We were blown away by the incredible number of people who took action last week when we asked for your help contacting legislators in Mississippi about the plant kratom! THANK YOU!!!
Your voices are making a difference as we work toward thoughtful regulation that keeps kratom legal and protects consumers by regulating products and prohibiting sales to minors.
Several weeks ago, we asked for people willing to advocate for responsible kratom legislation, and our inbox filled up with stories. Some of those individuals joined us at the Mississippi Capitol over two days, attending our press conference, meeting with legislators and sharing how kratom changed their lives. Their willingness to step up and speak out is exactly how change happens!
Advocates with Mississippi House
Representative Lee Yancey
Advocates Share at EFG Press Conference
Mississippi State Capitol
If you’re new to this conversation, here’s why we support regulation and adult access to kratom, a product made from the leaves of a tree in Asia:
Right now in Mississippi (and many other states), kratom is legal in most places but unregulated. That means:
- No age restrictions on purchasing
- No restrictions on potency
- No quality control
That’s not good.
If the goal is to reduce harm, keeping kratom legal is the only way to put in place regulations that protect consumers and the broader community. Thoughtful regulation ensures kratom remains available in its natural form while preventing dangerous high-potency products and contaminants.
Advocates recently participated in several interviews on SuperTalk Radio, including one with Lisha Adcock and me, to discuss our efforts to keep kratom legal and create consumer protections. Lisha shared her personal experience using kratom to manage chronic pain and successfully end her opioid addiction.
Advocates at the SuperTalk studio
Advocating for the real people impacted by drug policies is the heart of what we do. Here’s Katie’s story.
I’ve spent 10+ years of being disabled because of severe lower back pain and now, thanks to kratom I have my life back. I had doctors tell me I’d be wheelchair bound and unable to walk by the time I was 35, told I’d never work again when I was 22 and was put on Social Security Disability.
I was unable to function as a person and spent my life in bed as a 20+ year old and was still in severe pain despite being on strong pharmaceuticals. I cannot and do not want to go back to that.
The fact I’m actually currently working, off Social Security Disability, walking and functioning is an absolute miracle and I couldn’t do this without kratom. I am now almost 41, I’m working full time again in the mental health field, underwent back surgery in 2023 with very minimal need for narcotic pain medication (was able to take kratom to help control the after surgery pain) and able to enjoy my family and life again.
How have drugs, addiction, and the way we approach them impacted you? We’d be honored to listen.
And if you want to empower more work like what we’ve been doing on kratom, we’d love to have your partnership!