As someone who cannot consume alcohol, take OTC pain medication or smoke marijuana, due to physical and mental health conditions, kratom is my only source of relaxation and pain relief. I am 40 years old and there are not many other places for someone like myself, with the restrictions my conditions cause, to socialize and make friends. As most people can understand, making friends over the age of 30 is not easy. I currently live in Florida, the leading state in kratom and kava bars. However, I am planning to move to Virginia in the next 6 months or so. I chose Virginia, because the first kava bar opened and marijuana is legal (for my husband, who currently has his medical card).If kratom is criminalized, I may have to rethink where I will call home. With that being said, I can honestly say, you will undoubtedly be deterring people from moving to your state. Additionally, I do not understand how marijuana is completely legal in VA, and kratom is looking to be criminalized.