The meeting focused on Christopher's recent successful Kratom education event at the chamber, where he presented to approximately 30-40 people and received positive feedback. Christopher shared that a county official expressed interest in future presentations and requested he educate the community about Kratom. The group discussed various Kratom products, including extracts and 7OH, and debated serving sizes and packaging requirements. They also explored alternative uses for Kratom, such as topical applications for pain relief, and shared personal experiences with different Kratom products and their effects. The conversation concluded with discussions about the challenges of educating retailers about Kratom and the importance of proper product labeling and dosage instructions. Summary Kratom Education and Community Outreach Christopher hosted a successful event with about 30-40 attendees, where he presented information about Kratom and addressed their questions. A representative from Cumberland County expressed interest in having Christopher give a future presentation about Kratom to their community. Christopher shared that he used a 12-minute educational video from Oliver Grunman of the University of Florida to provide balanced information about Kratom's uses and potential risks. https://vimeo.com/1164808691?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci Kratom Regulation and Advocacy Strategies The group discussed the importance of simplifying complex information, particularly in educational and regulatory contexts, with Christopher emphasizing the need for clear labeling and consistent measurement standards for kratom products. They explored the effectiveness of personal stories and local advocacy in influencing legislative outcomes, highlighting successful community engagement and testimony across various states. The conversation also touched on the challenges of keeping websites and information up to date amid rapid regulatory changes, as well as the potential for text message updates to improve communication efficiency.

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

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.

Quick recap The meeting focused on the ongoing challenges and efforts to advocate for kratom, including discussions about recent local and state bans, the importance of community involvement, and the need for better coordination among advocacy groups. Participants shared updates on local kratom bans, including in Cobden, Illinois, and emphasized the importance of quickly spreading information to prevent further restrictions. They discussed the need for clear communication and collaboration among advocacy organizations to address misinformation and support community members affected by these bans. The conversation also touched on the benefits of kratom and the importance of educating the public and policymakers about its uses and safety. Summary Production, Surgery, and Botanical Medicine Christopher discussed his recent recovery from an injury and upcoming surgery scheduled around a Chamber of Commerce open house on February 12th. He mentioned managing production and coordinating with local co-packers to keep shipping costs down. Venus shared her plans to attend a pain medicine class offered by the state of Delaware, expressing her interest in advocating for botanical medicine in such educational settings. Christopher agreed with Venus's stance on the importance of plant medicine and mentioned a recent blog post on his Substack about the rights to grow medicinal plants at home. Kratom Regulation Challenges Across States Christopher and Venus discussed the challenges and regulations surrounding kratom cultivation and use, particularly in New Jersey, where medical patients cannot grow their own plants. They expressed frustration with misinformation and differing state regulations. Angela shared an update about California's alcoholic beverage control agency threatening to pull liquor licenses from businesses selling kratom and 70H, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the kratom community. Kratom Ban Advocacy Challenges The group discussed the widespread and increasing number of proposed kratom bans across the United States, with Angela noting that over 70% of the country now has proposed bans, the highest rate since 2014. They identified that Lucas County, Ohio had banned kratom without wider awareness, and agreed that better coordination between advocacy organizations was needed to prevent such gaps. The discussion highlighted concerns about misinformation being used in local hearings, with Christopher emphasizing the need for the FDA to update their website with current scientific information about kratom, particularly regarding plain leaf products.

Quick recap The meeting focused on the challenges and strategies surrounding Kratom advocacy, including the need for coordinated efforts among various organizations to combat misinformation and regulatory threats. Participants discussed the overwhelming number of Kratom-related bills across states and the importance of unifying advocacy groups to present a unified front. They emphasized the necessity of educating the public and policymakers about Kratom's safety and benefits, while addressing concerns about 7-OH products and the industry's marketing practices. The group also highlighted the need for clear communication and shared resources to effectively counter misinformation and support legislative efforts. Summary Kratom Legislation Tracking Update The group discussed the overwhelming number of Kratom-related bills being tracked through Legiscan, with over 130 results across multiple states. Robin expressed concern about bills in states like Montana that aren't listed on Legiscan, while Christopher noted New Jersey has three different types of Kratom legislation. The team, including Twinkle and Venus, acknowledged the growing number of states and localities taking action against Kratom, with Robin emphasizing the need for better coordination of volunteers between organizations like AKA and GKC. Unified Advocacy Strategy Discussion The group discussed challenges with coordinating advocacy efforts across different organizations and the need for a unified approach. Twinkle expressed a desire for a "one-stop shop" to streamline information sharing and volunteer coordination. Christopher suggested dividing responsibilities among organizations, with AKA focusing on lobbying and other groups handling social media and advocacy outreach. Robin emphasized the importance of having enough boots on the ground to effectively address the issue, referencing past successful campaigns. The group also discussed the need to overcome fear and stigma surrounding kratom and the importance of sharing comprehensive information about the situation.