research

The Future of Kratom: New Research Funding in the US

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When we post about the future of kratom, we often talk about the importance of research. Research about kratom over the last decade has remained fairly limited. Limitations are caused by a lack of funding as well as the problem of confusing supply streams. Additionally, there is the constantly changing legal situation in the US and other countries to consider when doing research.

Recently, it’s been seen that more kratom research may be funded in order to discover whether kratom may have benefits outside its intended use as a wellness product. With the growing public health crisis in America, it’s great to see kratom being taken more seriously.

And, it’s interesting to see exactly what is being considered. Today, we’ll talk about the December Congress Appropriations Bill, what type of research could be funded, and what that might mean for the future of kratom in America.

What Legislation Was Passed?

Every year, the American government has to set up the fiscal budget for the upcoming year. While this budget is technically due in on October 1st before the new year begins, it often isn’t submitted until well into the new year.

The FY2020 budget, however, was passed in the form of two mini bills in late December. Together, these two legislation packages set up appropriations for the 12 required areas. The bills, H.R. 1865 and H.R. 1158, set the stage for all government-funded agencies and programs for the next year.

Overall, most areas were given budget increases, so this is good science for science, research, and social services going into the future.

New Kratom Legislation

Legislation about kratom was included within these bills, and we are excited about the potential that comes along with this change.

The FY2020 Appropriations Bills passed by Congress specifically mention the need to do more research about natural products that might be able to be used in place of certain approved drugs. In particular, kratom and CBD are mentioned as potential alternatives that need to be studied in greater detail.

The bills list a need for doing more research about kratom to gain a better understanding of both the risks and the potential benefits of developing therapies from this natural substance. This additional research should also cover the details of kratom’s composition.

Overall, Congress suggested that at least $1 million dollars should be provided in research funding particularly to find an alternative to potentially harmful drugs that are currently causing a crisis in America.

Why Is More Research Needed?

You might be wondering why we find this research so important; why does it stand out from all of the other appropriations mentioned?

For us, kratom research is of the utmost importance, and it is something that we want to see happening more as soon as possible. Right now, kratom remains in a precarious position in America. While many states have passed Kratom Consumer Protection Laws to ensure the safety of kratom consumers, other states have passed laws against kratom consumption out of fear.

More research will make it possible for state and local governments to make clear and logical decisions about whether or not kratom should be legal. Organizations like the American Kratom Association do their best to help support kratom research and news, but support is needed on a federal level to make this type of research possible.

Without support from the federal government to do kratom research, it can be difficult for scientists to have access to kratom to be able to study it. This support will make it easier for kratom to be obtained for legal research, and that is sure to make a big difference in the future of kratom in America.

Other Legislation Updates

While the kratom research included in the legislation is very interesting, it certainly wasn’t the only thing that was included in these packets! Much of the fiscal budgeting passed is not directly related to natural substances or our areas of expertise, so we are only going to focus on overviewing the most related areas.

  • Cannabis Research:
    Cannabis came up a number of times throughout the conversations about the budget. In particular, Congress suggested that the National Institute on Drug Abuse do a report about how cannabis is currently being classified on the drug scheduling system.

    Currently, cannabis is still somewhat difficult to study because it is federally classified as a Schedule I substance. This means that scientists cannot always access it if they are using federal funding, so that should change in the future. The change will allow additional studies to be done more freely.
  • Medical Cannabis:
    Congress also included provisions to ensure that the federal government cannot prevent medical marijuana programs from being set up or continued in individual states.
  • Hemp Farming Provisions:
    Politicians took the time and effort to ensure that the process of hemp farming legalization is still going smoothly. The Farming Act of 2018 ensured that the hemp industry would get a boost, but there is still more that can be done to ensure that farmers are getting the support that they need. For FY2020, $16.5 million was set aside for this.

Progress in America

All of these provisions show that there is positive momentum in American politics to decriminalize, legalize, and protect consumers of natural substances. This is the momentum that we love seeing, and we are excited to track this progress as it continues.

To see this kind of change in America, we continue to support organizations like the American Kratom Association that are working to ensure that consumers are protected. Protection is needed to ensure that consumers aren’t at risk for buying tainted goods and also to make sure they aren’t at risk of prosecution.

Overall, we are excited about the progress happening in America in regards to natural products, and we can’t wait to see what else happens!

Kratom Update: Removed From “Narcotics List” In Thailand

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It’s both very cool and very scary that the laws about kratom in this country and around the world are changing rapidly. On the one hand, bans are being enacted in some areas where negative propaganda has outweighed kratom support. On the other hand, positive changes are also happening almost every day.

In late December, representatives of Thailand’s government made it known that kratom will be formally removed from the narcotics list in Thailand in the near future.

If you know anything about where kratom comes from or the history of kratom laws in Thailand, you know that’s a pretty big deal. Let’s talk about why this matters, what exactly is changing, and how we can expect those changes to effect kratom use in the USA.

The Big Changes

A few major things have happened in Thailand:

  1. 1. Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly has voted (166 – 0) to legalize medical marijuana.
  2. 2. They also agreed to change the way that the National Narcotics Control Committee is set up.
  3. 3. Thailand’s Health and Justice Ministers wrote a memorandum advocating for the removal of both kratom and cannabis from the National Narcotics List and set them up for medical usage.

Each of these three changes has to go through the government before they are fully enacted, but change is on the horizon.

Let’s talk about each of these changes briefly, and then we’ll go into more detail about the kratom changes.

#1: Legalize Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana was passed through the National Assembly with overwhelming support. It will take some time for the logistics of how medical marijuana will be managed, so it is not expected for this law to change on paper for a few more months.

In Thailand, laws are not usually considered active until they are published in the national gazette.

At this time, it is also not clear if the current punishments for possession or use of marijuana outside of medical usage. Currently, the punishment in Thailand for this type of possession is very severe, so it will be interesting to see if that changes.

#2: Narcotics Control Committee

The Narcotics Control Committee is the organization in Thailand that controls the punishments, laws, and scheduled narcotics list in Thailand. This organization has faced some scrutinization over time, so the structure of it will be changing.

#3: Memorandum For Kratom Removal

Thailand’s government has started the process of removing kratom and marijuana from the national narcotics list. The memorandum states that these substances should be moved into a controlled and regulated industry as they will have a lot of benefits for Thai people as well as the economy.

Now that the memorandum is in action, the next step will be for the National Legislative Assembly to vote on this change. The minister has suggested that the bill will be voted on by that group in March. If it passes, it will take a few more months for it to go into effect.

 When it is passed, companies will be able to start researching kratom, those with medical permission will be able to take kratom, and doctors will be able to use it to help patients as well.

Medical Changes First

It’s important to point out that these changes are aimed at only medical uses for both marijuana and kratom at this time. It is not expected for Thailand to completely legalize the use of either substance any time soon.

Think about the process that has been going on in the United States to legalize cannabis. First, limited medical usage was approved. Then, that usage was expanded in some states to be for recreational use as well. Now, it seems that the entire country is on the path for full legalization.

Should Thailand decide to fully decriminalize and legalize either of these substances, the process will likely go through a similar, gradual transition.

Thailand’s government has not yet set up the process for medical usage of either substance. However, some hospitals are already able to provide them for patient use.

A Changing Worldview

In the past, substances like marijuana and kratom were placed on the narcotics list for a variety of reasons. Still, the main reason was heavy opioid usage and the desire to cut down on any potential drug problems in the country.

These days, more research has been done about substances such as marijuana and kratom. The Thai government believes the research suggests beneficial effects. The government is seeing that changing the laws might be appropriate to reflect the science.

Another huge factor that is moving this idea along in Thailand is the idea that it could be great for the economy. Kratom production is severely regulated around the world, and the supply stream is dwindling. In Indonesia, for example, all kratom farms are being required to close in the next five years.

If Thailand were to start producing kratom and allow its sale internationally, it could secure a large boost for its economy. While nothing has yet been decided about whether or not kratom farming and processing will be permitted, it’s likely something that the government will consider.

Will This Affect Kratom In The US?

Most people that are using kratom and living in the US are going to be most curious about how these changes might affect them.

Ultimately, there are a few different ways that these changes could affect us here in the states. At this point, all of this is speculation, so keep that in mind. It will take a few months to know if any direct or waterfall effects occur here after these laws are made official.

First, it is possible that this change in Thailand’s laws will make it even more difficult for the FDA to push through an outright ban on kratom. Currently, the FDA often cites the fact that kratom is considered a narcotic in Thailand, where it grows wild. Once kratom is treated differently in Thailand, kratom might stand a better chance here, too.

Second, the change in laws about kratom in Thailand may make it easier for researchers to access and study kratom as it grows in the wild as well as in controlled settings.

Frequently, kratom is written off because people don’t believe that enough research about it has been done. While the research done about kratom is actually fairly extensive, more research is always beneficial when trying to prove the safety and usefulness of a botanical like kratom.