Kratom in the USA: How the Community Fought Bans – and Won

In August 2016 the US DEA published a notice in the Federal Register: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine were to be placed in Schedule I – the same category as heroin and LSD. Emergency scheduling without public comment, effective within 30 days. What followed was without precedent in US drug policy.

The mobilization

Within days: more than 140,000 signatures on an online petition. Eight US senators and representatives sent a letter to the DEA. Scientists filed comments at short notice. Media reported on kratom for the first time. Veterans and people with chronic illnesses told their stories.

The DEA withdrawal – October 2016

Less than two months later, the DEA withdrew the notice. More than 23,000 public comments had been filed, the overwhelming majority against a ban. Kratom remained legal at federal level.

The FDA round in 2018

FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb publicly described kratom as an opioid and called for stricter regulation. The American Kratom Association responded again with lobbying and a scientific rebuttal. This attempt, too, did not lead to a national ban.

What this means

Citizens’ movements can achieve something in drug policy when they are well organized, argue factually and are broadly networked. Veterans and chronically ill people had faces and stories; that changed the political dynamic.

Relevance for Europe

What is debated inside US agencies influences EU institutions. Europe’s kratom community can learn from this: factual argument, reference to science and broad alliances are more effective than protest alone.

Legal notice

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Its content is not intended to encourage consumption. Laws may change; the applicable regulations and information from official bodies are authoritative. Image source: https://www.kratoein.com/

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