The valid risks associated with kratom use far outweigh the potential benefits to our society. The opioid epidemic has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and has negatively impacted the lives of countless others. 

“In the United States, there were approximately 109,600 drug-overdose-related deaths in the 12-month period ending January 31, 2023, at a rate of 300 deaths per day. From 1999 to 2020, nearly 841,000 people died from drug overdoses, with prescription and illicit opioids responsible for 500,000 of those deaths. In 2017 alone, there were 70,237 recorded drug overdose deaths; of those deaths, 47,600 involved an opioid. A report from December 2017 estimated that 130 people die every day in the United States due to opioid-related drug overdose. The great majority of Americans who use prescription opioids do not believe that they are misusing them.”

Of the treatment options available to opioid-dependent people, kratom is one of the safest and most accessible options. The active alkaloid in kratom is not a true opioid, but an entirely different type of substance that mildly affects opioid receptors in the body, thus mitigating withdrawal symptoms, but with far fewer side-effects and less risk of long-term dependence  compared to other commonly recommended  treatments. I have personally known people who claim that KRATOM SAVED THEIR LIVES.

Some people have valid concerns about the overall safety and efficacy of kratom. However, as previously stated, the benefits outweigh the risks significantly. More  importantly, the scheduling of this substance at the Schedule 1 level will DIRECTLY IMPEDE SCIENTIFIC  RESEARCH. It is not impossible to conduct scientific studies on Schedule 1 substances, but the restrictions and regulations often deter researchers from even attempting to do so. We will not be able to learn more about kratom’s safety and efficacy if research is hindered.

WHO BENEFITS from the scheduling of kratom? The pharmaceutical industry directly profits from people’s addiction to opioids. When people become dependent and want to quit, the available options for treatment happen to be other pharmaceutical drugs. The drug manufacturers win either way. Kratom directly affects their profits because it’s safe, effective, and available. There is clear demand for it. But instead of conducting research on this clearly beneficial and potentially life-saving substance, the drug companies  fight tooth-and-nail to have it made illegal. Why? BECAUSE ITS NOT ADDICTIVE ENOUGH FOR THEM TO MAKE MONEY OFF IT. Believe you me when I say they are salivating at the thought of making kratom illegal. If they succeed, we will see a huge spike of cases of opioid dependence and opioid-related deaths.

The “war on drugs” has been a massive failure since its inception. It has caused more harm than good. It’s time to end this insanity. Choose education. Choose liberty. Choose humanity.