"Kratom has been more effective and less destructive than any pharmaceutical I have ever been prescribed. I deal with chronic pain and fatigue from multiple injuries at work and an autoimmune disorder. I was laid off of work because of my condition, in my 6 months off I started taking kratom regularly. I now am able to keep my job & actually play with my kid. Without it I'm really not sure I would be here today. I thank kratom for so much, always. It comes from the earth and really is harmless unless abused, just like every other thing in the world. No different than kava as a supplement & they sell that at Whole Foods. The market can be rebranded & one day I hope to see kratom in the grocery store. If anything I vote for doctors to go to special classes to learn about kratom and its benefits. It could save lives."

I was dying from auto-immune disease. The pain was causing suicide hallucinations and I became bed bound. I told my husband it feels like cancer pain in the bones. He said “try kratom” and I stared at the package. 3 days did TONS of research. Joined groups because I wanted to understand exactly what it was. I'm alive and well today because of kratom. My health is better than it has been in over a decade. I started at 12 tsp. At 6-8tsp now... using even less. It works like a cure all BEST ADAPTOGEN on the market and yes needs protection. Our country gives a pill for every ailment why not try plants first?"

“I have suffered with severe chronic pain for more than 25 years. I am a nurse who had to retire on disability. I was bedfast due to pain and had to have help with my care. Doctors prescribed multitudes of medications (even narcotics) and many types of therapy. NOTHING helped until I found kratom. I have been using it responsibly for about 5 years now. It is the ONLY thing that has helped my pain. It is literally a lifesaver for me. I am now able to enjoy a near normal life. If it is banned, you will be devastating millions of people who use it to improve their health.”

“8 years of kratom use for anxiety and joint pain has allowed me to live anxiety and pain free with the utmost mental clarity. All bloodwork and screening panels are tip top at age 56! To ban this natural botanical product is simply an injustice to millions of people who have discovered a natural way to improve their lives. I suggest any jurisdiction proposing a ban reconsider and research the truths about kratom. Stop shooting from the hip and look at real facts from real people.”

"Kratom has helped me get off stimulant and addictive ADHD medication. I use Kratom to naturally manage my symptoms. After taking it, I am able to tackle daily challenges. I am much more focused, productive, happy, positive and social. I am a Master’s level educated working professional and mother who has never been a criminal. Banning Kratom will turn productive members of society into criminals in an instant. The US will lose money on this. It’s idiotic and purely based on bias and lack of understanding. No one can tell me I can’t eat a leaf."

"One day you will be as old as I am and has many sores and aches and creaks and pains but you will still want to keep living your life and planting things in the garden and going to the store and walking at the park but you find that your old body won't let you do this anymore. Well I tell you that was me until I found kratom. Kratom has given me my life back. If you take it away or make it illegal for me to use you'll be literally taking my life away from me. Please consider more than just yourself and what you think and listen to what others need."

"I urge you to not restrict people's access and right to use Kratom. Oxycodone and hydrocodone being overprescribed to me starting when I was 17 led to some dark times and ultimately getting hooked on Heroin. Luckily I didn’t die or lose everything and was able to quit Heroin/rx opioids back in 2015 and now use Kratom to help my sobriety and pain management issues without it causing the issues that rx opioids and Heroin did. I somehow made it out alive and got clean before fentanyl or I would be dead. That said I have seen Kratom help not only myself but many friends and family members who have been able to get off of dangerous street opioids like fentanyl and they are alive today partly due to their ability to buy Kratom. Kratom helps a lot of people. I know personally, and see it everyday as I work as a substance abuse therapist at a rehab. I’ve sadly seen many clients and friends die from opioids and have also seen many survive like myself thanks to Kratom. I implore you to consider the fact that thousands of good decent Virginia residents will be hurt and endangered if we are not able to access Kratom."