KCPA

KCPA in Oregon: The Latest News on This Active Bill

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Phytoextractum has been thrilled to be part of changing the landscape of the Kratom industry across the US for the last few years. Recently, we’ve been working with Kratom advocacy organizations to help pass the Kratom Consumer Protection Act in Oregon.

If you’re familiar with Kratom news, you might remember that the Oregon state legislature previously passed a KCPA bill during the 2021 session only to have it vetoed at the Governor’s desk. This time, however, we’ll be able to see Oregon’s first official KCPA bill come to fruition.

Today, learn more about the KCPA bill in Oregon, what happened to the first iteration of the bill, and what’s going on with the current bill.

What is KCPA?

Are you unfamiliar with KCPA bills? Let’s do a quick review.

Known formally as Kratom Consumer Protection Acts, KCPA bills are bills created at the state level to provide guidance, regulation, and protections to everyone involved in the Kratom industry. From rules that protect consumers’ right to take Kratom to guidelines for Kratom processors to follow, KCPA ensures that Kratom is a safe, protected product.

KCPA bills also include a variety of testing rules for vendors and processors to ensure that consumers have safe access to Kratom. The combination of all of these rules is known simply as KCPA, and Kratom advocacy organizations are working across the country to help get these bills passed.

Without any of these protections in place, consumers cannot verify that the Kratom they purchase is safe and adequately tested. Additionally, processors and vendors have a hard time knowing exactly what they need to do to keep up with the latest best practices in the industry. Across the board, there is room for error in the entire industry without KCPA.

Why a Prior KCPA Bill in Oregon Didn’t Become Law

As mentioned above, the Oregon state legislature previously passed a version of a KCPA bill, but it ultimately did not become law. The state’s governor, Kate Brown, decided to veto the bill last year due to some areas that she felt were weak and had potential for issues for the state.

Specifically, Governor Brown was worried about which organization would be in charge of setting up the guidelines, regulations, and more for the Kratom industry. The original bill suggested that the Department of Agriculture would be responsible for this, just as they are for marijuana. However, the Governor disagreed with this choice.

This caused her to veto the bill. While we were unhappy with this development, we didn’t give up. We went back to work on adapting the bill to adjust for the Governor’s concerns. After working through her concerns with the Governor’s Office, the Oregon KCPA bill was redrafted and introduced in the House.

What’s Changed Since Then

Since then, we and other advocates of the KCPA bill in Oregon have considered the Governor’s input and worked on updating the guidelines to match her recommendations. The new version of OR HB4010 sets the Department of Revenue up as the regulatory agency, and previous critics have publicly supported this change.

Phytoextractum has been a critical backer of this bill for several legislative sessions, and we’re happy to be supporting other advocacy groups in getting these protections in place. Our public testimony on the importance of these regulations in the industry has played a significant role in getting KCPA moving in Oregon.

In fact, we’ve been working with these groups for more than five years in Oregon and other states to ensure that similar protections happen across the country. We want to see both Kratom processors and consumers be able to safely exist in the Kratom industry, and we believe that we’re on the right path to see that change.

Is KCPA in Oregon Now Law?

OR HB4010, also known as Oregon’s KCPA, was passed unanimously by the Oregon State Senate on March 2nd, after also passing unanimously in the House. Thankfully, Governor Brown was pleased with the changes made to the bill. She signed it into law on March 23rd, and this is a huge step for the Kratom community in Oregon.

Now, vendors and processors will be required to keep up with the latest rules and regulations set by the Department of Revenue, and a system to ensure the protection of products and consumers will be set into place in the coming months. These changes will be essential for the long-term preservation and success of the industry. We’re thrilled to see these things taking root.

The Kratom industry will reduce unregistered processors and untested products within the marketplace. Additionally, consumers will be able to purchase Kratom legally and confidently, which is a huge win for the Kratom industry in Oregon.

Ready to Advocate For Kratom?

Do you want to see similar protections in other states? Many states have not yet adopted any of these KCPA protections, and we are working every day to try to see these changes enacted nationwide. We’re fighting to prevent anti-Kratom laws from being enacted in some states. No matter where you are in the country, there is somewhere for you to get involved.

Ask around your local Kratom shop or visit the American Kratom Associations website today to find out how you can get involved. Join us on our mission to ensure that safe, legal Kratom remains legal across the US. Your testimony could make a huge difference in seeing KCPA protections spread across the country.

Buy Kratom online at Phytoextractum

Kratom Consumer Protection Act: Various State Updates

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Over the last few years, we’ve provided our customers with updates about Kratom’s legal status and any related laws to keep you informed. Today, we’re back with another update about developments on Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) proposals in various states.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act, also known as KCPA, are passed in some states to create structure and protections for consumers. These bills aim to ensure that Kratom is safe for consumers while being protected as a legal botanical.

Laws on Kratom change from year to year, but these are some of the latest developments as of January 2022. For the latest updates in your state, check your local news and state laws to determine if any changes have been made.

What KCPA Is (And Why We Need It)

Before we get into state-specific changes, let’s touch on what is generally included in KCPA legislation and why those things are essential. Every state will have its specific language, but some common points tend to be recommended by advocates in every state.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act is a bill that sets up specific guidelines for a Kratom marketplace, including safety guidelines for how the product should be labeled and sold. Since the FDA does not regulate Kratom or want to do so, KCPA laws ensure that the industry is operating safely and effectively so that consumers can have a reliable experience with these products.

KCPA bills are important so that Kratom lovers aren’t left to buy their products in an unregulated industry. Though reliable sellers like our team here at Phytoextractum do our best to ensure our products are adequately tested, packaged, and sold, not all vendors hold themselves to the same standard. KCPA rules set up those requirements.

KCPA Updates: States Where Kratom Rules Are Changing

Original States With Established KCPA Rules

Through the work of advocacy organizations such as the American Kratom Association, KCPA bills have been passed in the following four states:

  • • Georgia
  • • Utah
  • • Nevada
  • • Arizona

The process of implementing the standards in the KCPA has been particularly interesting in Utah as this is one of the states where the process has been most clearly documented from start to finish. The Utah Department of Agriculture is partnering with the American Kratom Association to establish this process.

New Addition: Oklahoma

In May of 2021, Oklahoma became the fifth US state to officially pass KCPA legislation. The bill, known as HB2846, ensures that vendors must disclose specific information when packaging and selling Kratom. Additionally, the bill provides protections for Kratom consumers in the state.

This marks a significant accomplishment for Kratom advocates across the country. It takes a long time to get an act like KCPA through the state legislature, any necessary revisions, and then finally, voted on. The bill was passed in March 2020 but was just signed into law in early 2021 by the state governor. Now, it will need to be implemented across the state. 

States With Bills In Progress

In addition to states where KCPA bills have been completely passed through the state legislature, there are also several states where bills have been proposed and are being moved through the legislative process.

Each of these states has a different ongoing situation, and whether or not the bills will ultimately be passed cannot be predicted. However, advocates in each of these states feel confident that they will be able to see KCPA bills passed in the near future.

Oregon: Trying Again After Governor’s Veto

HB4013 was passed through our state’s House and Senate in 2021, unanimously in the former chamber and nearly unanimously in the latter. Oregon’s governor was expected to sign the bill but had a differing idea of which agency would regulate the Kratom program. After working with the governor and legislators to develop a satisfactory draft bill, advocates – including us! – are optimistic that the bill will be passed and signed during the 2022 session.

Missouri: Pending Senate Action

Proposed KCPA measures in Missouri passed through the state’s House legislature in 2020 but died in the Senate. It is being reintroduced this session, and if passed, we can expect to see KCPA measures signed into law in late 2022 by the Missouri governor.

Kansas: Pending State Action

While a KCPA bill passed through one committee unanimously in early 2020, there has yet to be any movement on advancing the bill further. Advocates in the state are working with politicians to see when and how the bill may proceed.

Defeated Bans

Another interesting category to take a closer look at is the defeated bans category. In many states, there have been attempts to ban Kratom at the state level. These bans are often contested by advocates, and in some states, the bans are completely defeated. States where this reversal has occurred include:

  • • Florida
  • • Maine
  • • New York
  • • Ohio
  • • Kentucky
  • • Virginia
  • • ….. and many more!

Even in states where some type of ban exists, advocates are working closely with legislatures to replace those bans with KCPA bills with great success. As these bills are drawn up and the general public becomes more educated about what it takes for Kratom to exist on the marketplace safely, we can expect to see more bans reversed or removed entirely.

Will We Ever See A Federal KCPA?

Many invested in the future of the Kratom industry wonder if we will ever see something like a federal Kratom Consumer Protect Act implemented. Even though there have been some attempts to implement this type of legislation, the history of substance-related laws in the U.S. makes it a complicated issue.

Even substances that are legal to use at the federal level, such as alcohol, are regulated at the state level. That is why different states have varying laws about where and when liquor can be purchased. If a federal Kratom law is implemented to make it legal on a national scale, bills to set up the specific rules, guidelines, and labeling practices would still be likely to fall to the states to set up.

That is why it is helpful for advocacy organizations to work towards setting up these KCPA bills in as many states as possible, even if the ultimate goal for many is to see Kratom nationally legalized. The standards established will still benefit the community as a whole.

Buy Kratom online at Phytoextractum

Why The GMP Program Is (Seriously) Awesome

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In the Kratom industry, there are a lot of different ways that we could choose to operate our business. With little direction at the federal level, operating in a way that fits with our business goals best would be easy to do with few repercussions.

In fact, there are many Kratom vendors that operate just like that, with little but profit in mind.

Phytoextractum, however, believes that there is a better way for us to do business. That is why we comply with the guidelines laid out in the American Kratom Association’s Good Manufacturing Practices program (and why we think more vendors should do the same!)

The GMP program might not be common knowledge among all consumers, but it is worth the investment all the same. Let’s learn about why this program is so great and why we take our membership in the program so seriously!

AKA & GMP

When you’re new to the behind-the-scenes world of Kratom, you might be confused by the acronyms AKA and GMP being used so regularly. So let’s address what these two stand for and why they are so frequently used throughout the industry.

The American Kratom Association (AKA)

The American Kratom Association is a nonprofit organization that is focused on ensuring that Kratom continues to be safe and legal for consumers to buy and take in America. Through work on legislation, manufacturing practices, grassroots movements, and more, AKA works to ensure that the industry remains safe and in operation.

Kratom has not been regulated or addressed on a national scale, so the rules are different in each state. Much of what the AKA works on is ensuring that each state passes the necessary consumer protection acts to ensure that Kratom lovers can buy high-quality Kratom and safely use it.

The funds raised by AKA are used to work on lobbying for Kratom consumer protections in each state, and they are also used to support research into Kratom to help prove its uses on the scientific side of things.

Additionally, they work to educate both vendors and consumers on what types of practices need to be followed for safe Kratom. In particular, they put time and effort into setting up the GMP program so that vendors could be held to a higher standard.

The Good Manufacturing Practices Program (GMP)

Every industry, from yarn to lumber to fish farms, has their own set of standard best practices. These practices are legally regulated and monitored to some degree; they are self-sustaining within the industry through certification programs as well.

In the Kratom industry, little-to-no regulation was happening in the legal world before AKA started their work. Within the industry, many vendors were doing all that they could to use best practices. Still, there was no clear standard for what was appropriate.

Enter the GMP. The GMP Program is also known as the Good Manufacturing Practices Program, and it is a standards program that was set up by the American Kratom Association.

What Does The GMP Do?

The program seeks to ensure that the industry follows a clear and comprehensive set of practices to ensure that all Kratom sold to consumers is safe and that the supply chain is properly recorded.

With the GMP program certification in place, consumers can be sure that the Kratom they buy is reputably sourced, fully-tested, and properly packaged. Since the companies are doing regular batch testing, consumers are more likely to get a high-quality product.

The GMP guidelines are regularly updated by AKA to ensure they reflect the latest research, and vendors in the program must comply with guideline updates. Even the most informed vendors might have a hard time keeping up with the best practices as they are changing so frequently, so having a program like the GMP to provide guidance is key.

On the whole, what the GMP Program does is simple: they keep the industry in line. Sure, not every vendor out there is part of the program, but many have seen the importance of this type of regulation and are happy to join in. As time goes on, the overall standards of the industry will rise to match the high standards held by the GMP participants.

Why We Take GMP Seriously

We take the GMP guidelines seriously because we believe that it is our responsibility to only sell high-quality products to our consumers. Consumers trust vendors to sell them the best products; vendors need to uphold that trust by doing all that they can to follow appropriate sourcing, testing, and packaging procedures.

Additionally, we want the overall industry to be held to a higher standard so that it can continue to exist in America. Without some regulations that prevent negligent vendors from selling untested or low-quality Kratom in America, the industry will suffer.

That is why we are proud members of the GMP program, and we will continue to take it seriously. 

Frequent and complete testing of our products is the only way that we can be truly sure that everything we sell is as safe as possible. As much as we trust our supply chain, there are too many unknowns for a Kratom vendor like us to neglect testing. With the guidelines supplied by the GMP program, we can set up our testing process.

Go Shopping For GMP-Compliant Kratom

Are you interested in buying Kratom from GMP-compliant companies?

Thankfully, the American Kratom Association makes this very easy to do! Check out the list of vendors that are part of the GMP program on their website, and then do your shopping. If you want to shop locally, you can also take this list with you and see what is in stock at your local establishment.

Buying GMP-compliant Kratom is a good way to show your support for this program. By supporting the companies that ensure they are doing all they can to protect the kratom industry, you are also helping to protect the kratom industry from cheap, low-quality kratom.

Here at Phytoextractum, we’re happy that we are one of the accredited members of this program. All Kratom products found on our site have been tested, processed, and handled in accordance with those standards, so you can shop our collection with peace of mind!

All About GMP (And How It Protects Kratom Consumers Like You)

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Every industry has manufacturing practices that companies in the industry are expected to follow. These practices are in place not only to keep the workers in each company safe but also to ensure that consumers are always receiving a safe and reliable product.

Without standards, there would be no way for consumers to feel confident that they are buying a safe, well-tested product.

Before the GMP program was established by the American Kratom Association, these standards were practically nonexistent across the industry. While individual vendors like us here at Phytoextractum had their own rules about testing and standards, they were not consistent between vendors.

Let’s find out what the GMP program consists of, why it is so important, and how we can continue to ensure that these practices continue to protect consumers and companies in the Kratom industry for decades to come.

What Is The GMP Program?

The GMP Program is a Kratom-specific program that was established by the American Kratom Association as an attempt to coordinate and normalize safe manufacturing practices among various Kratom vendors.

GMP, which stands for Good Manufacturing Practices, is a program that sets up a certain standard, and Kratom vendors have to prove that they are meeting these standards in order to be certified. Then, they must continue to prove that they follow the program’s guidelines each year if they want to continue to be certified by the GMP program for safety compliance.

GMP Program Requirements

The complete guidelines of the program can be found on the American Kratom Association’s website, but these are some of the most important general requirements:

  • ➡ Specific labeling guidelines which may not include certain claims
  • ➡ Safe operating procedures in regards to sick workers
  • ➡ Written procedures in place for all shipping reception and processing
  • ➡ Batch testing and record-keeping
  • ➡ Complete supply chain record-keeping
  • ➡ Restrictions on marketing practices

With guidelines like these, the program helps to support vendors to be as safe as possible when working with Kratom processing, sales, and marketing. It’s part of the responsibility of vendors to upkeep a level of safety for consumers, and this program helps do just that.

Why Is The GMP Program Necessary?

As you may or may not know, Kratom has a somewhat confusing legal status in America. Like most substances, the final call about the legality of Kratom exists at the state-by-state level. While this type of decision making is common, the differences between regulations in each state mean that negligent vendors can sell untested Kratom.

Untested Kratom could be very dangerous for consumers, and consumers getting sick from their Kratom is not OK! Additionally, cases of bad Kratom batches making it to the market weaken the case for Kratom as a safe substance to use. Some in the federal government have already made their skepticism of Kratom known, and problematic cases due to messy testing will only make that worse.

The GMP program accomplishes a few major fixes within the industry:

  • ➡ Sets up testing protocol
  • ➡ Sets up guidelines that are specific to the Kratom industry
  • ➡ Sets up a standard that can be checked and improved as needed
  • ➡ Gives consumers peace of mind when choosing their vendor
  • ➡ Protects consumers from untested product
  • ➡ Educates manufacturers, vendors, and consumers about safe Kratom

All successful industries have a type of manufacturing standards that are expected to be followed, and the GMP program creates those standards for the Kratom industry. Vendors that choose to participate are helping to improve the overall industry.

How GMP Protects Consumers

Before the GMP program existed, some vendors were doing their best to make sure that Kratom was tested properly. Limited knowledge and the lack of a clear procedure path, however, led even well-meaning Kratom vendors to sell questionable products.

Consumers, however, had no way of knowing if the Kratom that they were purchasing could be trusted or not. There was no impartial way to judge the different vendors when shopping around, and that led to stress and safety issues.

With the GMP program in place, it is possible for consumers to look at the list of GMP participants and then decide where they would like to shop.

Additionally, the GMP program helps all Kratom vendors become educated about the best practices for Kratom. Even if consumers know nothing about the program, they are still being protected as vendors work to make sure their products are as safe as possible.

Phytoextractum’s Commitment To GMP

Here at Phytoextractum, we are very committed to the GMP program!

Without it, we feel that the overall Kratom industry would not be nearly as safe as it is today. The structure, direction, and guidelines that it provides to vendors of all sizes make it possible to identify risk factors and eliminate them.

We know that there are dangers associated with untested and low-quality Kratom, and we can see how the GMP program reduces the risks those have for all Kratom consumers. 

That is why we are proud to be compliant, certified members of the GMP program and plan to continue endorsing this program for the foreseeable future.

How To Shop For GMP Compliant Kratom

Are you interested in making sure that you shop for GMP-compliant Kratom in the future? That’s great; we’re glad that you see the importance of putting quality before price.

We’re happy to offer a great variety of well-priced (and well-tested) Kratom here in our shop, but we also know that we might not have everything that you are looking for.

Here is what we recommend doing to ensure that you are shopping from GMP-compliant vendors:

  • ➡ Bookmark this list on the AKA website of GMP certified vendors
  • ➡ Shop around to find a few vendors that you are interested in buying from
  • ➡ Check to see if the vendor is on the list
  • ➡ If they are, shop away!

If you plan to shop locally, you can save this list to your phone and then check the products that are available in-store to choose your next batch of Kratom. Chances are pretty good that your local vendor already vets what they stock, but you can never be too careful.

By taking this simple extra step, you can protect yourself and the Kratom industry. And for that, we thank you!

AKA and Compliance: Our Approach To Kratom’s Future

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With the FDA’s recent backdoor attempt to internationally ban Kratom, we thought this was a great time to talk about Kratom regulation and the future of our industry. (Click here to learn more about the FDAs recent request to the W.H.O. and U.N.)

In the past, we’ve talked about the American Kratom Association, the work that they are doing towards Kratom’s future, and the Good Manufacturing Practices Program that guides the leading vendors in this industry.

In many ways, these organizations and their actions can seem like they are outside of our day-to-day work. AKA’s daily functions aren’t always directly affected by us… or are they?

Today we’re going to talk about the ways that we here at Phytoextractum are putting our time, money, and energy into supporting the future of Kratom. While we are, of course, running a business in hopes of making a profit, we are also personally invested in ensuring that Kratom has a future in America.

And we do that by supporting the American Kratom Association and following all compliance possible. Let’s talk about how we do that and why it matters!

We Support The American Kratom Association

The American Kratom Association is a nonprofit organization that is working to protect the safety and future of Kratom consumers in America as well as the vendors working in the industry.

Their goals cover many facets of the industry, but they primarily focus on the following:

  • ➡ Ensure Kratom sold in America is safe
  • ➡ Ensure Kratom remains legal in America
  • ➡ Set up legal regulations as well as protections for Kratom
  • ➡ Educate the necessary government organizations about Kratom
  • ➡ Support additional Kratom research
  • ➡ Communicate Kratom research with the public

The Trouble With Kratom

For many years, there has been a major problem with Kratom in America. Due to the low-quality batches being sold by some vendors, Kratom was earning a bad reputation. These vendors and the overall lack of testing in the industry made it possible for regulatory bodies to point to rare problem cases that could have been avoided.

How AKA Addresses The Problem

The American Kratom Association recognized this problem and immediately set to work to rectify it. While they started by approaching state lawmakers about creating more clear regulations, they knew that legislation takes time. Working to set up laws could not be their only approach.

So, the AKA started promoting safe Kratom in America using a double-pronged approach:

  • 1.) Set up a manufacturing standards program for all vendors to follow, known as the GMP program.
  • 2.) Got to work trying to get Kratom Consumer Protection Laws passed in each state to ensure the safety and legality of Kratom use in America.

Both of these efforts have shown amazing success stories already, and we’re happy to have been able to support AKA in these efforts.

We Believe In The GMP Program

We are proud to be members of the GMP program run by the American Kratom Association. Not all Kratom vendors have put the time and money into meeting the necessary standards. Still, we felt that this is an important priority for our business.

GMP Compliance

In order to become a verified member of the GMP program, we had to send in an application and make sure that all of our business practices aligned with the guidelines set up in the program. Generally speaking, this meant that we had to ensure our testing, shipping, storage, handling, and documentation were all done correctly.

The guidelines for the program are quite detailed, but they are also not restrictive. We have been able to continue doing business in a profitable way while also prioritizing our product safety. The guidelines help us to manage the safety side of our practice so that we can focus on finding the best Kratom and connecting with our customers.

What We’re Doing Right

When a vendor first signs up to join the GMP program, a third-party auditor comes in and assesses whether or not the guidelines are being met.

The following areas are the most important to us to continually improve, and we have been able to continue our membership in the program by staying on top of them:

  • ➡ Test for pathogens in the facility regularly
  • ➡ Ensure sanitation protocols are complete
  • ➡ Screen and document our supply chain
  • ➡ Ensure accurate testing procedures
  • ➡ Use more than one lab when testing batches
  • ➡ Document all milling and blending processes
  • ➡ … and much more!

There are a lot of different environmental and product controls that we have to take into consideration when managing our warehouses. Thankfully, the guidelines from the GMP have helped to set up a general outline that we have expanded to include all of the important documentation, testing, sanitation, and other required processes.

As part of the GMP program, we can more effectively buy, process, and sell high-quality supplies of Kratom.

We Follow Consumer Protection Laws

Finally, we’ve found the work that the American Kratom Association has done in terms of Kratom Consumer Protection laws in America to be very impressive, and we continue to support their efforts in expanding the reach of these laws.

What Are Kratom Consumer Protection Laws?

Kratom consumer protection laws are laws that are set up on the state level to ensure that Kratom is sold safely and legally. Generally known as the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, the AKA has taken their template idea to various states to show how and why these protections matter.

Each state that agrees to adopt measures writes up their own version of the consumer protection laws, so they differ a little bit by each state.

Generally speaking, however, they contain some or all of the following information:

  • ➡ Official definition of Kratom
  • ➡ Guidelines about how to label Kratom
  • ➡ Guidelines about required disclaimers when selling or advertising Kratom
  • ➡ Requirements for Kratom testing
  • ➡ Penalty system for anyone selling untested/low-quality Kratom
  • ➡ Registration process with the state
  • ➡ Ensures that Kratom sales in the state are legal

Essentially, the act would set up a way for the state to be able to monitor Kratom sales and ensure that everything is being done in a safe way. Additionally, this type of legislation ensures that Kratom is made officially legal to take, so that adds another layer of protection for consumers.

We’re working hard in Oregon again this session to pass our version of the KCPA, and we’re hopeful that we will be successful. KCPA laws are decided and passed on a state-by-state basis; click here to find out what the AKA is doing in your state now!

P.S. Don’t forget to leave your public comment with the W.H.O. and U.N. on their proposed international Kratom ban.

Advocating For Kratom In Pandemic Times: How You Can Help

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Phytoextractum has long prioritized the treatment of kratom on the political and social level in America. Using kratom legally and easily in America has been a problem for decades as the policies surrounding its use are constantly evolving. We feel it is important to continue to be involved in pro-kratom advocacy efforts to ensure that our customers can continue to safely access kratom.

However, many of the traditional routes for advocacy in America have been changing in recent months due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As the spread has affected how groups can meet with politicians and other important advocacy resources, the fight for kratom protections is forever changed.

What can you still do to ensure that kratom advocacy can continue with gusto despite the pandemic? Let’s find out together.

Goals of Kratom Advocacy in 2020

Though the world has changed a lot, the ultimate goals for kratom advocacy by large groups like the American Kratom Association continue to be the same today as they were before:

  • Pass KCPA laws in states where no kratom protections exist
  • Continue to enroll vendors in the GMP compliance program
  • Ensure vendors are testing their products properly
  • Set up more third-party independent testing
  • Educating consumers about how to buy kratom safely

COVID-19 & Advocacy

How exactly has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way that kratom advocacy works in 2020?

Fewer Political Meetings and Legislative Sessions

The thing that has probably had the biggest effect on kratom advocacy is the simple fact that most politicians, legislators, and local leaders are not meeting as frequently with advocacy groups. This is due to the strict social distancing requirements needed to slow the pandemic spread, but it is causing a variety of side effects.

Earlier this year, AKA expected to move forward with KCPA proposals in more than 20 states, but many of those states have had to push back the review of such proposals until next year. While this is understandable, it presents a big roadblock for kratom advocacy.

Other Issues Take Priority

Once sessions do resume, it is to be expected that other issues such as health and budgets will take priority before any outside proposals, such as KCPA protections, are able to be brought up, discussed, and voted on. To keep these proposals relevant, advocacy groups like AKA are going to have to work overtime to ensure that they do not get passed over in the confusion that is 2020.

Misinformation

Another problem at this time is misinformation that is being spread by counter-kratom organizations in some regions, particularly in local jurisdictions. Typically, advocacy groups would fan out to try to address this misinformation in real-time, but that is not always possible due to the pandemic, so it has fallen to local citizens to argue for their right to use kratom safely and legally.

How Kratom Lovers Can Help

Are you worried about the future of kratom? Do you want to make sure that it is still both safe and legal to keep using kratom for years to come? If so, it is time to see what you can do to get involved in kratom advocacy efforts. Getting involved in 2020 might look a little different than it did in 2019, but there are still a lot of ways that you can make a difference.

Support the American Kratom Association

We’ve supported the efforts of the American Kratom Association (AKA) for years, and we plan to continue to do so for years to come. It’s not just organizations or businesses like us like that can get involved; you can also get directly involved in their efforts to make things better.

If you visit the AKA website, you can find more about many ways to get involved:

  • Join the AKA forums to discuss and interact with ongoing issues
  • Read the latest updates about kratom legislative actions
  • Find out if any initiatives are ongoing in your state
  • Join the Kratom Advocacy Council to be a more direct helper
  • Donate to support their efforts

Even if you just use AKA to become better informed about the issues that are affecting the kratom community at large, you will be making a difference in the way that kratom is perceived and received in society.

Contact Your Legislators

While AKA and similar advocacy groups can do a lot by working with legislators and local leaders to change the way that kratom is treated, their efforts only mean so much if there aren’t also local residents sharing their views on kratom as well. Legislators are far more likely to support a movement if they know that their constituents are in support of the movement, so using your voice in favor of Kratom in your community can make a huge difference.

Contact your local, state, and national representatives to share your opinion as much as possible. Pay attention to what issues they are voting on and how they are voting. Send letters and emails to explain your support or dissent with various opinions. Doing these things does not take a lot of time, but it does make a huge difference.

Get Educated

Finally, one of the most important things that you can do is to get educated about kratom and current kratom science. Not only does having this information benefit you, but it also makes it possible to refute misinformation publicly whenever you come across it. Having knowledge is power, and that is why we have a complete resources blog to help share what we know with our customers!

Phytoextractum

We want to protect kratom and kratom lovers now and for many years to come, and that is why we have always prioritized ensuring that our standards and processes are held to the highest degree of safety rules. We want to see that become the standard across the entire kratom industry, and that is why we support the work that kratom advocacy groups are doing.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, advocacy has taken on new forms, but it is still just as important as it ever was.