Kratom advocates have a reason to celebrate as the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) decided not to ban kratom internationally after a scientific review. However, the botanical substance raised some concerns.
Therefore, it was expected that the WHO Executive Committee on Drug Dependency (EEDD) would take steps to take control of kratom internationally or recommend a critical review of this botanical.
It was speculated that if the World Health Organization did not impose the kratom ban, the committee would recommend another critical review for one year resulting in the scheduling of this herb, which users claim to have analgesic properties.
The WHO EEDD Report
However, the decision surprised everyone. The report stated that the EEDD voted in a stark majority to suggest that more monitoring was needed until WHO decided the future of this botanical and did not impose any kratom ban.
There is very little data available in scientific research journals about the efficacy of Mitragyna, and more research is necessary to determine the health impacts of this organic substance. Therefore, the committee voted 11-1 to study Mitragyna and its potential effects on users.
The members agreed that there was very little evidence against or in favor of kratom, and therefore, the final decision needed more information to deduce the effects of this botanical. However, the good news of the no kratom ban means that the consumers will not be subjected to forceful withdrawal from this organic item.
The basis of the review was the risk of abuse, dependence, and the therapeutic uses of this substance. In addition, many ketum advocates shared the thoughts and experiences of thousands of users in the United States.
The contrasting opinions and the difference in the perspectives of advocates and opponents make it a tough decision in the first place. However, the EEDD report said that thousands of people claim their health improved due to Mitragyna.
This substance has been helpful for people fighting calming dependency, while it is also a part of traditional medications in the Southeast Asian region.
The EEDD reported insufficient data to suggest that there should be a kratom ban, whereas the number of ketum users and the claims that this botanical has therapeutic effects and has helped people overcome health conditions
The committee decided to keep the herbal substance under surveillance by the WHO Secretariat, as observed since 2020. The American Kratom Association officials welcome this decision as an excellent outcome for science and hope to see this decision become a milestone for the subsequent approval and regulation from FDA.
Lack of Regulation
The AKA believes that people doubt kratom because the FDA does not regulate it, but there is no need for a kratom ban. The poor regulation makes potential users suspicious, and they do not try out a potent and impactful substance like ketum.
The AKA officials said that the FDA’s poor approval means that substandard and unethical vendors can sell harmful quality substances adulterated with heroin, fentanyl, or other high-degree drugs.
Kratom ban will not stop these things, but if there is more scientific study, items can be better for consumers!
The FDA does not approve of most organic substances like kratom due to a lack of scientific research. Kratom was introduced in America in the early 2000s. This botanical was brought into the country in the 1980s, but that was a personal import, which means that a person brought some of it in their luggage and introduced it to friends and family.
The online shops and manufacturing units for Mitragyna were officially set up in the early 2000s; there was no scientific research done to understand the effects of this botanical.
The lack of evidence of kratom’s efficacy makes it a suspicious organic substance. Furthermore, the users claim varying effects, and each of them is so diverse that one cannot say that kratom has a definite impact on every individual who uses it.
Mitragyna varying effects are also a deterrent in the FDA’s approval since the authority cannot approve of any food item, drink, or even botanical unless they are sure that all users will feel the same effects.
The FDA’s meticulous regulation does not cover the kratom products, which is why the American Kratom Association came into being. This association advocates kratom benefits while it also sees that every ketum vendor in America is selling quality, fresh and potent products.
The freshness, potency, and safety of ketum products make it possible for users to order from any vendors they choose. In addition, the AKA’s approval and verification of individual vendors mean that the end product is impactful. This is why ketum consumers in America react to the discussion on the kratom ban due to a lack of scientific evidence of efficacy.
Controlled Substances Act
Under the Controlled Substances Act, kratom is not scheduled. Even though the FDA has tried to impose a kratom ban, millions of users and advocates for this botanical substance have stood up against this.
Since the agency could not ban it in America, the ketum advocates believed that it would use WHO as the opportunity to impose a permanent stop on the possession and trade of ketum.
A bipartisan and bicameral pair of lawmakers requested the secretary of the Department of Health to order resistance to impose the international kratom ban.
This request, along with the reviews of active Mitragyna users in America, was enough proof for the WHO EEDD to consider that the ban was unnecessary due to a lack of knowledge and scientific evidence.
The WHO EEDD’s consideration that there should be more research until a final verdict is reached is a hopeful step towards understanding Mitragyna as a natural stimulant and substance with therapeutic impacts. The consumers are not in favor of the kratom ban, which clearly shows that this botanical may have good effects.
Conclusion
The lack of scientific research on kratom is often considered a problem. However, in December 2021, the same lack of research became the fundamental reason the WHO Executive Committee on Drug Dependency did not agree with an international kratom ban but demanded more studies to be carried out!
Kratom advocates worldwide are cheering this decision as it clearly implies that lawmakers cannot ignore the benefits of ketum, and the insufficient data does not form enough evidence to ban this substance!
