The DEA is withdrawing a proposal to ban another plant citing public outcry
I don't agree with the ban, but it seems like the risks of kratom are not discussed, and in fact even downplayed by saying hey, it's just a plant.<p>To help me be an informed reader I would like WaPo to mention:<p>1) If you search kratom withdrawal there are a ton of anecdotal reports that sound pretty unpleasant if not debilitating.<p>2) What is the frequency of severe side effects, as best as can be known?<p>3) That "natural" substances or "plants" are not always safe.  This misconception is so common and dangerous it shouldn't be used to mock the ban (real logic will suffice).  <a href="https://web.stanford.edu/~jpc/overture.htm" rel="nofollow">https://web.stanford.edu/~jpc/overture.htm</a><p>There are plenty of valid reasons to argue against a ban.  For example the chill on research, the low rate of fatalities, the likelihood it will make use more dangerous, and the probability a ban would have no net benefits.