I write in support of keeping Kratom legal in Virginia. It helps chronic pain sufferers, like my wife. She has suffered covid-induced autoimmune diseases after Long-covid. As such, her rheumatoid arthritis has crippled her hands and shoulders. As she uses her hands for her living, she needs pain relief that she uses appropriately in the care of her homeopathic practitioner. With her pain-management doctor, physical therapist, and rheumatologist, they monitor her labs and check liver/kidney function. She was so miserable from chronic and acute pain- the fatigue has been crippling. Now, she is able to exercise by swimming (which helps with the pain and RA). While aware of the risks, my wife has a medical background, she weighed the risks- just as those who weigh the risks of purchasing alcohol, nicotine products, and other addictive products. 

The pharmaceutical company create an Opioid crisis and state regulators and medic practitioners treat patients who suffer from chronic pain as drug-seekers. What options does my wife have left?