Recently, both the FDA and the DEA have tried to ban the production and sale of kratom within the United States and internationally. In 2016, the DEA dropped its proposed ban to allow researchers more time to study the plant. The FDA, on the other hand, is working on a potential international ban. But what is kratom and why are federal agencies seemingly desperate to ban the product?

History

Kratom is a tree typically found in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. The leaves of the tree are believed to connect to the same nerve cells as opioid painkillers, which helps the plant act the same as opioids. Traditionally, the plant’s leaves helped in Asian medicine to reduce inflammation and pain. People consumed the leaves by chewing on the tree leaves, or brewing the leaves in tea.

However, in recent years, kratom sales have increased in the U.S. thanks to the vitamin and health supplement market. Many companies market kratom as an opioid substitute that is safer and less harmful than prescription opioids. However, there’s a distinct lack of research into the potential benefits of the plant and its leaves. 

Advocates

While the FDA is attempting to urge the United Nations on banning the opioid-like substance internationally, kratom advocates are stepping forward to oppose it. “The FDA’s request for public comments on a matter of such importance involving the international scheduling of kratom is an extraordinary abuse of their authority,” said Mac Haddow. He is a senior fellow of public policy at the American Kratom Association (AKA). 

The FDA offered public input on their potential international ban on kratom. However, a deadline of August 9 to turn in public comments left little time for “scientists, public policy makers and consumers to provide responses that are well researched and responsive to the complex requirements for data and information that will be considered by the WHO Expert Committee.”

But the AKA came through. On August 9th, the organization submitted over 50,000 comments to the FDA from kratom supporters who oppose an international ban. The AKA led a large-scale effort to collect tens of thousands of comments, even with an artificially compressed schedule which only allowed the public 17 days to make comments. The FDA extended the comment period until August 24 after AKA filed a complaint about the lack of time for public input. 

Future

Moving forward, there are still concerns the FDA will continue to pursue kratom as a banned substance. However, experts say banning a substance thought to be less harmful than most prescription drugs would only make things worse. However, more research is a must. Making kratom a banned substance would decrease the amount of research available. This is similar to the situation psychedelics and cannabis are going through currently in the states. 

Should the FDA release another opinion, we will update you with the latest. 

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