The FDA released a statement warning people about Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom) on November 14, 2017. Although that statement didn’t confirm the government is going to pursue a ban on the plant, it’s not a very hopeful message. Much like the DEA, the FDA highlighted poisonings and fatalities associated with kratom and kratom-containing products. But it’s likely most of those involved polydrug exposure. There’s little evidence kratom by itself has a high overdose death potential.
We’re still waiting to see what the FDA recommends to the DEA. That recommendation could push the government towards prohibiting the substance, just as federal authorities tried to do through emergency scheduling in 2016.
Along with discussing the misleading nature of the FDA’s statement, I discuss misleading statements from advocates who oppose a ban. Sadly, it appears a lot of people are advocating against prohibition using arguments that spread false ideas about the substance.
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