Due to a bad accident and autoimmune issues I have very severe arthritis. Six years ago I was told I needed a hip replacement. Being an avid runner this was devastating news. I was told to alternate Ibuprofen and Tylenol. Ibuprofen affected my kidneys very negatively and my kidney function experienced a significant decline plus I got gastritis. Holding off on a hip replacement (I am still relatively young) I was put on opioids. Every month I had to have a visit with the pain doctor paying my copay and getting drug tested to get my prescription. This was expensive and time consuming. I experienced many side-effects from the opioids like constipation and the same dose quickly was no longer effective. This is when I watched the movie "A Leaf of Faith" and discovered Kratom. I am trained in the medical field and always research extensively what I put in my body. Long story short: with help of Kratom I am now off opioids for 4.5 years. I also take turmeric and eat an anti-inflammatory diet. I am back to running and am mostly pain free with a small dose of Kratom. I only buy Kratom from vendors listed on the AKA website and only use the ground leaf, just the way nature made it. I am active again. Most exciting is that my last MRI showed an improvement of my hip arthritis from severe to moderate. If Kratom were banned I do not know what I would do. I can't go back to ruining my kidneys or liver with Ibuprofen or Tylenol. I do not want to get back on opioids or get a hip replacement. It would also be terrible for persons without health insurance. They likely would result to buying medication on the streets and opioid deaths would skyrocket even more. PLEASE do NOT make Kratom illegal. It is helping thousands of people. Please consider the research that has been done on Kratom and weigh this into the decision. I have not had a single adverse reaction. I never had to increase the dose. I can stop Kratom without problems when my pain is improved. Kratom has given me a pain free and active life back and I am very grateful.