The United Nations (UN) published their opinion on an international kratom ban. The Executive Committee on Drug Dependency (ECDD), a committee under the World Health Organization (WHO), said kratom should not receive an international ban on December 7. They report “insufficient evidence” to warrant an in-depth critical review of kratom at this time.
“People report using kratom to self-medicate a variety of disorders and conditions, including pain, opioid withdrawal, opioid use disorder, anxiety and depression,” ECDD explained. “Kratom is being used as a part of traditional medicine in some countries.
“The Committee considered information regarding the traditional use and investigation into possible medical applications of kratom,” the report continued. “The Committee concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend a critical review of kratom.”
For now, the W.H.O. will continue to monitor kratom for the next two to three years. Then the committee will reevaluate the kratom situation and determine if a critical review towards a potential international ban is necessary.
Activist Response
Members from the American Kratom Association (AKA) cheered in response to ECDD’s vote. Mac Haddow, the senior fellow on public policy, said it’s “all around a great outcome for science.
“The big problem with kratom today in the United States,” Haddow continued, “is a poorly regulated market because the FDA has been sitting on their hands, and it empowers bad actor kratom vendors to adulterate kratom products with dangerous substances like fentanyl, heroin and morphine.”
Haddow also commented during ECDD’s original comment period, saying that the push towards an international kratom ban is the FDA. “Although we didn’t hear the anti-kratom speakers today, the FDA will have the ability to make their views on kratom known as a part of the member-state submissions. However, based on the strong presentations made on the science of kratom during the presentations this morning, I believe we have established the position that the FDA is unfairly biased against kratom.”
Earlier this year, the FDA tried to ban kratom in the U.S. by placing it on the Schedule I drug list. However, the AKA, along with other kratom supporters, swarmed the FDA’s comment forum. They called on the FDA to not schedule the plant, but to research it.
Future
With kratom receiving international monitoring, this is the chance for organizations, like the FDA, to create a regulatory framework. As Haddow said, kratom in the U.S. is unregulated. If kratom receives regulation, more opportunities for the plant will surface. Kratom could offer its medical potential to individuals seeking help for opioid addiction and pain upon regulation.
U.S. lawmakers have also urged the FDA, along with the DEA and CDC, to continue to study kratom. It should not become a Schedule I substance. The House Appropriations Committee even directed Health and Human Services to refrain from requesting a Schedule I listing for kratom. Keeping kratom off the Schedule I list will make research and clinical trials much easier. Cannabis is currently experiencing research obstacles because of it’s Schedule I status.
Should more information surrounding kratom and any research results surface, we will update you with the latest.
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