There is some serious unrest in the kratom community. A Louisiana lawmaker, Senator, A.G. Crowe of district R-Pearl River, is proposing a kratom ban. On the WWLTV channel , see http://www.wwltv.com/news/northshore...139325763.html , the senator explains his reasons.
Poor knowledge and misunderstandings about the herb and the users are once more at the base of another crusade against a perfectly normal herb. Time for some public answers. The KA is preparing an open letter, which is included below and a petition is made available , please do sign the D0-not-ban-kratom petition and forward this to your friends.
The following letter is send to the Sentators office and will be published by press release in the comming days.
We are shocked to have learned of the proposal of Senator A.G. Crowe to pre-file a bill that would add Kratom to the list of controlled dangerous substances. This proposal seems to be based on some common misunderstandings which we would like to draw your attention to before this gets out of hand.
PEACE!
Asian leaf 'kratom' making presence felt in US emergency rooms By Kari Huus, msnbc When a patient showed up in a West Coast emergency room early this month suffering withdrawal from something he called "kratom," the psychiatrist on duty was forced to scramble for information. But when the doctor looked it up, she found that the opiate-like leaf from Southeast Asia is well known in the worlds of alternative medicine and the drug culture. What the doctor, who asked not to be named, found in an Internet search were Web pages set up by dozens of companies selling kratom leaf and touting it as a way to combat fatigue, pain and depression — even as an antidote to heroin addiction. But in addition to its possible medicinal uses, kratom is beginning to show up in U.S. emergency rooms, with doctors saying they are dealing with people sick from taking it — especially teens who try it to get high. "Every month somebody is trying to get a new 'safe high'," said Frank LoVecchio, medical director of the Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center in Phoenix, Ariz. "(Kratom) is definitely not safe."
It only takes a few niave individuals who don't research the substance and fail to respect it to ruin it for everyone. Public knowledge about kratom is still low so it hasn't caused too much controversy. And even if it makes it to the legal stage legislation will be limited to state governments and take months (maybe years) to be made into law. Hopefully they will understand that the medicinal benefits of kratom outweigh any negative aspects and simply regulate it rather than ban it. Just to be safe its probably best to enjoy kratom while it lasts.
If people stuck to the few reputable vendors who online who dont sell it as some sort of herbal high, then there would be less attantion given it.
People still insist in giving headshops and online smoke shops money for terrible products that bring kratoms image down to the level of a research chemical in the eyes of lawmakers and concerned parents.
Vendors need to be more responsible, and that also means they stop selling the more potent extracts and enhanced products that are causing some of the worst addictions and scares.
Too many people rely on kratom for legitimate pain managment and to help come off more potent and dangerous opiates. Its already been banned in far too many countrys. India just joined the list recently.
Boycot anyone who puts kratoms continued legality at risk. If they cant sell it, they wont stock it.
While I totally agree with ianzombie, I think the real fault lies with the illegality of substances, period, except for alcohol and tobacco.
Personally I have tried kratom, and it does help me with pain. But should I have to spend a junkie price to feel pain relief, ONLY because other substances are banned and they can jack up the price? Because If all drugs were legal, they would be cheaper, and cleaner, too. When that is the case, people will have pharmaceutical grade substances available, and those who CHOOSE a natural route will not have to pay DRUG prices.
Im not sure what that has to do with the proposed kratom ban in Louisiana?
People use kratom for pain because it works for them, and/or because it is legal and does not require prescriptions.
By Junkie price do you mean 'high' price?
Its price will vary greatly depending on where you buy it, however most people who intend on using it long term will do some research and find a quality vendor that sells it in bulk at low prices. People who want to check it out recreationally will do little research and buy from someone local, usually at stupidly high prices.
If people stuck to the few reputable vendors who online who dont sell it as some sort of herbal high, then there would be less attantion given it.
People still insist in giving headshops and online smoke shops money for terrible products that bring kratoms image down to the level of a research chemical in the eyes of lawmakers and concerned parents.
Vendors need to be more responsible, and that also means they stop selling the more potent extracts and enhanced products that are causing some of the worst addictions and scares.
Completely agree. A local headshop in my area has a radio commercial and lists kratom as one of its products over the air. Locally they're sold in capsules and herbal "shots" that are mixed along with a bunch of random ethnobotanicals like kanna and wild dagga. One shot is anywhere from $$ and does absolutely nothing for a typical user. But worse than this is the Kratom XL 15x capsules they sell; 15 capsules (about 15 grams) for $$ when 4 ounces of better quality (plain powdered leaf) can be found online for the same price.
Last edited by MrG; 12-06-2012 at 08:30.
Reason: Removal of price
Haha louisiana bans the stupidest stuff like damiana, sinicuichi, inebriating mint, morning glories (yes the entire plant), and datura (which probably grows wild there). I'm actually really surprised they haven't banned Kratom yet, considering what they have banned, like dream herb. That state is rediculous.
Check out "Louisiana State Act 159", it's one of the stupidest laws ever.
From the article:
Quote:
But, the manufacturer also warns if you take too much, you could suffer hallucinations, delusions, nausea and other health problems.
....i've never had hallucinations or delusions, obviously the manufacturer doesn't know what the hell he's talking about.
It seems like southern states have some real retards representing the people. I can't wait for all hell to break loose in this country.. it's only a matter of time.
I hate politics and politicians need to keep their large rich elite noses out of other people's business. Telling people what is ok to use and what isn't because somehow they know exactly what's safe and what isn't. This just grinds my gears to no end and I could complain to no end. But I will spare y'all out there.
Anyway, isn't the ban proposed to only make possession illegal for human consumption?
Anyway, isn't the ban proposed to only make possession illegal for human consumption?
If I understand you correctly, that's the situation before any ban, in that it's not legal to sell kratom explicitly for the purposes of human consumption.
In various jurisdictions around the world, including a couple of US states and the UK, there are proposals to make it illegal either to possess, or to import, or to sell. The end result would be pretty much the same - it will become impossible to obtain.
I hope it is allowed (please forgive me if not) but may I suggest concerned DFers take a few seconds to sign the general petition against banning kratom?
They had revised the legislation to allow the sale to adults 18+. While it's been discussed in the Senate that portion has been removed. It's SB 130 if you would like to review the text for yourself.
DIGEST
Crowe (SB 130)
Present law provides that it is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to produce,
manufacture, distribute, or possess with intent to produce, manufacture, distribute a material,
compound, mixture, or preparation which contains a prohibited plant which is intended to
either be:
(1) Placed in the oral or nasal cavity.
(2) Prepared in a manner to be suitable for smoking in a pipe, cigarette, or other device.
(3) Burned and inhaled or exhaled in any manner or form.
Proposed law adds "Mitragyna speciosa" to the definition of prohibited plant.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 40:989.2(C)(5)(m))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill.
1. Deletes all provisions making it unlawful to distribute Kratom to a person
under 18 years of age and for such persons to purchase or possess Kratom,
as well as the penalties for so doing.
2. Provides instead for the inclusion of "Mitragyna speciosa" in the definition
of prohibited plants in current law provisions prohibiting the possession,
production, manufacture, or distribution of prohibited plants and specified
derivatives as provided in the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances
Law.
I'm confused, it's been removd meaning that Kratom is no longer included in the bill or that the 18+ part was removed meaning its illegal for everyone?
They had revised the legislation to allow the sale to adults 18+. While it's been discussed in the Senate that portion has been removed. It's SB 130 if you would like to review the text for yourself.
DIGEST
Crowe (SB 130)
Present law provides that it is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to produce,
manufacture, distribute, or possess with intent to produce, manufacture, distribute a material,
compound, mixture, or preparation which contains a prohibited plant which is intended to
either be:
(1) Placed in the oral or nasal cavity.
(2) Prepared in a manner to be suitable for smoking in a pipe, cigarette, or other device.
(3) Burned and inhaled or exhaled in any manner or form.
Proposed law adds "Mitragyna speciosa" to the definition of prohibited plant.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 40:989.2(C)(5)(m))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill.
1. Deletes all provisions making it unlawful to distribute Kratom to a person
under 18 years of age and for such persons to purchase or possess Kratom,
as well as the penalties for so doing.
2. Provides instead for the inclusion of "Mitragyna speciosa" in the definition
of prohibited plants in current law provisions prohibiting the possession,
production, manufacture, or distribution of prohibited plants and specified
derivatives as provided in the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances
Law.
As usual these bills are so confusing in wording, when I read it it comes off as it is now illegal for anyone to possess kratom based on 2's text of "inclusion of mitragyna speciosa in the definition of prohibited plants" which sounds to me they are making kratom a prohibited substance/plant.
This is bad news for the kratom community because these laws are like dominoes, if one falls (passes) they all fall ( other states pass their own laws or big daddy makes it a federal offense). So even if it only affects louisiana right now it really marks the beginning of the end of kratom.
So the lawmakers are trusting this Dr, who knew nothing about kratom and turned to the internet, to tell them that this is not a safe plant? That sounds extremely rational.
/sarcasm
Just because some people wont properly research the substance they are going to use should not mean it should be ruined for others. Kratom has many benefits and some of those benefits are better than what any pills can do for some people's pain. I don't think ignorance should ruin its benefits for others in the future.
