Mitragyna Speciosa, also known as Kratom is a substance that is obtained naturally from a tree leaf native to southeast Asia. The extracts have analgesic and opioid-like properties.

It has been used in pain medication and drug addiction recovery in the United States. It is also used as culinary in some parts of the world and a part of delicacy in Thailand.

This stimulant has dramatically increased the quality of life for millions of people. It has improved their mental health and has helped in alleviating physical stress.

Kratom is also known for reducing depression, anxiety as well as enhances the mood in people. Medical practitioners have prescribed it for its stimulant-like properties.

While kratom’s benefits are well known, there have been recent media reports that have accused the substance to have caused drug overdose deaths. Legal authorities have not appropriately investigated the matter, and some states have moved to ban kratom.

A few years ago, DEA classified kratom as a scheduled substance along the likes of heroin. FDA also has considered a ban on kratom based on the data it has collected in the hospitals.

However, there is no solid research which can prove that kratom consumption can have any adverse side effects, which can outlaw it by the government. Most states have already classified kratom as a food substance.

Current Status of Kratom Legality In Georgia

As of February 2018, Kratom is legal in Georgia. A bill has been passed in the legislature removing kratom from scheduled substances list.

The state is encouraging the active research into the benefits of kratom through its initiatives.

It has also allocated funds for the academic study of the substance to know its potential uses to the broader community. This move has been considered as a positive development in the efforts to legalize kratom in the united states.

It is primarily due to the efforts of the kratom supporter community who have rallied together to show that millions of Americans are dependent on this substance for leading healthy lives.

They have urged the government to look at the matter with full perspective. The data collected from the drug overdose cases do not prove kratom’s involvement beyond doubt.

A scientific study is required to understand the cause of the deaths rather than blindly banning kratom. Apparently, their plea has been heard by the legislators and in the latest rulings related to scheduled substances kratom has been removed from the ban.

Georgia has passed three new bills that are directed towards creating a Joint Study committee on studying the pharmacological effects of kratom on the human body and its potential uses. Georgia is currently under news for kratom as it has proactively acted on understanding the actual results of kratom.

The legislative community has a strongly favorable view on the potential of kratom to be a painkiller. Also added to this is the fact that there have been no incidents of kratom leading to direct physical harm.

Kratom has been used all over the world for medical purposes for hundreds of years without any reported side effects. It is believed that its unfamiliarity in the United States is responsible for the stigmas that surround the substance.

It has been identified that the kratom’s removal from the list of controlled substances in HB-783 was a win for kratom advocates in the state.

This means that the legislators are willing to listen to the pleas and arguments of the people about which substances are harmful based on facts and scientific research rather than let sensationalism cloud their objectivity.

Currently, kratom has passed its trial in Georgia state and has emerged a winner. Its use is now considered safe for the near future barring any unlikely developments.

Kratom Availability In Georgia

Since kratom is not banned in Georgia, it is available in local smoke shops across Georgia.

Kratom can also be bought from online websites. The prices in the online stores are less compared to local shops. The quality is even better compared to other shops.

However, users need to be aware of cheap quality kratom mixtures. Since there are no specific guidelines about the manufacturing of kratom, some manufacturers use non-standard ingredients in the kratom medicine.

These problems need to be addressed by FDA and other government agencies so that people can be assured of kratom’s safety.

Conclusion

Georgia has taken a productive step in making legislation that encourages research around the use of kratom. It has understood the requirements of its citizens and has created laws that are beneficial to the community as a whole.

It is essential for lawmakers to listen to its citizens before crafting a law that can affect the lives of millions of people.

Many scientists, academics, and kratom users have known the positive effects of kratom first hand. That is why they are not giving up on the substance.

They understand that kratom is the only lifeline for millions of drug addicts who are recovering from abuse. Kratom ban could plunge them back into drugs and destroy their lives forever.

Therefore, it is necessary to take the citizen’s priorities into account and take legislative decisions. While kratom is legal in Georgia now, the fight is not over. Kratom has been banned in few states.

The situation can be changed only by having proper study about the substance and the proactive involvement of the government in educating people about its uses.

• http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20152016/HB/783

On Tuesday, May 22, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to three Kratom companies who were reportedly involved in illegal distribution of Kratom. The companies made deceptive claims that their product can treat Opioid addiction Opiate withdrawal symptoms.

According to FDA, the companies have been using illegal marketing strategies for the sale of their products. FDA said that Kratom has been involved in dozens of deaths and has effects similar to that of other narcotics especially Opiates.

To the world, which is unaware of Kratom, it is an herb that is native to various countries of Southeast Asia. Traditionally, it has been used for centuries by local farmers to relieve pain and get rid of fatigue.

The leaves of the plant have an active alkaloid known as Mitragynine which is known to produce the stimulant effect. At higher doses, the same alkaloid produces sedation.

Gradually, this herb got famous and got entrance to the Western world where many did get benefit from the use of Kratom. Seeing, that it was unregulated, the FDA and DEA took strict actions.

Back in 2016. The DEA even imposed a ban on Kratom and placed it under Schedule I substances. This resulted in a massive outcry from the Kratom users especially American Kratom Association, who were of the view that Kratom is a safe substance and has immense potential in the world of medicine, provided proper scientific research is carried on it.

AKA has been advocating for the legalization of Kratom in all states of Kratom and has Kratom vendors to be very vigilant while selling Kratom products to avoid any mishap.

It has also refused to accept the claims of the FDA that Kratom is like an Opiate and the side effects, as well as effects of Kratom, are similar to that of Opiates. It has tried to regulate the sale of Kratom and ensured maximum transparency.

The AKA is also willing to help the FDA with research on Kratom to assess the benefits of Kratom as a medicinal substance for Opiate withdrawal and treatment of Chronic Pain.

The companies that have been issued warning letters this time include Kratom Spot of Irvine, Revibe Inc of Kansas City, Missouri and Front Range Kratom of Aurora, Colorado. The companies were selling unapproved Kratom-containing drug substances that had unproven claims.

In a statement, the FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said: “Despite our warnings that no kratom product is safe, we continue to find companies selling kratom and doing so with deceptive medical claims for which there’s no reliable scientific proof to support their use.” Scott added that more than 65 Kratom products were included in the warning letters, some of which claimed to treat pain, cancer, decrease neuron damage, lower blood pressure, etc.

The FDA spokesperson told that these companies have been selling products on their website and various social media networking accounts with such deceptive marketing claims.

The FDA isn’t aware of these benefits of Kratom. FDA told that Kratom is an analog of Opiate and instead of treating addiction, it causes dependence and addiction, therefore, it is a threat to the public health.

Though Kratom is not placed under the Federal Controlled Substance as yet, it is a drug of concern for the FDA. The FDA has not approved any of the medical uses that are being claimed for marketing of the product.

FDA has requested these three companies to respond within 15 working days, and in case the violation is not corrected, it may result in law enforcement action which includes seizure or injunction.

Earlier this year FDA contacted Revibe to recall all their products after it was found that their products were contaminated with Salmonella.

Previously FDA also had sent warning letters to CBD companies which included Stanley Brothers Social Enterprises LLC, which does business as CW Hemp, of Colorado Springs, Colo; That’s Natural Marketing & Consulting, of Pueblo, Colo; Green Roads Health, of Pembroke Pines, Fla; and Natural Alchemist, of El Dorado Hills, Calif. The FDA claimed that they are increasingly concerned about products that are claiming to treat ailments like cancer.

FDA rejected the idea of classifying CBD as a dietary supplement by the Investigational New Drug Applications submitter for CBD containing drugs known as Epidiolex and Sativex.
FDA also sent such warning letters to CBD companies back in 2015 and 2016.

The FDA was of the view that these companies are selling CBD claiming that it can cure cancer and all other types of diseases but they have no proof. The FDA stated that they would treat any marijuana-related product as a substance of abuse and this means that they won’t spare CBD either.

Kratom advocates have resurfaced once again, and they are defending Kratom because of the beneficial effects they have observed. According to them, their life has substantially improved after taking Kratom for pain, depression or anxiety. For them, it’s a ray of light.

Many users on drug forums and Reddit have shared their encounters about Kratom. They claim it is not addictive and it doesn’t cause dependence. Thus, it shouldn’t be labeled as an Opiate.

It is a safe substance which has no serious side effects, and if taken in small regulated dose it can help with symptoms of Opiate withdrawal, relieve chronic pain, alleviate anxiety, stress, and depression, as well as overcome insomnia.

So far none of the three companies have responded to the warning letters issued to them, and out of three, two companies including Kratom Spot and Front Range Kratom of Aurora have refused to comment while the third company is not reachable up till now.

However, it is necessary that the Kratom marketing companies state facts about Kratom in line with the regulations laid down by the FDA.

This can prevent any violation of the FDA and also allow the users to go for informed consent. Self-policing approach can help in legalizing Kratom.