The Fight for Botanicals
The latest news on the legalization of controversial botanicals.
Author: Matthew
Kratom Legality 2020: What Is The Legal Status of Kratom In The US?
The issue of Kratom legality is still a debate in few of the states of the US. The picture has become a bit clear from 2016 till today.
Most of the US states have legalized the usage of Kratom due to its medicinal properties, but there are still few states which are barring the people to either sell or buy it.
What Is Kratom?
What is KratomMitragyna Speciosa also known as Kratomis a natural plant that grows in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Papua New Guinea. It is a tropical evergreen which belongs to the coffee family and mostly found in Southeast Asia.
Primarily it's grown in the southern or central regions of Thailand and it has been historically used as an opium substitute. Various American folks are interested in developing their own plants from the seeds, to save the cost as well as to control their supply.
Keep reading at Kratom Guides.
Board of Supervisors approve ordinance banning Kratom, synthetic opioids in Lafayette County
After the City of Oxford banned the sale of Kratom and other synthetic opioids 16 months ago, those products are also banned in Lafayette County.
During their first regular meeting of 2021 on Monday, the Board of Supervisors approved a new ordinance, prohibiting the use, purchase, possession, distribution, sale or offering for sale of synthetic opioids or other synthetic products.
The ordinance was proposed by Lafayette County Sheriff Joey East and Alex Fauver, commander of the Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit.
In August 2019, Oxford's Board of Aldermen approved a similar ordinance proposed by Oxford police chief Jeff McCutchen.
Since the City prohibited the selling of Kratom and similar synthetic products, East said stores in the county have begun selling those products in the last few months.
Read more at oxfordeagle.com
A ruling is imminent on the legality of a controversial drug that's used to treat addiction — but some have called it a 'dangerous opioid'
A final decision on the legality of a controversial drug is expected imminently from the US government.
The drug, called Kratom, has pitted government regulators against scientists and advocates. The Food and Drug Administration has called it a dangerous opioid and sought to ban it by making it a Schedule 1 drug like heroin or ecstasy. Some advocates say it's helped them end their addiction to opioids, and scientists want to keep exploring its potential as a medical treatment.
Right now, researchers at the DEA are evaluating the two main components in kratom. They will either rule the same for both ingredients, effectively banning all forms of kratom nationwide, or they will ban one and make the other potentially available as a medicine at a later date. That's according to Melvin Patterson, a spokesperson with the Drug Enforcement Administration who described the ruling as forthcoming.
Keep reading at Business Insider.
Feds Want Help Finding Evidence On Marijuana And Kratom's Role In Treating Pain
A federal health agency is conducting a review of studies to learn if marijuana and kratom could potentially treat chronic pain with fewer side effects than opioids.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is asking the public to help identify research that specifically looks at the risks and benefits of cannabinoids and kratom, a type of plant known for its analgesic effects. The agency said the rise in opioid prescriptions and overdoses necessitates exploring plant-based alternatives.
The public is invited to submit studies on how these substances impact chronic pain until the January 4 deadline.
"Some data suggest that cannabinoids may have analgesic properties, though research in this area is mixed," AHRQ, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, said in a notice, adding that THC "has demonstrated analgesic properties, though its psychoactive effects and abuse potential increase its risk and suitability as an analgesic."
Keep reading at marijuanamoment.net
What is Kratom and Why is it Illegal?
Kratom isn't presently an unlawful substance and has been anything but difficult to arrange on the web. It is at times sold as a green powder in bundles named "not for human utilization." Here the details about what is kratom and "is kratom illegal"
It is additionally some of the time sold as a concentrate or gum. A great many people take kratom as a pill, container, or concentrate. A few people bite kratom leaves or mix the dried or powdered leaves as a tea.
In some cases, the leaves are smoked or eaten in nourishment. Kratom can cause impacts like both narcotics and energizers.
Is Kratom Illegal?
Two mixes in kratom leaves, mitragynine and 7-α-hydroxymitragynine, collaborate with narcotic receptors in the cerebrum, delivering sedation, delight, and diminished torment, particularly when clients devour a lot of the plant.
Continue at Halt.org
FDA warns of using kratom as alternative treatment for pain and mood disorders
In our modern age people often look for something that gives them comfort.
An herbal (tropical plant) alternative "treatment" called kratom has been being used by some people for pain, mood disorders, and even opioid withdrawal without any supervision from a licensed physician who knows about kratom.
That is why the FDA is warning consumers not to use kratom, or mitragyna species, which grows naturally in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
At least until a lot more is known about how it affects humans.
The main things the FDA is warning people about is trifold.
"FDA is concerned that kratom, which affects the same opioid brain receptors as morphine, appears to have properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and dependence," the FDA information page on the plant states at fda.gov.
Keep reading at wmicentral.com.
Buy Kratom In Texas – Legal Status & Top Kratom Vendors
Kratom or Mitraygyna Speciosa is not a discovery. It has been used in South-east Asia, especially Thailand, for the longest time.
Kratom leaves were initially chewed raw by farmers and laborers to boost focus and productivity by alleviating fatigue. Simultaneously Kratom has also been historically used to treat various medical conditions such as morphine dependence in Thailand.
Today Kratom is no longer just relevant in South-east Asia as its use has spread all around the world. As more and more people recognize Kratom's potential benefits, the demand grows, which results in more vendors springing up to cater to that demand.
The Lone Star State of Texas and its people have a history of never compromising civil liberties and basic freedoms. Even today, in the times of Covid-19, it is the hotbed for protests against a lockdown. Consequently, it is no wonder that Kratom is not only legal in Texas; its market is growing rapidly.
What Is Kratom And Is It As Dangerous As People Say?
Over a decade ago, a new plant Kratom, grabbed the attention of the world. Today the world should be thankful to the botanists who discovered Kratom from dense Asian forests for the world to see. The status of Kratom is still controversial. The high alkaloid count makes it helpful to get multiple effects. However, it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The most common reason behind this is that "FDA & DEA has identified Kratom as a drug of concern," but they lack the scientific evidence that proves it is more dangerous than the relevant species plant: caffeine.
This ban is not over the entire USA, but only a few states have it. Many Kratom centers are running in the major cities and online vendors that provide the delivery at the doorstep.
Kratom Legality in the U.S. By State (2020 Updated)
Centuries back when the farmers in Indonesia first discovered Kratom, they were quite happy.
They found something which cured their fatigue and lethargy and alleviated their stress. Those were the good days when Kratom was only used for medical conditions.
However, gradually the world got to know about this supplement. Many were curious to find out the effects of Kratom.
Once they discovered that it causes euphoria and stimulation at low doses, they were enthralled.
This was when Kratom's use increased in parties and clubs. The FDA and DEA noticed the use of this drug and immediately took action to regulate it and to reduce its recreational use.
However, they failed to produce a scientific basis for the rumors attached to the drug. Many states in America were alarmed at the rumors and started banning it.
Legal kratom edges closer
Proposed legislation that would remove kratom from the list of narcotics has taken a step closer to being tabled before parliament, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) said on Tuesday.
The Council of State, the government's legal arm, finished examining the amendment to the Narcotics Act last Wednesday, and will send back to the cabinet for endorsement before it is forwarded to parliament, ONCB secretary-general, Niyom Termsrisuk, said.
The cabinet approved in principle to remove kratom from the drugs list in March.
Mr Niyom warned the public that the plant is still considered a narcotic at present, which means possessing it is illegal.
The warning came in response to a recent surge in drug cases involving kratom.
The number of cases logged by the ONCB's operations centre rose sharply by 46% between April and June, which suggested many people believe the plant had already been delisted, Mr Niyom said.
Why Legal Kratom May Face a Battle with Drug Companies
Kratom is a natural drug based on the leaves and extractions of a plant of the same name that come from Southeast Asia. It is said to treat a variety of ailments and conditions, most notably withdrawal symptoms from heroin and other addictive drugs. It is also considered a mood and energy booster and is also used recreationally.1
The product contains compounds that can have psychotropic (mind-altering) effects, although the product is largely legal in the US. Mostly it is consumed for pain and relaxation, like cannabis.
While legal nationwide, concerns about the product have led some jurisdictions to restrict it. My state of Alabama has made it illegal and other authorities prevent local retail sales.
Concerns are in all likelihood overblown. In one study of Colorado (pop. 5.8+ million), over the period 1999–17 there were only fifteen kratom-related deaths. Of these cases, fourteen involved multiple other drugs, eight involved opiates, and only one was found to be a kratom-only death.
Read more at Mises.org.
St. Louis CBD retailer 'blacklisted' by credit card company, lawsuit claims
A St. Louis-based CBD retailer is fighting credit card company Visa in court, alleging the business has been unfairly blacklisted, according to a lawsuit that moved forward in federal court this week.
The suit was first brought in 2018 by MNG 2005 Inc., parent company of CBD Kratom, which has 40 retail stores across the U.S., including 14 in St. Louis.
The company claims that in March 2018 it contracted with JPMorgan Chase Bank to process credit card payments for online orders, but the company got a warning from a Visa contractor, G2 Web Services, that CBD Kratom was added to a "blacklist" because it was engaging in illegal activity and was part of a law enforcement investigation.
Chase in response shut down the retailer's account on May 1, 2018, and withheld $66,500 in payments from customers, the suit claims.
Read more at St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Is Kratom Legal To Buy In South Dakota?
The legality of Kratom on the federal level in the U.S, concerns every buyer in the country because the laws are changing constantly in every state. Few credible and important facts about Kratom legality in South Dakota are stated below:
A Little About South Dakota
To start with let us discuss some credible facts about South Dakota. The land of plenty, South Dakota, makes one-third of the United States' economy because of extensive cultivation of wheat, hay, corn, and soybeans.
South Dakota is known as a "land of variety." It has many outdoor adventures in the form of National parks, black hills, and Badlands. River Missouri flows throughout central South Dakota, adding to its beauty. It also has hustling markets and a quiet country escapes.
This state which is located in the Midwestern region of America has all the tourists' attractions and you will feel great there!
Kratom in Tennessee: Legal Status & Where to Buy
Kratom legality is one of the biggest current issues that has prompted an ongoing debate among lawmakers, government bodies -like FDA and DEA- and the Kratom supporters.
The arguments presented by both parties are supported by scientific research -which makes it all the more confusing for the people to decide and stick with any particular side.
Not only that, but Kratom has also been made illegal in many states and cities of the USA, namely; Alabama, Washington DC, Arkansas, Indiana, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Vermont, and Columbia.
However, whether Kratom, also known as Mitragyna Speciosa is "a drug of concern" or "a beneficial botanical" is a question for another time, because one fact that remains true is that Kratom is helping millions of people in the USA, alone.
Marijuana legalization successes pave way for national conversation on drug laws: Experts
A majority of voters in five states, both red and blue, passed ballot measures that legalized marijuana on Election Day.
This show of support at the polls will put more pressure on other states and the federal government to update its drug policies, according to advocates and experts.
"This indicates that people are frustrated with the outdated drug policies from the 1970s," Mason Marks, a law professor at Gonzaga University and a fellow in residence at Harvard Law School's Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, told ABC News.
In some cases, like New York, elected officials are publicly sounding the call for major policy changes.
In ballot measures passed in New Jersey, South Dakota, Montana and Arizona, residents over 21 will be able to purchase and consume marijuana for recreational purposes.
Continue reading at ABC News
More Evidence Magic Mushroom Ingredient May Help Treat Depression – Right In Time For Legalization
Magic mushrooms may be making headway in medicine.
As voters in Oregon and DC opt to decriminalize psilocybin, there is growing evidence that the active compound in "magic," or hallucinogenic, mushrooms might benefit individuals with moderate to severe depression—at least when used alongside psychotherapy under a doctor's supervision.
"The findings that we have in our study, we believe, are related to the fact that it was in a controlled setting where we have trained professionals," explained Alan Davis, a psychologist, social work researcher at Ohio State University, and adjunct assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University's Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research.
"We certainly would not suggest that someone go out and take this on their own," he added. "However, there are currently multi-site trials going on in the US and Europe, testing this in phase 2 and phase 3 trials in order to hopefully garner FDA approval in the next couple years."
More at Forbes
Kratom Legality Case in Indiana: What Residents Need To Know
Despite being dubbed as the "drug of concern" by FDA, Metragyna Speciosa, or in other words, Kratom has been the miraculous lifesaving drug for many. As a herbal tea used by Asian farmers in the 19th century, it is intriguing that the Americans have gotten fond of Kratom so quickly. There are 16 million Kratom users in the USA at the moment, who are using this beneficial botanical for pain relief, anti-depressant, and as a remedy for drug addiction.
However, the legality concerns surrounding Kratom has dampened moods of everyone around, as they never know when and where it can be made illegal. At the moment, Kratom is illegal in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Tennessee, Vermont, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Columbia, and Washington DC. For the rest of the USA, it is entirely legal to use, sell, and buy.
Drug legalization makes big gains with voters
Voters in six states and the District of Columbia approved measures that will broaden the availability of previously illicit drugs for recreational or medical use on Tuesday in an across-the-board win for legalization advocates.
In Arizona, almost 60 percent of voters approved Proposition 207 to legalize the use of recreational marijuana, and to allow adults over the age of 21 to possess up to six marijuana plants in their homes.
In Montana, a legalization measure passed with more than 56 percent of the vote. More than two-thirds of New Jersey voters approved Question 1, which will amend the state constitution to allow recreational marijuana use. South Dakota voters approved measures seeking both medical and recreational use of marijuana; the medical measure passed by a wide margin, while legalization passed by a slimmer 53 percent to 47 percent margin.
Hong Kong lawmakers call for controls on kratom, the supplement known as 'legal heroin'
Hong Kong lawmakers have called for controls against a potentially addictive herbal substance known as "legal heroin" now available in the city.
Kratom, or ketum, is made from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree which is native to parts of Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Indonesia.
The leaves, which can be chewed, brewed as a tea or ground, contain chemical compounds that cause stimulatory or sedative effects in different doses.
These effects are similar to those in the opioid drug class, which includes heroin and opium, some of the most addictive of all known substances.
Kratom has been used in traditional medicines in the region since at least the 19th century and available from many kratom vendors. But in recent years an increasing number of people in the United States and other parts of the world, especially those suffering serious opioid crises, have been using kratom as a mood booster, a pain reliever, and as a treatment for opioid addiction as a result of its ability to mirror the opioid drug class.
Numinus Becomes The First Canadian Psychedelics Company To Legally Harvest Magic Mushrooms
A Vancouver-based psychedelics company has become the first in Canada to complete a legal harvest of magic mushrooms since the last wave of psychedelic research ended there in the 1970s.
Numinus Bioscience, a healthcare company with a focus on research and product development, announced the harvest of its first flush of psilocybe mushrooms yesterday at its licensed facility in Nanaimo, B.C., where it operates a research and testing laboratory. The firm is developing formulations and solutions intended for use in the burgeoning psychedelic therapy space, and received a license from Health Canada to grow and extract magic mushrooms as recently as June of this year.
The license, issued under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, allows Numinus to test, import, store, and distribute MDMA, psilocybin, psilocin (two compounds present in psychedelic mushrooms), DMT and mescaline.
Read more at Forbes
Cannabis/CBD
Magic Mushroom