"I am a former CNA. I was injured on the job while trying to catch a falling resident. I tore my meniscus. I also have fibromyalgia, arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. I've been using kratom for 5 years now to manage my medical issues. It's been, quite literally, life changing - I can actually do so many things I couldn't manage before. I still have bad days, but kratom has made it possible to still care for my family and manage the tasks I need to do every day. Please consider signing the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Please don't just take it away from folks who need it.”

"I used kratom in high school but stopped when I joined the military. While serving, I injured my back severely and was unable to walk for several months. The healthcare I received did little to alleviate my pain or improve my condition. Once I had recovered enough to walk with a cane, I decided to start using kratom again and began brewing tea at home. It took a lot of strength and determination to go through the process—often, I had to sit in a chair in front of the stove to prepare it. However, it was worth it; kratom significantly relieved my pain, enabling me to participate in physical therapy exercises that ultimately aided my recovery. As I write this, I am about 75% of what I was before the injury and no longer require a cane to walk, although I still experience chronic pain. Managing this pain with kratom has drastically improved my quality of life. It’s empowering to know I can control my pain without relying on narcotics, and it gives me hope that one day I’ll return to a state of living freely. After serving six years in the military, I’ve opened my own kava bar, "Nocturne Teas," in Palm Bay, Florida. We serve both kava and kratom products, and many of our customers share similar stories to mine. It brings me joy to know that I can help my community."

"My journey to Kratom began with the VA removing my pain management medication in the early 2010s. I searched for a natural or herbal alternate that would help with my pain and have the side benefit of enhancing my energies as I approach each day. Kratom has provided both those benefits. Importantly I have only procured Kratom from known trusted sources as I understand contaminants and cutting agents. Please keep Kratom legal and safe."

"I use kratom to help me focus in my job. It keeps me laser focused. I also take it to help me be positive. It gives me a sense of well-being. My husband has cancer, I take care of my 93 year old parents and I work full time. I am grateful for kratom."

"Kratom has allowed me to be a normal, productive member of society. Banning Kratom would result in an overall unsafe environment for those of us who have been helped by this plant."

"I have suffered from severe depression for decades. I've been taking kratom for 3 years now and it completely takes away the depressive feelings. Now I take kratom about every 6 or 7 hours, but it has NEVER NOT WORKED. I can help other people now like I used to. Please don't make this leaf illegal. I have tried probably a dozen different antidepressants in my lifetime. Some of them work for a very short period of time but then horrible side effects and they no longer work. None of that with kratom. It is God sent!"

"This plant gave me my life back. I’ve been able to stop multiple life long prescriptions."

"Kratom is a natural, safe and beneficial plant that has been used for hundreds of years. It has helped thousands of people who struggle with chronic pain, addiction and even mental health. I started using kratom almost 8 years ago and it had the unintended consequence of giving me an aversion to alcohol. I no longer drink and feel so much better overall. I don't consume as much caffeine as I used to, don't eat as many sugary foods and I attribute all of it to kratom. I am so grateful for this truly miraculous plant and it should be available to everyone who is of age. Of all the substances that are readily available - tobacco, alcohol and even prescription opiates, it is not only the safest but most beneficial without a doubt!"

"Kratom is incredibly beneficial to many people all over the world. It helps me deal with pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. It's helped people with addictions, myself included. I used to use alcohol to deal with my problems. Now I use this natural plant, and it's way way better for me. My health has improved. There's no addiction, no hangover, no withdrawals, and using it isn't like being drunk or high, it's just a sense of peacefulness, happiness, and ease due to pain relief. How can you justify banning such a beneficial, completely natural remedy, and leave many people bereft of the only thing that helps them get through the day? The alternative for many people who use it for pain relief is opiates, which are highly addictive and highly dangerous if used incorrectly. It's worked wonders for me and my mental health issues. I've been on and off various meds since my teen years and nothing ever worked without having some crazy side effect that hugely outweighed any benefit. Kratom isn't like that. There's virtually no side effects. This plant has changed my life for the better, and I would be devastated to have to live without it. Please consider that if kratom is banned, people would turn to drugs, alcohol, or obtaining kratom illegally. Thank you for your consideration, and I hope from the bottom of my heart you will make the right decision, to not ban a leaf."

I have been using kratom since January 2017. Kratom assisted me with removing addiction to pain killers due to chronic pain and fibromyalgia. I am 41 and move like I am 20 now. It’s non addicting and a natural alternative to pain. It’s my body my choice. I am healthier and finally have my life back after years of bedridden pain and chronic illness. I am finally healing after years of drs. We need to always have a right to choose.

"I started drinking kratom more than a year ago, it helped me stop taking adderall and gives me clean energy for my days. I have also discovered a wonderful community of people and friends through our shared love of kratom."

"For years I have suffered from chronic back pain which has grossly affected most of my life, from sleep, to sex, to travel, to enjoying myself. I’ve tried every pain medication a doctor will prescribe to me short of opiate pain killers. Kratom is the only thing that has helped me manage my chronic pain to a level where I’ve claimed my life back and can live it with much less pain than I have in the past."

"70 year old great grandmother who takes pure lab tested kratom powder to help manage my pain from advanced osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, scoliosis, degenerative joint disease, Chiari malformation and 3 herniated disc's in my neck. 2 servings of 4 grams each day. Lowers my pain level to a 3-4, down from constant 8-9. Pure lab tested kratom is safe when consumed RESPONSIBLY. Keep kratom legal"

“I didn’t know Kratom existed until I tried it at my local Kava store and honestly, it was life changing. I used to drink a lot of alcohol and after drinking kratom, I started to notice that I slowly stopped drinking alcohol. It helped me cut the craving for it. It even helped me with focus on my work and homework when I had it. It helped me become more social and aware. Idk how I’d be if it wasn’t for Kratom. Probably being drunk out somewhere."

"25 Victor Army veteran been using kratom 6 yrs now. Only thing that ever worked to control anxiety and pain"

"I am 6 1/2 years alcohol free because of this wonderful plant called kratom. It saved my life from alcohol addiction/abuse! Please don’t make this life saving plant illegal! Thank you."

"I have suffered with severe anxiety for years, all of my adult life, from 20-31 I was prescribed a large amount of klonopin (a very dangerous benzodiazepine) not meant for long term use. I became severely addicted to it. It ruled my life. I lost all inhibitions, I lost any chance at a career, I made extremely poor choices, I basically lost myself in an attempt to stave off a natural emotion that I now know is normal to feel. I made extremely poor and dangerous decisions because of my inability to feel fear because of the prescription medication I was on. Many other people could see it, I hurt my family, loved ones and I hurt myself. I became jobless and destitute. I continued to use benzodiazepines despite how they were killing me. I was addicted. The only reason I am here today is by the grace of GOD! One night when I was out on a benzo bender, the police were called on me because of my unusual erratic behavior. I am so fortunate and thankful I never physically hurt anyone else. I was arrested and charged with a DUI (driving under the influence of a drug.) I was out of my mind. I went to jail for 20 days (you don’t get your prescription medication in there…) I suffered with extreme physical withdrawals. I was unable to function for months, and the precipitated withdrawal lasted for years. I quite literally lost myself because of benzodiazepines. How this relates to Kratom? I discovered Kratom through pretty extensive internet research because I knew I couldn't allow myself to go back on that medication again, it almost killed me, and would surely finish the job had I gone back. Over a year later I had ordered some Kratom online (I also experimented with kava.) It took me some tries to find the right dose and the right strain for my needs, but once I did, it completely changed my life. My anxiety has dulled, I am able to function better, and I was able to get my life and health back on track. It’s nothing short of a miracle supplement for me. Without it I don’t know where I would be, or what I would do. I’m able to function like a normal human! Words can’t describe my gratitude for Kratom. It really works, and for more reasons than just anxious people. That’s my Kratom experience. It totally changed my life, and I know it could continue to help other people as well."