Before Kratom, I was opioid dependent. Into my early 20’s I suffered a back injury that left me with debilitating and chronic pain. My medical doctor then began to prescribe me opiates at a very young age. I never abused my medication, always submitted to drug testing every month, and followed my doctors orders to a tee; however that didn’t stop this physician from cutting me off my medication cold turkey while I was dependent on this medication to have any sort of quality of life. His reasoning was justified since the DEA began to crack down on opioid prescribing even for those with chronic pain. After being opioid dependent I had no choice but to begin using illicit fentanyl I found on the street from acquaintances. This then began my addiction to fentanyl. I used this drug for 2 years without overdosing or dying, but I believe if I continued down the path it was a matter of time before I flatlined. I was introduced to kratom by a friend who suggested that it may help not only my withdrawals from addiction, but my chronic pain as well. It isn’t a miracle substance, but did alleviate the pain from my chronic issue and the withdrawls long enough for me to get clean from drugs. Kratom never once got me high! It literally just allows me to have a quality of life that any person is entitled to, no matter their health issues. Banning this plant, which is more related to coffee than opioids, will have severe consequences and I fear that the people of Virginia will turn back to using legal and illegal opioids like illicit fentanyl. This will have the blood on the hands of the Virginia government for those who just simply want to have a normal life. Instead of banning, consider passing laws in which will protect the people who consume kratom. Regulating this plant will ensure it’s safe and can be used properly by the millions of people who use this everyday to maintain healthy, drug free, and safe lives. 

Please keep kratom legal,

Johnathon Akers, Kratom Advocate