A.G. Gancarski
For the third straight year, Rep. Kristin Jacobs filed a bill in the Florida House to ban Kratom.
However, this time is different for Jacobs, who submitted her proposal earlier this month.
Not only is she carrying a bill that already failed twice, but Jacobs also decided to sell the bill by calling the Kratom lobby “just like Hitler.”
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Reaction came from Kratom advocates very quickly, contending that — as we wrote — “Godwin’s law makes bad law.”
Kratom supporters in Florida (and well beyond) bristled at the comparison to the author of one of history’s most horrific genocides, simply for advocating for their own natural right to benefit from the analgesic properties of a plant.
We saw the reaction, via dozens and dozens of comments on our site.
No comments were advocating a ban on the constituent parts of Kratom.
There were comments from veterans; those suffering chronic pain; others who had shaken off the legitimately life-threatening effects of opioids, ranging from Big Pharma to street heroin.
The consistent message: Kratom is a lifesaver.
Jacobs, who equated Kratom to heroin in our interview, also maligned those who have traveled to Tallahassee to testify in the House. She mocked them for being “addicts with glassy eyes and shaky hands.”
Those so-called “addicts” will have some new ammunition for committee hearings, as Jacobs’ comparison of Kratom advocates to Hitler has received some national exposure this week.
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In the Huffington Post, Nick Wing follows up on our pieces on Jacobs’ “meltdown” earlier in the week.
“The drug warrior mindset is alive and well in the Florida state legislature,” Wing observes.
Wing was unsuccessful in getting a comment for his post from Jacobs, an indication that the lawmaker may be trying to distance herself from her unguarded polemic days back.
Meanwhile, just as a Florida-based advocate for Kratom’s medicinal benefits took umbrage at Jacobs, national Kratom advocates have gotten into the act, as quoted by the Huffington Post.
Susan Ash, the founder of the American Kratom Association, told the website that she had “never been more offended by a comment made about our efforts.”
Kratom advocates have reached out to Jacobs, Ash adds, but have been rebuffed.
12 comments
James
January 12, 2017 at 5:28 pm
Another mark of the zealot: refusal to listen those who may disagree.
Let us hope the good people of Florida take note.
Becky Jamin
January 13, 2017 at 10:34 pm
I’ve lived in Florida for 61 of my 62 years and I’m astounded that this ‘representative’ is wasting my tax dollars, for the third time, on this nonsense. She is NOT representing the people of Florida! She is self serving! It’s obvious that she is NOT interested in facts or science. I’ve used herbs and many other naturals all my life including kratom tea and I’m a responsible, law abiding, voting Wife , of 27 years, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother who is employed full time as a dental assistant. I’ve worked at my present job for almost 14 years and before that I worked for the same Dentist for 17 years. I’d love for Ms. Jacobs to explain to me how I would be able to hold a great job, for that many years, if I had “glassy” eyes and “shaking hands”! How dare she compare me to a heroin addict! My wholehearted belief is that she has been bought and paid for by Big Pharma or the ‘Addicts for Sale’ big money rehab businesses here in Florida. The other thing she has totally incorrect is that the American Kratom Association is a non-profit organization. No one in the AKA makes ANY money ( and will LOSE no money) from ANYTHING they do and believe me, they, and we, will fight this fight for our rights to choose natural over deadly man made!
Jacobs in my crosshairs
January 14, 2017 at 2:39 am
I will be aiming for Ms Jacobs in the near future. Not literally but figuratively speaking. She is not a respresentative of me and I will make sure she doesn’t get my vote.
I am a disabled veteran and I have tried everything the VA offers. Unless it’s opiates, there is no other solution. I’ve had 8 surgeries and each one has made my pain worse. I am in my early 30’s and my body feels like it’s 80 on a daily basis. Why? Because I sacrificed my body for this great country. A country that now has out of touch politicians who think it’s ok to tell their citizens what’s good or bad for them. There is no freedom in this new aged life we live. Everywhere we turn the government wants more rules, laws or regulations. Is that freedom? Mrs. Jacobs argument isn’t even based on fact. Fact is, not one single death has occurred in the state of Florida from Kratom alone. Can the same be said about alcohol or tobacco? Absolutely not. But politicians along the line have been paid off by breweries and tobacco companies. That’s why they are safe. Mrs. Jacobs ties to the medical world and big pharmaceutical companies tell the story of why she’s attempted this circus act for the third time. We the people are getting sick and tired of lazy, no good politicians, selling us out every chance they get just to pad their wallet and make their lobbyist happy. We are your focus Mrs. Jacobs, not the multi millionaire CEO’s of large corporations that are only fueled by greed. Mrs. Jacobs ban would mean that I’d be forced to take powerful opioids for the rest of my life. Just to be able to get in the floor to play with my kids on occasion. Just to be able to sleep in a chair while my 9 month old son goes through cancer treatment. Just to be a dad. Do you really have my best interests at heart Mrs. Jacobs or am I just a glassy eyed, shaky hand addict?
Kimi Dodd
January 14, 2017 at 1:20 pm
I to am a Disabled Veteran and suffer from chronic pain and I’m allergic to pain meds. I’ve been using kratom for 8 years or more now to manage my pain. It’s given me my life back! For Ms. Jacobs to compare kratom users as heroin addicts and call the AKA Hitler is the most unprofessional thing I’ve ever heard from an elected official. Ms. Jacobs you need to resign! You obviously have no compassion for the people who use this wonderful plant for pain management!
Melissa
January 14, 2017 at 3:53 am
Rep. Jacobs’ reference to one of the most destructive persons ever to walk this Earth is absolutely offensive and ridiculous in the context of advocates that simply desire to choose a safer alternative & better lives. (Whether in her district/state or not). Offensive and a show of desperation. The facts about kratom are available and she knows exactly what they are. Her ‘argument’ has no basis in truth and I think she just destroyed her life in politics. She did say she’d fall on the sword… time for a new person to represent her constituents. Nothing credible, just name calling and very offensive to most.
novena Forbes
January 14, 2017 at 4:28 am
The heroin crisis is ravaging the nation and one huge solution is right under our noses. Most heroin (opiate) addicts will tell you that the high is long gone. Their daily struggle is to stay above the horrific withdraws. Some choose to OD rather than endure them. Now there’s hope. Heroin users are flocking to the internet to purchase kratom after hearing that it removes 80 to 90% of opiate withdraws. For $100 they are buying enough kratom to detox themselves to freedom. They are forming support groups online where they share compassionate caring friendships with members they call family. Inspired members are nurturing others through detox to freedom. They are sharing their experience with this miracle leaf and are growing expeditiously. One group has 20K members. When the expected ban was announced, within two weeks they were standing at the white house gates making their voices heard and within thirty days collected over 100K signatures to stop the ban. Thousands opened their hearts and shared their most personal stories to support kratom.
In Alabama where it was banned heroin OD deaths have doubled. In NC where was made legal for adults, heroin OD dropped dramatically. Now your state is facing the decision, and you have the opportunity to make kratom legal for adults so that heroin (opiate) users can take responsibility for their own detox without it being a felony. Don’t we owe them that? After all, the government allowed opiates on the market without giving the user an out. The least they can do is allow users a way off opiates without the horrific withdraws. It doesn’t cost the government a dime!
Jay Schankman
January 14, 2017 at 6:56 am
Sheer idiocy. Whether her constituents realize the BigPharma motivations behind her bat-silliness or not, this one comment made, especially in Florida, should make for a rough attempt at re-election. Yet another affront to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Donna Hackney
January 14, 2017 at 10:29 am
I am 59 years old with multiple back issues. I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a dispatcher of a commercial HVAC company. When I was in pain management I couldn’t be a efficient in my daily duties. I couldn’t remember what I had done yesterday. I was out of it. I was addicted to my pain killers even though I only took them exactly as prescribed. They did not stop the pain in my back and the drugs only boggled my mind and spirit. Kratom has been used for centuries without deaths. I do not understand Ms. Jacobs motives here. I’m certainly not glassy eyes or have shaking hands. The Kratom community will not tolerate these lies this woman is spreading.
Rep Jacobs has anger issues
January 14, 2017 at 2:30 pm
I whole heartedly believe that she was paid off by Pharma, and it seems like she needs a little kratom for that anger problem that she has. Kratom can help bipolar disorder.
Keith
January 15, 2017 at 12:47 pm
For the third year in a row, Kristin Jacobs is spewing huge lies about Kratom. Thats not surprising, thats just what she does. However, I was very surprised that she had AUDACITY to compare me, and the rest of our Kratom community to the likes of Adolf Hitler! She claims the WE are beginning to believe our own lies similar the Third Reich. I certainly do take offense to this, as do the millions of other Kratom consumers in our Country. She crossed the line this year for sure. There is no place in American politics for the level of lies that Mrs. Jacobs is spreading. It is blatantly obvious that she has no idea what she is doing, saying, or claiming. Her superiors need to realize that the hate fuled comments, thrown out by Mrs. Jacobs, make the entire state of Florida look really bad. If she continues in her role, the state of Florida is sending the message that hate speech is tolerated, and even condoned. My father lives in Mrs. Jacobs district, and would suffer immensely from a Kratom ban, so even though I live in NY, I have a personal stake in what happens in Florida. I cannot sit back and watch Kristin Jacobs ruin my families life. She needs to resign, or be removed immediately. I am really shocked that she has not been asked to step down already. In a world where hate and terror are everywhere, we do not need out political leaders throwing fuel on the fire. Kristin Jacobs needs to not only leave her position, but I think her political career should be permanently over. She should not be allowed to lead, protect, or represent anyone or anything in any state.
M. Gevedon
January 17, 2017 at 11:09 am
Just another politician trying to move up in the political world who has absolutely no clue what she is talking about. Another 5 star political genius (not)
I am glad that I dont live in Florida , even though 2/3rd of my family does . I feel sorry for their tax dollars being wasted and even the idea they have to deal with this… its hard enough everywhere else in the USA without having an all out moron in Florida telling people that Kratom is like heroin and the AKA is like Hitler.. if there is ANY HItler comparison to be made it woudl be to Jacobs herself trying to FORCE her views and HER beliefs on everyone else and condemns anyone who disagrees… now who reminds you of Hitler more…
Little thoughts from tiny minds…. and thats all. Like I said I feel sorry for you guys in Florida. You need to make sure she gets voted oUT next time there is an election.. guaranteed shes wanting a higher political office and she needs a cause.. thing is she chose the most idiotic one to fight , especially since she apparently knows NOTHING about Kratom at all beyond what some forlorn idiots have told her…just another monkey in human clothes.
Joana Dougherty Mcgee
January 18, 2017 at 2:57 pm
Kratom is a lifesaver. I am a 60 year old professional who, after having two cancers and several other serious, painful health conditions, was rendered a pain patient, for the fallout from aggressive radiation treatment. Heavy narcotics, dealing myriad negative side-effects, were the only things that allowed me to live a somewhat normal life, until I discovered Kratom, over two years ago. The cognitive limitations that I had developed as a result of responsibly taking the narcotics (and their attending sleep medications and anti-depressants) had suffocated the life that I’d always lived, and left me clouded and inactive. Since 12.31.14, I have not had to take ONE prescription prescription pain pill, sleeping aid, or anti depressant. This is nothing short of a miracle. There is NO “high-making” property in this plant, and the suggestion that those who depend on Kratom are inarticulate, shaking messes is deeply insulting — not to mention *inaccurate.* And the Hitler reference — that embarrassing comparison alone shows this person to be rather “off.” These scare tactics and pigeonholing are reprehensible. If I lose my access to this incredible, life-saving plant, I will be forced to return to narcotics, and to the life that was more limited each day, as narcotics eat away at my personality, my organs, and my very existence. Not OK. SHAME on those maligning Kratom. Shame. ~jmdm
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