I have been a chronic pain patient for over 20 years. In that time I have been prescribed a variety of opioids, including Oxycontin, morphine, Dilaudid, and fentanyl. Without pain medication, I am confined to my bed in severe pain. 

Due to changing laws, it has become more difficult to access opioids. Despite a PERFECT history and zero symptoms of addiction, many pharmacies will refuse to fill the prescription written by my doctor. I've had the same doctor for the entire 20+ years. My chart and PDMP shows perfect compliance with all regulations. Doesn't matter. Pharmacists are often "uncomfortable" filling a prescription for even the lowest dosage of fentanyl patches or extended release morphine.

Therefore, at the recommendation of my pain management physician, I have started to use kratom instead. Kratom helps my pain immensely,with zero feelings of being "high". No dizziness or fuzzy brain feelings, no lightheadedness. Just pain relief. 

Being able to use kratom stops my suicidal ideation due to pain. No one should be living in misery and unable to complete the daily activities of living such as making food for oneself or taking a shower. I cannot do these tasks without pain relief, and due to extreme dea oversight and pharmacist fears of filling my valid, legal, and safe prescription for fentanyl patches I rely on kratom to help me through each day.

I could understand making it illegal if people were using it to get high or if people were overdosing, but it does not cause any high feeling whatsoever even when taking it in large doses. I feel more lightheaded smoking a tobacco cigarette than I do from taking 20 grams of kratom. 

Keep kratom legal and accessible at least  until the war against opioid medications is over. Patients need SOMETHING for severe chronic pain.