When I was a breaking news reporter, I refused to cover politics. I couldn’t even stand the word. Yes, I looked up candidates before elections and researched extensively before casting my vote, but that’s where it ended. When I began covering kratom stories, I had no choice. I had to get into politics, this is a fight I knew had to be won after getting to know so many in the community. I will first share my experience at my own State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin, and then will give you a glimpse of what it was like to advocate in Washington DC.
It was a hazy and long drive to the Capitol in Madison, where I was set to speak at a Session on legalizing kratom in the State. Wisconsin is just one of four States where the herb remains illegal, and also happens to be the first State to deem it illegal. Specifically the Session was about passing the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), a bill enacted by the American Kratom Association (AKA), which numerous States have already signed in. I want to tell you about my personal experience, and hope it will inspire others to also make their voices heard!
It was in 2016 when I was exclusively a breaking news journalist, and came upon a Reddit post about kratom, a tropical evergreen tree from Southeast Asia that is part of the coffee family. I hadn't heard of before. The passion of those in I'm the thread was imminent, as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) was desperately trying to place an emergency national ban on kratom.
Why An Emergency Ban?
The emergency ban threat was triggered by a 2009 report of deaths supposedly that were apparently linked to kratom. Specifically, the FDA focused on the deaths of nine people in Sweden who lost their lives after consuming Krypton, which was used to adulterate kratom from its natural form. Krypton contained a highly dangerous substance known as O-desmethyltramadol, a synthetic opioid.Even though Krypton was adulterated, they blamed kratom. Why? Big Pharma comes to mind.
The FDA was falsely blaming kratom in many deaths, which prompted the DEA to list kratom as an item of concern. Amongst the cited deaths, many had deadly combinations of such drugs as methampehetamine and fentanyl.
Speaking Out at Madison’s Session
Over the years I’ve met numerous advocates, most online. When I stepped into the official room of the Session, I finally got to see faces I knew, but just hadn’t yet met in person. I took a seat at the front, because honestly I was afraid of tripping when I had to stand up and walk to the desk where the microphone was to speak. I was alone until a “Southern Belle,” who I later learned was Misti Friedl, kindly sat next to me. We had an instant connection. We made the same faces at each other during parts of the Session that were spot-on, or hilarious. We ended up taking bathroom and water breaks together too, as it was a long 8 hour day, which was predicted to be just 1.5 to three hours long, max. We were starving and absolutely spent by the end, when the public finally had the opportunity to speak. Having researched the herb for so many years and knowing full-well that it isn’t dangerous as some make it out to be, there was no choice. We simply had to put our best foot forward and tell our stories. I was excited to tell the legislators about so many advocates who have quite literally turned their lives around, becoming productive citizens, because of kratom.
Officers Blame ‘Yellow Foam’ Coming Out of Man’s Mouth on Kratom
We were also fired up. Why? Two Wisconsin police officers spoke out on the supposed “dangers” of kratom use. One described allegedly finding a man in a parked vehicle with yellow foam coming out of his mouth. Because there was kratom in the car, the officer insisted it must’ve been the kratom that caused the foam. You could hear the sighs from those who know the truth, that this has never ever happened in the history of kratom without the use of other highly potent drugs such as fentanyl or methamphetamine.
A legislator questioned the officer who made the claim. He asked the officer to repeat when the incident happened, which was “about two weeks” prior. When asked if toxicology was back yet, of course the answer was no. The officers also blamed several OUI’s and DUI’s due to kratom. This was reportedly researched, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) was contacted.There has apparently been ZERO OUI’s or DUI’s based on kratom use alone in the State. Why would these officers lie? Were they paid off to state misconceptions in order to try and sway those in power? That’s the million dollar question.
Hearing Other Advocates Speak Out
It was so refreshing to hear other kratom advocate’s speak out about their own experiences, and that of their communities. Everyone spoke professionally, and with power in their voices. There was a couple who spoke about being censored by such huge entities as Google, where they have tried placing ads for their business. They do everything they need to do, get the ad up, only to have it removed. It was evident that even the politicians were shocked by this. Those advocates have a shop in a legal state, yet are still ostracized in a way that immensely affects their business.
There was a 90-year-old woman, Isla, who spoke about living in Wisconsin, but having to drive to Illinois when she seeks relief from kratom. Isla was accompanied by her two daughters, Dr. Heidi Sykora and Cindy. They share genetic issues that are extremely painful at times. Over the counter medications such as anti-inflammatory medications (think Advil and Aleve) are not an option, as they were wrecking havoc on their organ functions. Isla spoke about being able to get in her 5,000 steps per day with ease when she’s in Illinois or another legal State where she can take kratom. When she returns to Wisconsin, she still tries her best to get in her steps, but it is painful.
You could hear a pin drop as Isla and her daughter spoke. Dr. Sykora has an extensive medical background, and has and continues to do lengthy research on kratom before taking it. Both said they can function normally when they take the herb, despite false media reports and the like saying that people take it only to get “high.”
Speaking On My Own Journey
I spoke about my own journey which started in 2016 when I came upon a Reddit post about kratom. Never in my life had I heard of it, yet posts were blowing up regarding its legality. As a breaking news journalist, I took it upon myself to write about it. My first article garnered more than a million views, while the second had over two million views. I then came up with the hashtag #IAmKratom, and had droves of people from all walks of life sending me their stories. So many that I couldn’t possibly share them all.
I was able to find out just what the hype was about after an 8.5 hour surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. I told the legislators how I was able to switch from heavy duty painkillers to only kratom the next day. It was so liberating to be able to function and think normally. Yes, I still had some pain, but it was the same or better than when I took the prescribed painkillers, uet with zero high.
My voice shook, but it was worth it. It was worth the nerves that it took to step up and tell the truth of my story, and to share the knowledge I have learned from fellow advocates. I believe each time speaking out will only make it more comfortable, and encourage all to do so if at all possible.
You can watch the full Session that took place at the Madison State Capitol here.
Onto Washington DC!
It was both exciting and a bit intimidating advocating for kratom in Washington D.C. So exciting because I was able to meet so many faces I know online or from American Kratom Association (AKA) Zoom meetings! Intimidating because this was advocacy on a whole different level, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect.
Shortly after stepping off the plane, I was greeted by fellow advocate Misti Friedl, whom I had previously met in Madison. She flew in with Shaina Brown, a kratom consumer who was in legal trouble that advocates, along with the AKA, strongly petitioned to free.
Once we arrived at the hotel, we were greeted by so many other advocates that were also staying there, and it was so refreshing! Everyone was so kind, and most of us a bit nervous not knowing what to expect. After dinner was finished we headed back to our rooms to sleep before a very busy day ahead.
The next morning we all got into our Lyft’s and headed to the U.S. Capitol. There we were greeted by the AKA, who was holding a meeting on what to expect over that and the following day. We were given packets with loads of information to drop off to legislators. And that’s exactly what we did.
Dr. Heidi Sykora, her mother Isla, and sister Cindy banded together, as we are all from Wisconsin. We met with several different people who worked in our State’s official offices, including Kiley Mulligan, Legislative Coordinator for Health Affairs.
Kiley Mulligan was so kind and compassionate as we all went through our stories with her. She listened and asked questions. She seemed a bit as puzzled as we are that it is a crime to consume kratom in Wisconsin. I mean it’s even legal in Washington D.C.! Wisconsin was, not surprisingly, the first State to ban the botanical. It is known as being very conservative, and getting laws changed such as legalizing kratom is a long, drawn-out process. We continued on to other offices, and were able to only drop off the packets in some cases, while we were able to speak with a few aides in others. It was humbling to finally feel like we were being listened to.
We then headed to a luncheon put together by the AKA, and listened to scientists, fellow lobbyists and members of the AKA.
Dr. Marilyn Huestis, Chief, Chemistry and Drug Metabolism · National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA IRP), National Institutes of Health (NIH), did a fantastic job of outlining the tremendous amount of research she has personally done on kratom’s effects. She had a professional slideshow outlining many of her studies, including one that outlined the main reasons as to why people said they take kratom in the first place. Some of the top self-reported reasons included in this particular slide, titled “Not only harm-reduction any longer,” are as follows:
Just to feel less crappy, improve quality of life
Boost energy/stamina/endurance for work/exercise
Kratom is safer than other substances
Self treat anxiety symptoms
Self treat depression issues
Reduce social anxiety
Relieve short term pain
Treat long term pain
People also reported relief from conditions such as ADHD, alcohol and other addictions, and because they have little or no access to opiates they were once prescribed.
In another slide, Dr. Huestis stated that the “main risks [of kratom] appear due to contamination and adulteration--product form.” This slide was particularly important for kratom’s future in the United States, and why the AKA is working so hard to regulate the herb in all States and on a Federal level. Without regulation, people who don’t vet their vendors may not realize they are taking adulterated products, or products that haven’t been tested by a third-party lab.
It’s absolutely crucial that consumers are buying from vendors that not only use third-party labs, but also follow the AKA’s GMP Standards Program.
Each speaker, in my opinion, left advocates with a sense of hope for the future of kratom. Truth based on science and extensive studies. Dr. Heidi Skykora said it well
(blockquote) Dr. Heidi Sykora said it well:
[Block Quote] I see it as filling the bucket of information and motivation for legislators to act. Some legislative issues require a large bucket of information including scientific facts, personal testimonies, financial considerations, etc. The more we as advocates put in that bucket the greater chance of success to pass a bill. Sometimes it feels like we are wasting our time but each year we fill that bucket more which eventually will lead to success.
In DC we started with an empty bucket but next time we go the bucket won’t be empty. The Wisconsin Kratom advocacy bucket is at least 3/4 full. We need to overflow that bucket in 2024-2025. It has to be so full that it can’t be used as political leverage.
Despite the traveling distance, it was easier to advocate in DC because I could take Kratom. Wisconsin advocacy is a painful journey.
Madalyn Skylar, Founder of Kratom Stories Podcast, reinforced how beneficial it was to be able to meet with those in power. “I was able to sit down and speak with my House Representative’s aide,” she said. “She took the time to listen to my story about kratom and how it’s impacted me over the last five years. I feel strongly that advocating for our plant is incredibly important. We all have a voice.”