This ridiculous war on Kratom has been on my mind everyday. I haven't seen so much deliberate misinformation since WMDs in Iraq. I am working on a flyer, that will also be an image file for people to post and share. To post in comments sections and respond with facts in one shot. Here is the draft so far, sorry that it gets into the weeds of personal feelings and on the offense but I've had enough. It's time to get the off our heels and start pushing back! Please feel free to challenge anything I am saying here or anything I should add before I finalize this:

Kratom alone has never killed anyone. [1]
Kratom is mildly addictive. [2]
Kratom is healthy in moderate doses. [3]
Kratom is a natural pain killer and anti-depressant. [4, 5]
Kratom is not a powerful narcotic or an opioid. [6]
Kratom does not impair driving. [7]
Kratom helps millions of people everyday with chronic pain and other ailments. [5, 8]
Kratom has helped millions of drug addicts quit hard and dangerous drugs for good. [9, 10]
Many quit Kratom as well with no issues. [2]
24 US states protect Kratom and it’s users with various common sense regulations. (KCPA) [11]
5+ Million people have used Kratom responsibly in the US for over 20 years. [12, 13]

Because Kratom is a natural plant, it cannot be owned by a pharma company.
Their synthetic Frankenstein drugs are trademarked and protected for profit.

Pushing for a Kratom ban is irresponsible & dangerous!
My entire generation was erased by real drugs. Don’t talk to me about dangers. THE DAMAGE IS DONE. Since Kratom became more available, opioid overdose deaths have finally begun to come down. [14] Banning Kratom will result in an immediate public health crisis as millions lose access to a safe and reliable plant (usually with no plan or support in place). [15] Anytime a state bans Kratom, overdose deaths skyrocket [16]

Alcohol is sold in gas stations and kills 200k Americans every year. [17]
Tobacco: 500,000k /year. [18]
Raw Kratom Leaf: 0 (ever). [1]

A war on Kratom is a war on laborers, poor, & working class people. Blue collar, white collar, Red state or blue state. Thousands of normal hardworking Americans have been snatched up by states that have Kratom bans. Some have been killed in prison or sentenced to 30+ years for possessing a bottle purchased a few miles away in a legal state. Personal use amounts have been compared to hard drug powder and severe “trafficking” charges have destroyed lives and families. [19, 20] Your reckless war on Kratom wreaks absolute havoc on your own country and your neighbors while you sit back and push big pharma and prison industrial agendas to make yourself feel better. You should be ashamed and embarrassed for being so uninformed and so irresponsible.

Sorry that you don’t feel safe with a plant being sold in a gas station. Maybe it’s time to grow up and get over yourself and your posturing. Trying to make the world how you want... you are the danger, and you are going to get people k**led is what you never understood. People should be allowed to make responsible decisions about their own health without going through the for profit medical system. We don't need FDA or doctor approval to know Kratom is safe and healthy.

I believe in this plant so much, that every adult should try a small dose of Kratom at least once to fully understand it’s benefits. Especially people who want to ban it. You will find the thing you feared so much was nothing but an invention in your mind. Kratom is the cure for many things, and has the potential to change the world by liberating people from these corrupt and captured institutions.

SOURCES

[1] The acute adverse health effects of kratom: an evaluation of case reports https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12425911/
[2] Singh et al. “Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) dependence, withdrawal symptoms and craving in regular users.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30614408/
[3] Heywood, Smallets & Paustenbach. “Beneficial and adverse health effects of kratom: A critical review.” Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39134135/ ; Prevete et al. Human mitragynine safety study. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12084173/
[4] Vicknasingam et al. “Kratom and Pain Tolerance: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7309661/
[5] “Kratom Use for Self-Management of Pain: Cross-Sectional and Ecological Momentary Assessment Data.” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11781972/
[6] Obeng et al. “Investigation of the Adrenergic and Opioid Binding Affinities of Selected Kratom Alkaloids.” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9130800/
[7] Zamarripa et al. “Effects of Kratom on Driving.” Traffic Injury Prevention, 2024. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11149710/
[8] Grundmann. “Patterns of Kratom Use and Health Impact in the United States.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28521200/
[9] “Kratom as a Substitute for Opioids: Results from an Online Survey.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31284119/
[10] “Kratom and Opioid Withdrawal: Preclinical Evidence.” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9285932/
[11] Kratom Laws by State: https://restoration-recovery.com/resources/kratom-laws-by-state-2026.html
[12] CDC. National estimates of kratom use. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/75/wr/mm7511a1.htm
[13] Heywood et al. Traditional use and kratom research review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39134135/
[14] CDC. “U.S. Overdose Deaths Declined in 2024.” https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/releases/20250514.html
[15] Kansans dealing with statewide Kratom ban https://www.ksnt.com/capitol-bureau/youre-not-alone-local-group-says-many-kansans-dealing-with-kratom-withdrawals-after-statewide-ban-takes-effect/
[16] Kratom bans directly increased opioid overdose mortality in five out of the six states analyzed https://ir.library.louisville.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5152&context=etd
[17] CDC. Excessive alcohol use and deaths. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7308a1.htm
[18] CDC. Smoking and health. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/
[19] NEA Report. Marshall Ray Price in-custody death and kratom-related sentence. https://neareport.com/2022/12/09/in-custody-death-of-greene-county-man-devastates-family/
[20] Tri-City Ledger. Shaina Megan Brown kratom trafficking case. https://www.tricityledger.com/story/2023/04/06/news/kratom-leads-to-trafficking-charge-in-ala/5807.html

I'm gathering some more anecdotal evidence for videos I make fighting misinformation. If multiple answers are the same thats great because I'm trying to see how the community feels overall.

What are you seeing that makes you feel there's an agenda to get Kratom banned?

What is it about Kratom that makes you feel what's being said is untrue?

Or feel free to share any opinions on the matter.

I'm curious as to how others feel about this. I'm genuinely trying to understand the opposition perspective. How do these nonprofits start, what are their initial intentions, and how do their motivations and the overall morality of their actions change over time?

The more I see them put their face out in public, in the name of honoring their late adult children, the more it feels like this isn't about honoring their children at all. It seems to become more like they're using the death of their child as an excuse to get attention and go on an ego trip.

The notion that the world should stop because they suffered a loss is a fairly self-centered one. Their frustrated responses to the pushback from us sounds like virtue signaling, and frustration at lawmakers who don't do what they want sounds like entitlement.

I'm intentionally leaving out any potential alternative motives that are more conspiratorial in nature. I'm just looking at this from the perspective of the actions I see them taking publicly. Perhaps they started out with more legit intentions, then as the issue grew, became more political, gained outside influence, etc they lost sight of what they were doing it for?

Please avoid any attempt to frame people as good or evil. This is about understanding from my end.

Hey Michigan,

I’m Beth and I’ve been a natural Kratom consumer for 11 years.

I was just in Washington, D.C. and had the chance to join the American Kratom Association on Capitol Hill. Being there made one thing very clear: the groups pushing for bans and restrictions are organized and working hard. We need to match that energy here at home.
In Michigan right now we have a real fork in the road:
• House Bill 5537 already passed the House and would ban the production, sale, and distribution of kratom (including natural leaf). It’s sitting in the Senate.
• Senate Bill 1181 takes the opposite approach — sensible regulation with labeling, testing, age limits, and a ban on high-7-OH and synthetic products while protecting natural leaf.
At the same time, several local governments are already banning or restricting sales, and more are looking at it.
I’m starting a Michigan-focused advocacy group for people who want to protect access to natural leaf kratom under clear, responsible rules instead of a blanket ban. The goal is practical: coordinate outreach to legislators, show up when it matters, share accurate information, and make sure our side is actually heard.
If you’ve used natural leaf for pain, focus, or as a personal alternative that works for you — or if you just believe adults should have access under proper regulations — I’d like to connect. Even if you only have a little time, every person helps.
Drop a comment or send a DM if you’re interested in helping get this off the ground. Looking for people who want to stay focused, factual, and effective.
We saw what’s possible when people show up in D.C. Now it’s time to do the same work in Michigan.

Watch here…

https://www.youtube.com/live/fxHuuPHXTNI?si=wpk_tDEYa0jGjH9q

I am visiting with a close relative this week in a certain southern state. An ironic sentence for this topic, indeed but I don't need to divulge too much for the sake of complicating things for moderators and my own Reddit anonymity. My relative is the highest ranking person in his little part of the state for veterans affairs. I never divulge my kratom use to anyone, even family because of the stigma it comes with but I had the conversation yesterday. He is very interested because all he has heard is the "gas station heroin" nonsense in passing. Today he asked me again about it and was very interested since he himself is much older and has to use pain meds on a regular basis and hates that doctors will not prescribe the stuff that actually works anymore. My sister is also here and works in healthcare and surprisingly only knows about kratom from some friends of hers who abuse the synthetic trash. It is not surprising that the general public doesn't know about our side of the story but I was very surprised how much I had to explain to them and their whole outlook immediately changed. Last time they saw me I was a 250 pound alcoholic and now I'm under 210, in good shape for my age and up at 6:30 on a Saturday morning. They know I'm not a drug addict. I don't know where I'm going with this but I can't help but think if I had the conversation sooner, would we have had some allies in this state during all the debate? Just food for thought.

Anyone have any experience traveling to Canada with Kratom?

Hi everyone.

I wrote this harm reduction info card for kratom. This is the newest of a series of drug information cards I began creating back in 1999 when I founded DanceSafe. I am no longer with DanceSafe. (They are not what they used to be.) Today, I work for a new nonprofit called Grassroots Harm Reduction, founded by a bunch of former DanceSafe chapters who defected after all the corruption happened.

In any case, the back side has nonjudgmental health and safety information. Check it out.

We sell these along with the other cards in the series and they are pretty popular. There's also T-shirt versions on the website too.

I hope you like it.

Emanuel Sferios

I have given kratom multiple chances ranging from dosages of 3 g to upwards of 40 g. I give it months before I ever try it again so I don't have any tolerance ever. I have never felt anything I even take it on an empty stomach. I have tried 7oh back in the day and still don't even feel that I've done a hundred milligrams of that and I don't feel it at all. I don't use any painkillers or pills I don't even smoke weed so why is this okay

I'm looking it up for pain management. But was scared about testimonies and it's withdrawal. I was already wrecked by benzo withdrawal before...

I am about to order loose Leaf and am wondering how does one even prepare it? Will a French press work for it? If so, how long do I leave it steeping? How does one prepare it on a pot? Please give me answers people!!! :!

It was some anti kratom flyer that might have been posted by a group with “end kratom” something in the name (can’t find the group or pic).

most noticeably, it had an Associated Press logo in the top left of the image. There was no news article linked, nothing at all to suggest any of the info came from AP. I’m looking for it to do a reverse image search or research where it came from.

im fascinated by what advocacy group would have the gall to make it look like it was some official AP press release. we all can have our suspicions, but it was so blatant it took me by surprise.

Hi all. I’m planning to go to Nepal & kratom “is not explicitly listed or regulated as a controlled narcotic under Nepal’s primary drug regulation”

I was planning to bring powdered (i usually take kratom caps) in a bag that resembles powdered kratom.

I wanted to know your guys’ thought & opinions on that.

Thank you !

Good evening everyone. I have a question regarding state taxes and kratom. I had a photo to upload but couldn't get it to work. And no, I will not tell you where to buy it.

So I ordered some Kratom 2 days ago. It is being shipped to Ohio from Iowa. Now, I'm not sure if this is a real thing or I'm just stupid, but I noticed my total payment was way higher then the original product pricing. They are charging me to what seems to be extra taxes.

They are Ohio state tax, Franklin county tax, and central Ohio transit authority tax. Can they do that? It is coming from Iowa to Ohio, but I'm being charged "Ohio taxes" And I call bullshit on the Ohio transit authority tax. I would understand if it was an Ohio product being sold in Ohio but, well here we are.

Could someone please clarify this. Thanks!

All the ban states don’t have legal weed. Like if you look at the states with ban no legal weed once you break down the legal weed door banning plants make no sense. It’s just interesting to note Mississippi who cares about the poorest state in America

Has anyone noticed an increase in the prevalence of Sublocade commercials since the 7oH ban? I've never seen a Sublocade commercial before in my life and suddenly started seeing them like every other commercial break. Do you think these two things are related or is this just a coincidence?

I want to experience the low dose stimulation effects but I have red maeng da

i took 2g the day before yesterday. then yesterday i took 0.5g.

i would likely to take 2g again today. is that already too much? i really dont want it to become a habit or get addicted

So I'm from a place where we have kava bars all over and I've only ever had kratom teas. I'm leaving town and picked up a package of capsules 650 mg per capsule. What would you compare that to a standard tea amount?

I have been using Kratom for about a year now but have always found it to be very finicky I had to slowly up my dose to 8-10g before I ever noticed any effects. Even then, it would take 2-3 hours before kicking in. For the last few months the effects have pretty much vanished for me. Sometimes I get a small amount of energy, but most of the time feel nothing at all.

I have started to wonder if this could be because I take omeprazole every morning. I have GERD and this is the only thing my doctor and I have found that works for me. I was just curious if other folks who take PPIs have had similar issues?

I would like to start kratom taking 2g, 3 times per day for improvig my mood.

At this frequency I worry a bit about tolerance.

But I've read that there are some supplements that can help reduce/prevent tolerance to opioids and kratom.

For example, agmatine, magnesium threonate/glycinate, curcumin are some I've read can help.

Which supplements do you recommend?

Going to LA this weekend and was going to bring some leaf with me. Glad I looked it up cause I guess they banned selling it there. But I can't find anything about just having it. Anybody have experience with this? Were you ok bringing it through flight and such. Thanks in advance!

Anybody else take Kratom with Subutex? Will it interfere with each other?