A.G. Gancarski
For the third straight session, bills in the Florida House and Florida Senate have been filed to ban the constituent elements of Kratom.
The bills, filed by Democrats Kristin Jacobs in the House and Darryl Rouson in the Senate, would add Mitragynine and Hydroxymitragynine, constituents of Kratom, to the schedule of controlled substances, offering an exception for any FDA approved substance containing these chemicals.
These bills have already been big talkers among our readers, as Rep. Kristin Jacobs memorably compared advocates for the herbal palliative to Adolf Hitler, describing them in an interview as “addicts with glassy eyes and shaky hands.”
Jacobs, who called Kratom prohibition a “fall on the sword” issue for her, now has more than those shaky-handed advocates to contend with, however.
The Coconut Creek Democrat also has one of the most formidable lobbying firms in Tallahassee against her.
As Christine Jordan Sexton of POLITICO Florida reported, four lobbyists from Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney registered on behalf of The American Kratom Association last week.
Those lobbyists: Marnie George, Michael Harrell, Paul Hawkes and Timothy Stanfield.
The Kratom bills face headwinds in both the House and the Senate.
Not only are they being carried by Democrats, there is no equivalent lobby working on the side of the prohibitionists.
While the bills have been referred to committees, as of yet no hearing has been slated for either measure.
64 comments
Becky Jamin
February 14, 2017 at 11:51 am
This is fantastic! Let’s fight the good fight to keep this plant legal and accessable to all!
Boozles
February 14, 2017 at 1:23 pm
Why must Florida try to ruin everything? It’s already the retarded cousin of the United States, which is mainly ignored, but this is just ridiculous.
Kate
February 14, 2017 at 7:32 pm
I hope you’re speaking of our retarded representatives bc we the people of Florida kicks ass
Nicole Burrows
February 17, 2017 at 7:39 am
Ditto
Nicole Burrows
February 17, 2017 at 7:38 am
Retarded is such an ugly word and as a Floridian, born and raised, this is so upsetting and angering to me. How dare you insult my state? Rude
Anthony
February 14, 2017 at 3:43 pm
It’s really screwed up they try to do this. Kratom is a wonderful plant that’s helping people stay off heroin and pharmaceutical drugs. Big pharma is losing money so that’s the real reason they’re doing it. Our government has to tell us what plants we can and cannot have?
Missy
February 15, 2017 at 10:28 am
It’s all about big pharmacy, government loosing money when people get healthy. ..thanks to trumph this shouldn’t be a issue much longer. Trumph has already started putting a halt to fda future because he himself takes kratom when needed. Bye bye fda
Ross
February 16, 2017 at 11:20 pm
What the hell are you talking about? You are making the kratom community sound really ridiculous with comments like this. Smh..
NY Kratom
February 17, 2017 at 10:22 am
Do you actually have any proof that Trump has any experience taking Kratom? I know he hates vaccines, and the rate at which they are administered. I can see him halting Big Pharmas efforts in many areas, but I have never heard of him using any kratom based products.
Becky Jamin
February 24, 2017 at 10:12 pm
Missy, I certainly hope you’re right. I’m now very concerned about our newly appointed Attorney general, Jeff Sessions. He’s a dangerous man.
Kevin Potts
February 14, 2017 at 3:47 pm
I just wonder which pharmaceutical company made a “campaign donation” to her to get this kind of her attention and for her willingness to outright lie for them.
W. Blower
February 14, 2017 at 8:40 pm
I agree. Ms Jacobs definitely has an agenda. She should be investigated. Might have something to do with her llc as well. Follow the money..,,,
Tami
February 14, 2017 at 11:24 pm
We all think Jacobs is getting a huge campaign donation *after* she makes sure this harmless plant is banned. There is no other reason for her to go after it the way she is. There must be something else she can do with herself?
Becky Jamin
February 24, 2017 at 10:16 pm
Kevin, it looks like bigger donation amounts, to her campaign, came from medical. Florida Medical Assn. and HCA of Florida each gave her only $1000. Take a look~~~https://votesmart.org/candidate/campaign-finance/81398/kristin-jacobs#.WLD2PjJrjIU
Heidi
February 14, 2017 at 4:14 pm
Yes!!!
Dick Johnson
February 14, 2017 at 1:22 pm
I fully support the status of kratom to remain legal. It is a wonderful plant!
Bobby land
February 14, 2017 at 1:30 pm
I am for kramton why do I say that because I have been on pain pills and lost everything I own because I was hooked on them and I read about kramton and it gave me my life back and I don’t depend on kramton like I did pain pills r a joke it’s so doctors can get rich and the people who make the pills cause they no u will get hooked on them and this is why they are wonting kramton banned because they loose major amounts of money because once you are on the pain pills u r hooked and they will not do anything to help you got off of them but if you take kramton u can get off of there deadly pills and get ur life back
David
February 14, 2017 at 9:08 pm
I agree! Also with pain pills, the doses need to grow over time to receive the same effect. I use the same dose of Kratom I started with two years ago.
Beatrice Cabral
February 14, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Same here, I was hooked on pain meds for years..all because my Doctor though it was a good idea…before then I didn’t even know I was taking meds that I was gonna be hooked on for 6 years..cuz of Kratom u been of pills for 5 months..all I can say is thank God for this wonderful plant.. So pls don’t fuck it up for the people who need it!!
Carey
February 15, 2017 at 12:04 am
Dude. Use punctuation. I agree 100% with what you are saying, but if you’re trying to advocate for something, the best thing you can do is try not to sound like a 2nd grader.
Linda sheedy
February 15, 2017 at 7:11 am
We’re supposed to be sticking together here people. Let’s not insult each other.
Scott
February 15, 2017 at 8:11 pm
People of ALL educations are part of this. No need to belittle anyone!
Kristy Barnard
February 15, 2017 at 7:13 am
This plant is amazing.I have been saying the same thing. The revenue lost to drugs co, methodon clinics,”liquid heroin “Btw
Ea
February 15, 2017 at 6:12 pm
Please use a period in your sentences every once in a whil. It is super hard to read and your intent could easily be misconstrued. I agree that kratom should be up to the individual, not the FDA or any politician.
Randy Ward
February 14, 2017 at 2:05 pm
This is a product that has tremendous health benefits when used responsibly. The government needs to stop policing every aspect of our lives! There have been no reported deaths due to Kratom!
Robert Stevens
February 14, 2017 at 2:08 pm
It is not crazy to see that all the politicians with money want to make sure they get there sticky fingers on this product before the little people have a chance to be able to afford a plant less addictive than coffee,but that’s the American way ,that’s why we let all the needy foreigners in our country because it’s a highly profitable business now to house and take care of them in shelters I have been in them and seen it first hand as a intern
Fuck cops
February 14, 2017 at 2:10 pm
Fuck cops
Kate
February 14, 2017 at 7:33 pm
Ignorant
Linda sheedy
February 15, 2017 at 7:12 am
Grow up.
Jay P
February 14, 2017 at 2:12 pm
Jacobs is absolutely insane. She has a superb disconnect between her and the people. She is blindly uneducated. Its a shame that rehabs are a large part of under the table lobbying Jacobs to pursue this (in the beginning anyway) and feel threatened by a plant that is so helpful in so many peoples lives. It isn’t hurting anyone yet because they aren’t making money on it they are trying to tell others how to live, very sad where the country has gone. Hope the people of Florida don’t fall victim to this bs.
R. Lubitz
February 14, 2017 at 8:00 pm
Agreed.
Mike
February 14, 2017 at 2:16 pm
SB 424 says they’re trying to make it a Controlled Substance, but says, “providing an exception from scheduling for any drug product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration which contains Mitragynine or 7-Hydroxymitragynine, etc. ”
HB 183 pretty much the same…..DEFINITELY seems to benefit whomever makes it into a Pharmaceutical!!!
Unbelievable Corruption!!
Brandon B
February 14, 2017 at 2:22 pm
Wonderful to see that the Kratom Association is playing the game with the Pros. This fight is for the people and our right to choose our health.
Krista
February 14, 2017 at 3:01 pm
I’m happy to see things may work in our favor after all. Too soon to tell, but I’m really hopeful and have confidence in the AKA and BEA! Everyone must fight this til the end. Please everyone donate and write/call to the lobbyists!
Scott
February 14, 2017 at 3:56 pm
Kristin Jacobs needs to be voted out of office. What a joke. She must be getting that big pharma dollars. She is an enemy of the people
Cathy Schultz MSW
February 14, 2017 at 4:43 pm
Her blatant lies about a plant that’s been helping so many people recover from FL pill mills, plus helping so many professionals veterans, seniors and others to improve their quality of life are catching up to her quick! She should do some research before attacking something she obviously knows nothing about.
Allen Grizzard
February 14, 2017 at 5:02 pm
What a despicable excuse for a human being. Her only reason to want this plant banned is the money she received from big pharma.
Clearly a greedy foul lying woman.
No one gets high kratom. They simply use it to ease pain as an alternative to opiates. I tried it several times and did not get any benefit. But many have.
A detest a lying low life that gets money at the expense of her fellow man.
There are thousands pic people that have been freed the slavery of opiates.
She is disgraceful
Chris
February 14, 2017 at 6:04 pm
Okay I have used kratom. 7 mg that I mixed with 1/3 bottle of orange juice. Than drank a grapefruit juice proceeding. It worked wonders on my joint and back pain. I’m a landscaper and boy that’s some hard work. I had been on hydrocodone for pain and all that done for me was get me addicted then sick as hell as my Torrence went up and I ran out before my next prescription. With kratom I never had to up my dose. In fact it was always the same amount to reap the benefits I was looking for. And way cheaper. I think it’s ridiculously stupid. The government needs to stop trying to keep us from using the herbs and plants whatever they may be that we want for our own reliefs. The pharmacy has been doing the same things for years but the difference is politicians can make money to off that. Pills are all made from a plant/fungus/or some type of alignment from Earth in one form or another. Pain pills/poppy plant, penicillin/fungus, willow bark/aspirin, ephedra synchs/ suddafed, sassafras root/ecstasy, anti depressants/Octea glassiovi, hundreds of plants make pharmaceuticals. If we want to self medicate with kratom, marijuana, barley, cocca whatever leave us to it
John Metzger
February 14, 2017 at 5:59 pm
You cannot get high off the plant. The intended use is to help ease withdrawals from narcotics which are a nationwide epidemic at the moment. It allows people to function while detoxing. If it helps people get off narcotics instead of going to the hospital it will save medical insurances money while saving people without insurance who don’t have the ability to go to the hospital. What is so wrong with that? How can marijuana that does give you a high guaranteed be legalized for recreational use and ban kratom that does not give you a high be made illegal. Big mistake to ban kratom.
Zach Cloud
February 14, 2017 at 8:07 pm
A controlled substance…lol. I spent 17yrs on controlled substances that were issued legally by physicians. Those same medications killed several of my close friends. I have neen addicted and was an addict. Kratom is all natural and has so many benifits and zero draw backs that i have came across in over two years of use. It wasnt until i found this little leaf that i found a real alternative to living my life addiction free. This is the First time in over thirty years that i have my life straightened out. Alcohol and tobaco kill numerous citizens every day. Yet our government still allow the sales of these products. It isnt about safety. Its about getting there sticky fingers in there and making money. Kratom saves lives every day. It was outlawed in its home country because it took an effect and decline heroin and opium sales on the street. Now it looks like the pharmaceutical companies have the same animosity in there hearts here in america. Kratom has so many benifits and a low potential for abuse. Me and many others would have lost our lives by now it it wasnt for this wonderful little plant!!!. Keep Kratom legal,,and save more people!!
Nellie LeGaspe
February 15, 2017 at 12:16 am
The plants name is Moringa, South East Asia have been using it for years. It helps make the blood strong, keep blood preasure down, natural antidepressants, natural anti inflammatory, helps hair grow, skin soft and glows. Things of energy, lowers the chance of diabetes. I used it through a company that uses it in teas and drinks. But you don’t need a company just to go a vitamin shopp or order it from them online… This stuff works… I have lowered my cholesterol. No pressure diabetes. But when I got off of it because they said it was illegal after a couple of weeks my body pain was back, blood pressure up, I was tired, achy…. It never passed… This Moringa does not make you high or stoned you just feel normal… That’s why they want to ban it… It’ll kill big pharmaceutical companies
Becky
February 15, 2017 at 6:37 am
Hi Nellie, Moringa is another amazing botanical, however it is not Kratom. Kratom is Mitragyna speciosa.
Buddy
February 15, 2017 at 2:30 am
This iron-rich plant has many more benefits than first thought . taken daily, it will reverse the effects of anemia. I know this for a fact because my hemoglobin levels are now consistently in the “normal” range for the first time in 10 years. So Keep your money-grubbing paws away from my constitutional freedom!!!!
Steve Bodi
February 15, 2017 at 4:12 am
It’s mentioned that she will be “falling on the sword” this time to get kratom banned…I wonder if she’ll need any help??
Traci
February 16, 2017 at 9:39 pm
LOL
Rachel
February 15, 2017 at 5:02 am
Kratom has gotten me through a rough patch I was going through why take 10 or more painkillers a day with all their side effects including death when you can take a couple of tblspns of kratom which has never killed anyone and has wonderful medical benefits minus the side effects
James Manning
February 15, 2017 at 5:05 am
It is misguided for a state to ban this supplement, as it is difficult to gauge how many residents are turning to it for help with mild pain management, relief from anxiety or depression, or even to stop taking dangerous and addictive prescription or street drugs. Florida would do well to look to Alabama and note that overdose deaths increased after they made the unwise choice to prohibit kratom.
The science is real: used responsibly, kratom does no harm. It should not be sold to children, but adults have a right to use it responsibly and to know that the product is safe, unadulterated, and packaged properly.
Lawmakers, if they wish to serve their constituents and not “mother” them, will do the right thing and keep kratom legal. Prohibition is an extreme road, and the wrong road.
Linda sheedy
February 15, 2017 at 7:22 am
They say they want to combat prescription and street drugs but yet are trying to take away the one thing that is helping people stay off these drugs. Something doesn’t click with that crap. All their gonna do is make more attics out of people that deal with pain everyday of their lives.
Lola Estrada
February 15, 2017 at 8:27 am
My son and daughter in law started taking Kratom 2 yrs ago. After having walked through addiction to opiates with them I had some reservation about Kratom at first. My main concern was the expense ($15 for an ounce of liguid drinkable shot) mainly sold here in NH at smokeshops and $40 for 50 pills.
However, now they get it online and drink it.
I not only researched it, but tried it myself.
It may taste nasty but the experience was pleasant.
Government control on a plant that not only helps with addiction( especially opiates ), but so many other aliments and chronic diseases for so many is just wrong.
I mean look how far we’ve come with pot after over 50 yrs of negative misinformed politicians lying that its a gateway drug.
I agree big pharma hates anything good they can’t control and this should be a personal choice not the ignorant clueless government’s.
I signed the first petition to stop the ban and will continue to advocate for its use for all.
Becky Jamin
February 15, 2017 at 8:47 pm
Thank you for your support Lola. I’m so happy that you and your family have had success with Kratom. You might look for online vendors who sell the powdered leaf. It’s much less expensive.
Steven
February 15, 2017 at 10:04 pm
Kratom saved my life….thanks for sharing your story! A good vendor I use is mfkonline.us for kratom capsules. Its much cheaper than what you are talking about. It works out to about 18 an oz (75 caps)
Michelle Alvord
February 25, 2017 at 10:00 pm
This is so sad and I look forward to continuing to fight the good fight and keep this MIRACLE LEAF in the hands of we the people!! Our right! Our bodies! We can be Charge of our own healthcare!! God already has everything here for us, it’s found in nature!! Not Labs!! Doctors and BIG PHARMA are the #1 KILLERS OF AMERICANS & CANADIANS!! Why don’t we stop them!! DE-FUND the DEA!! They wage war on the American People not the war on “Drugs”!!!
They already tried to ruin my family and our online family business over 100%Legal Kratom and 100% Legal CBD
And they are not illegal!! Arrested my husband, stole all inventory and so much more. We are fighting this with all we have and that’s with the support of all friends and family and new family made through our business. It changed my husband and myself lives over 6 years ago which is why we got into the business. To share this amazing gift with anyone who needs or could benefit from it!!
We are HillCountryWellness.com aka HillCountryKratom aka HCK
We have a compassionate care program sliding scale and hook our vets who should be honored up!! We all need to stand together in this it is something worth fighting for.
~Michelle Alvord
Becky Jamin
February 26, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Michelle, are you in the US? I will gladly share your site on my facebook kratom group. I wish you all the best. #kratomsaveslives #iamkratom
Peace and Kratom on!
Michelle Alvord
February 27, 2017 at 1:30 pm
Yes we are in the United States. We are HCK Wellness.com formerly Hill Country Kratom
Best known by our loyal family members as HCK
We are a family company and still in shock of being targeted and illegally raided and having to move and change everything, yet keep everything going for our Daughter and our HCK Family. We are still working to resolve all the issues pertaining to “Raid/Search/Seizure” They had ZERO grounds for turning our lives upside down. Our Bodies = Our Temples, Our Temples =Us being in charge of them in every way! Our Bodies!! Our Healthcare is our choice it’s our God given right!! God put everything we need here for us already!! No need for people in labs trying to make answers, that in turn have terrible effects. If the list of possible effects are worse than what is going on with you, well we must question that. No one has ever overdosed on Kratom!! EVER!! It doesn’t work like that! Doctors and BIG PHARMA are the #1 killers of Americans and Canadians!! We should be banning the Shaklers and other elite /Drug company owners! Banning
All 3 letter organizations trying to pass laws, make rules and regulations that were not put there by we the people!!
Becky Jamin
February 27, 2017 at 9:49 pm
I couldn’t imagine going through what you had to. Good bless you for coming back strong.
#kratomsaveslives
benjamin slider
February 15, 2017 at 10:29 am
We the People. Make the rules. Not politicians. Used to be when there was an issue. We the People March up to the head office and throw their ass out of that office. If there’s a problem. I don’t understand why this is so hard to comprehend. Thousands of people say keep it legal. Less than 20 say make it illegal. Why is this difficult to get?
Noah Chandler
February 15, 2017 at 12:35 pm
The country it mainly comes from ban kratom because it took away too much revenue from opium sales, it’s been made legal since but I’m pretty sure that we’re having a very similar problem with big pharmaceutical and the pain pills they push, wake up American
Traci
February 15, 2017 at 3:16 pm
Kratom has saved many going down the wrong road, myself included. I take Kratom daily for pain now instead of the poison big pharma is offering. If these senators and representatives would try some they would know the good of the plant. Someone should set up an opportunity for them to try it.
Jonathan Anonymous
February 15, 2017 at 10:17 pm
I am against banning nature. Alcohol harms more people. Tobacco harms more people. Vehicles harm more people. Tylenol, fast food, energy drinks and even furniture harms more people then kratom ever has. So where is the push to ban any of those???
If Florida claims to be a member of the land of the free, shouldn’t it’s citizens be free to choose which herb(s) work best for their personal well being? The answer you are looking for is YES.
Also, back in 2015 the FDLE concluded that kratom poses no risk to Florida’s public health, which is why it remained legal in Florida 2016. Let’s keep it that way!
Special thanks to the legislators, law enforcement, lawyers, doctors, veterans and citizens who know the truth about this miracle plant and advocate for its legality and use by consenting adults 18 years of age and older.
MAY LIBERTY TRIUMPH!
FreeSpirit
February 17, 2017 at 8:31 am
A “fall on my sword issue” translates to “someone in the Pharma industry has paid me VERY well to ride this out and if I succeed in getting kratom banned, the pay off will be ENOURMOUS.” Soul-less bloodsucking politician. Kristin Jacobs and those of her ilk are what needs to be banned from this country! The bribed and bought hive minded minions of the system will NOT stop until they have taken away Every. Good. Thing. from Americans.
Justin Guenther
February 21, 2017 at 10:23 am
We need to united as a country! All these states going in a different direction that what our country is trying to go is completely counter-productive. Its 2017, havent we had enough over crowding in jails and innocent, healthy, good people being arrested for things like this?! Come on, give it a rest! Kratom allows prior addicts to live healthy, successful lives. And here we have the government trying to progress the opiate epidemic even further and lock up good people, taking up space in jails that REAL criminals could be using!
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