"I'm writing this as a 48-year-old, Iowan mother of 2 teenage boys, who has been using Kratom as a supplement since 2013. It is a product that I discovered while researching safer alternatives for chronic pain relief, after recovering from a death-defying trauma from 2 holes in my bowel. This was caused by long term use of over-the-counter ibuprofens. I fully understand the danger of opiate use. In my case, the complete irony of my avoidance of opiates is what narrowly cost my life. I was held an entire day in the ER, while my family advocated for them not to send me home. Since the source of my sudden onset intensely acute pain wasn't found, and my records showed pain prescription use in the past, I fully believe I was dismissed as being a "drug seeker". By the next morning, I was sent by helicopter to Rochester. The surgeons told my husband, "If I'd come via highway, rather than skyway, it may have been too late.", but I "should have a good outcome", meaning, I should live. I had 2 boys under 3 years old at home that saw me leave in an ambulance and they didn't see me again for 17 days. It took 3 months to recover and then ALL of my hair fell out. The alternative use of herbal supplements native to all regions of our world are just not studied and understood in American modern medicine. What is not fully studied and proven, does not equate to danger. We also need to consider the motives behind what is sought for ban by the higher powers that be in our capitalist society. A leaf from a tree cannot be patented, but the desired chemical compounds in pill form can. I am pleading with those of you who have been chosen to make objective, rational, and reasonable decisions in the best interest of the people. Please, vote against or remove any language describing Kratom products (mitragynine) from any proposed ban in your power... I know I do not stand alone in my concern about the detriment a ban would bring to the quality of so many lives.”

"I have been taking kratom for 9 years now. My wife has also. It has improved our life. We were addicted to painkillers that were dangerous and costly to obtain until kratom came along and with it we lost all desire to jump through the hoops and deal with shady people and put ourselves in bad situations to obtain. Kratom is very mild at most compared to the opiates we were chasing. I would take 10 to 14 pills at one time and still had no effect. Then I knew I had a serious problem when nodding out, burning myself and furniture with cigarettes. Felt like I couldn't wake up when I went to sleep. Letting the addiction control when and how long I would go and stay at work.. now life is better. I do not think this should be banned or you will see people getting sick and falling out of the work force or off the map.”

"Many years ago I developed a condition called trigeminal neuralgia. It is an extreme pain condition which many call a suicide disease. I searched for many ways to get it under control and failed until I was put on fentanyl and hydrocodone. Of course I could not be sustained due to abuse possibilities and it was not really an overall answer. I was tested for a neural stimulator and that helped quite a bit with that condition. I also have a condition called hemicrania continua which causes migraines in many other different types of pain in my head. The only thing that could control it was a medication called indomethacin, however that created an issue where my bladder walls were thickening and I could not get rid of all urine and eventually had to get a catheter put through my abdomen to get to the bladder. I also have what's called diabetic neuropathy which causes pain all over my body from head to toe. The only thing that helped with each of these pains has been kratom. Kratom comes from an evergreen like tree that is in the coffee family. It comes from Southeast Asia where people for thousands of years have used the leaves to relieve pain and to live their spirits. They have used it without issues as far as addiction goes. Kratom is extremely safe no matter what others have said to the contrary. There is not been any deaths related directly to kratom and any deaths that related as kratom related we're due to other compounds that the person might have taken like cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, etc. Kratom has been a godsend for me and others like me. The pharmaceutical companies don't like that, because it takes away from their profits. They will do anything to stop the sales of this supplement. They have lied, made fun of, sent trolls into kratom support groups to make it look dangerous, etc, etc. If you look at the facts you will find out that kratom is not dangerous. Please do not ban it. If you do, this will send many people elsewhere to find pain relief like illicit drugs, alcohol, suicide, etc. Please do not be blindsided by kratoms detractors. Thank you."

"My husband actually started taking Kratom to help with an addiction problem. It also helped him with his anxiety and depression. When I noticed it helping him, I started taking it. I was working a lot of hours and was constantly tired, stressed out, bad mood, and foggy brained. Literally 30 min after drinking the tea - I felt amazing! I was able to focus, completely turned my mood away and it gave me energy! There are different strains, there is yellow that would help calm you down if you have anxiety or just wanted to relax but couldn’t. There’s another strain that helps with sleeping. I used to toss and turn and this strain would help put me at ease but I was still able to jump up in the middle of the night if I heard something. I don’t like the chemicals that are in all these prescription pills that I would need to take in order to help me through my life and the fact that there’s a natural way to take something that literally really helps is amazingand affordable! I’ve been taking it now for about ten years and go have my yearly physical and never have any issues. This is a dried up elephant leaf that holds healing properties, do not withhold this to the public. If you’re allowed to sell alcohol and cigarettes that are awful for you - no reason to ban kratom!"

“I am an advocate activist and consumer of Kratom. I have been sober from alcohol and painkillers. 8 years ago I became tired of the same cycle with pain meds and alcohol. Liters and hand fulls a day. I found Kratom in 2016 when my cousin had brought it back from a girlfriend who he had been dating at the time. Said it was gross try it with chocolate milk to mask the taste. I tried it that way and I didn’t like it at first. Then the relief came. And the mood and energy boost. Just like a cup of coffee. It’s time to regulate it and keep the raw leaf powder safe. It helps keep people like me healthy and productive while minimizing pain. It saved my life and so many others. Don’t ban this miracle leaf.”