Speaking Truth to Misinformation: the ‘long’ game. [Updated]

When Victor and I started ETHA Natural Medicine, we knew we were taking a ‘long approach’ to starting our business. Instead of following a trend of capitalizing on a short-term arbitrage opportunity, we focused on what the kratom industry would ‘need’ to become a well-known mainstream product. ETHA’s vision and dedication to transparency, quantified testing results, regulatory standards, and proper labeling, from a business viewpoint, are costly and slow to grow. However, the continued passage of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) by various legislators indicates that ETHA Natural Medicine has a bright, exciting, and long-term future!

This short-term vs. long-term is mirrored in the general understanding of kratom. Sensational headlines that use conflict, controversy, and misinformation have spread fast with regards to kratom. The truth, which requires patients, evaluation, and debate, is making slow and steady progress. As facts and data are accurately summarized and presented to legislating entities, we are seeing sustained, long-term support for kratom in the form of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). Kratom has a bright, exciting, and long-term future, too!

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Progress in Protecting Kratom

·      Missouri House of Representatives Passes the Kratom Consumer Protection Act: 139-6

·      Oregon Senate Judiciary Committee Unanimously Approves HB 4013. The Oregon Legislature is now on track to pass their version of the KCPA that that provides for an age restriction, and the creation of a Task Force to determine the regulatory authority on how the controls on adulteration and labeling will be implemented.

·      Hawaii Legislation to Ban Kratom Dies in Committee. The sponsors of the proposed ban in Hawaii are very interested in learning more about the KCPA, and they agreed not to pursue any ban on kratom, and the bill died in Committee.

https://www.americankratom.org/mediak/news/kcpa-wins-and-encouraging-action-in-states-across-america.html

MISSISSIPPI SENATE DRUG POLICY COMMITTEE

REJECTS THE KRATOM BAN BILL AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSES THE SUBSTITUTE KRATOM CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT. [3/3/2020]

Earlier today, the Senate Judiciary B Committee, and the House Drug Policy Committee declined to put either the two proposed House ban bills or the newly amended Senate KCPA bill on the agenda for a vote. That effectively allowed all the kratom bills to die in Committee since today was the deadline for bills to be approved for consideration by the other body. [3/4/2020]

THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

PASSES THE KRATOM CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT ON A UNANIMOUS VOTE OF 97-0

Thank you to all kratom advocates for sharing your stories.