Weekly Tea Talks Summary This week’s Tea Talk focused on advocacy fatigue, regulatory momentum, and why natural, plain-leaf kratom remains the most defensible and responsible path forward. We discussed how advocacy has become nonstop—hearings, town councils, subcommittees—and how tools like recorded Zoom summaries help keep up when attendance isn’t possible. A key takeaway from recent meetings (including Massachusetts and Georgia): momentum is building toward banning synthetic derivatives while allowing natural kratom leaf to remain legal, albeit with guardrails. A major theme was the critical distinction between natural kratom leaf and synthetic or highly altered derivatives. The group emphasized that these products are not interchangeable, do not share the same safety profiles, and should not be regulated the same way. Education remains the biggest gap policymakers face. We also covered: - Why whole-plant kratom is historically, scientifically, and practically easier to defend - The role of responsible regulation (labeling, testing, age limits, GMPs) versus bans - How poor farming practices, over-harvesting, young trees, fillers, and shortcuts degraded kratom quality post-2018 - Why old-growth, wild-harvested trees produce a fuller alkaloid profile and better outcomes - The importance of farm-to-table traceability, batch testing, and release testing to protect consumers - How misinformation and sensational headlines continue to conflate leaf with synthetics - Why “less is more” remains foundational to responsible kratom use - The need for community-level education, storytelling, and calm, factual advocacy We also had a deep discussion on strain differences, fermented (dark) reds, dosing nuance, digestion, gut health, and why many people don’t need extracts when quality leaf and proper education are in place. The call to action was clear: - Stay grounded - Stay factual - Support responsible standards - Keep telling the truth—even when it’s exhausting

I wasn't sure if anyone was interested, but there are MAHA meetings on Wednesdays at 4 pm. Top health professionals are attending, and it may be a good way to talk about natural kratom. I registered for all of the upcoming meetings. https://www.mahaaction.com/mediahub

People love to panic about kratom, but let’s talk facts. In the U.S., Tylenol acetaminophen causes around 400–500 deaths every single year, mostly from liver failure and accidental overdose. It’s sold everywhere and considered “safe.” Meanwhile, kratom has been used by millions, and CDC data shows far fewer deaths, with most cases involving multiple substances like opioids or alcohol. Kratom alone is rarely the sole cause. If we truly care about public safety, we need honest comparisons, not fear campaigns. Kratom saves lives for pain patients and people in recovery. Misinformation costs lives. #KeepKratomLegal #HarmReduction #KratomSavesLives #FactsOverFear

The meeting focused on discussing recent developments in the kratom industry, including a new Health Advisory from Watchung, New Jersey, and updates on regulatory challenges. Participants shared concerns about misinformation campaigns and the need for better education about kratom's uses and safety. They also discussed the potential impact of new synthetic opioids, particularly 7-OH, and the need for more research and responsible regulation. The group explored ideas for improving advocacy efforts, including better communication with vendors and customers. They also touched on the importance of proper testing and quality control in the kratom supply chain. The conversation concluded with updates on personal experiences and the dedication of some industry members to maintaining high standards in the face of challenges. Summary Kratom Regulation and Advocacy Challenges The group discussed a new Kratom Health Advisory for Wachong, New Jersey, from the Middlebrook Regional Health Commission, which contains alarmist language about Kratom. Christopher shared his experience with a Massachusetts town that initially opposed Kratom but later reversed their position after receiving more information. The group expressed concerns about pharmaceutical companies potentially gaining exclusive access to Kratom through research and regulation, which could limit public access. They also discussed Washington State's proposed 96% tax on Kratom products and the challenges of getting vendors involved in advocacy efforts. Kratom and Synthetic Opioids Discussion The group discussed the mention of synthetic 7OH as a new opioid in a White House press conference, with Christopher sharing a YouTube link to the relevant segment. They debated the implications for Kratom, noting that while the DOJ is addressing synthetic opioids, Kratom itself remains untargeted. Christopher emphasized his company's commitment to customer education and proper dosing, contrasting with what he sees as reckless practices in the industry.

In this week's episode (coming out later this week), Jordan tells his incredible story of discovering kratom.