Unlike typical opioids, Kratom does not cause respiratory depression and can be a therapeutic supplement for so many different conditions.

Making kratom illegal in Virginia would only negatively impact citizens of Virginia.

If kratom were to become illegal, many users would be driven to less safe alternatives. If public health is the driver behind the desire to make kratom illegal, then know that by removing this supplement from the legal market, some consumers of kratom will be driven by pain of chronic conditions to seek out alternatives that are objectively dangerous. 

Scheduling kratom: would be a net negative for public health; would restrict adults’ freedom to leverage of valuable supplement. Instead, propose legislation that demands safe manufacturing practices the same way other states have done to ensure constituents can only purchase from reputable vendors. 

Please do not move forward with a supplement that has helped so many Virginians.