03/12/2016
Kratom Supporters Argue That Scheduling Isn’t Justified
To put this all into perspective, let’s take a look at what kratom is being compared to. If the ban goes into effect, the plant will be in the same category (Schedule I) as drugs such as he**in, L*D and ecstasy.
Also on the DEA’s plan is to make a synthetic drug called U-47700 a Schedule I substance.
U-47700 is said to be at least 7.5 times as potent as morphine.
Some states are signing emergency bans on the drug. On September 27, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi signed a temporary emergency ban.
The drug can be purchased online and is connected to at least 50 deaths nationwide, the Associated Press reported.
In stark contrast, Kratom alone has never been linked to any deaths.
A Reddit user who goes by the name “Electronic Exorcist” described the effects of U-47700:
The only op**tes I have used apart from u-47700 are he**in and oxycodone (IV and nasal). I would put the high somewhere between those.
With about 6mg u-47700 up the nose, then another 6 about an hour later, I am nodding happily. Not much of the ‘uplift’ that oxy has. I get real chill and happy. No matter how bad my day was, it is much better after a few sprays.
In comparison, Dan H. told Heavy how kratom, which is usually used in tea form, makes him feel. “I personally compare it to the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had,” he said. “I don’t feel high, foggy, out of it. I feel ready to take the world on. No pain, less anxiety. I just feel…OK.”
His statement goes along with what several other kratom supporters have said.
Nick Wing, a journalist with the Huffington Post, decided to give the herb a try for himself during a protest at the White House. He stated:
About 20 minutes after finishing the drink, I started to notice some of the commonly reported effects. I felt a familiar feeling, like a caffeine buzz ― that buoyant, airy feeling I used to get years ago, when a double shot of espresso actually affected me. My heart rate felt slightly elevated, though I didn’t take my pulse to measure a change.
I also felt sweatier than normal, though it was hard to tell if that was due to the kratom or from having been out in the heat for the previous hour and a half.
The kratom also produced some mild gastrointestinal effects, a few awkward burps here and there, which left me bordering on nausea for a few minutes.
And that was it. A few hours later, I was completely back to normal.
Skeptics of the DEA’s proposed ban say the reason for the government’s involvement is because pharmaceutical companies don’t make anything off of a natural and healing plant, which is in direct competition of their bottom-line.
It’s hard to imagine even one congressman trying so hard to stop the DEA’s ban on U-47700, and for obvious reasons. Yet dozens of lawmakers are absolutely adamant about helping the kratom community…support that Ash believes will only keep growing as knowledge and letters keep circulating.
