On August 31st the DEA irresponsibly placed the active compounds in kratom, Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine, into Schedule I, effective September 30.
Kratom is a tropical plant in the coffee family from Southeast Asia that has been used to help those suffering from opioid withdrawal for centuries.
Without a serious scientific investigation the DEA intends to subject anyone caught with kratom to long prison terms and mandatory sentencing. This DEA action threatens to halt all scientific investigations into kratom’s medicinal benefits in part because it will become illegal to import the kratom needed for research purposes.
With America currently suffering from an overdose epidemic linked to opioids, the DEA is criminalizing a plant many people use to help with opioid withdrawal. If the DEA gets its way, more people who struggle with addiction could be criminalized, which is exactly the opposite direction we should be going.
As your constituent I ask that you please act immediately to halt the DEA’s irresponsible action to place kratom on the list of Schedule I drugs.
Other Links:
45 Congressman Ask the DEA Not to Ban Kratom
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