Nine years ago I was stricken with an incurable neurological condition that causes unrelenting pain, extreme fatigue and other symptoms. The medical community doesn't know what causes my condition, how to cure it, or even how to effectively treat it. This condition made me disabled. I've been unable to work or completely take care of myself. I've tried and continue to try every reputable treatment I can for my condition. Despite that, the only thing that has given a dramatic improvement to my symptoms is Kratom. Kratom reduces my pain and vastly improves my quality of life.

I’ve used Kratom as a treatment for over eight years with no ill effect.  For myself and other disabled people that it helps, Kratom is a godsend. Thinking about going back to the pain and suffering I endured before I started taking Kratom is devastating. Kratom needs to be protected and researched for the good of those like me. The research that already exists on Kratom is very promising.   Unlike opioids, Kratom has shown low addiction risk and does not negatively affect the respiratory system. Many former medical professionals like myself have researched Kratom and use it to reduce their symptoms. Those of us who live with overwhelming medical conditions are already suffering enough, please don’t take away a substance that provides great relief. 

Banning Kratom would cause me to require opioids, if I could even get them prescribed. Opioids have been shown to be far more dangerous than Kratom.  Without Kratom I would be in unbearable pain.  Please do not ban a supplement that is helping so many people. A ban would be disastrous to the people of Virginia.