Kratom Consumer Protection Act

Kratom Legislation: Where and How Laws Are Changing

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The status of kratom in America is changing.

In 2019, four states passed Kratom Consumer Protection Acts. In 2020, the similar bills might be passed in twenty states or more!

For many years, kratom users here in the states have had to take kratom on the edges of legality. Not specifically illegal, not legally regulated, Kratom’s status is not always clear. In recent months, more states are making their positions about the botanical clear, but there is still a way’s to go.

The American Kratom Association, also known as the AKA, is at the forefront of this movement. They want to end this 2020 with protection laws for kratom users passed in 25 states. Currently, these laws only exist in four states.

Curious about why we support this goal and find it important not just for vendors but for consumers around the United States? Here’s why:

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The Fear of Kratom in the United States

Many politicians in the U.S. are afraid of kratom and its legality because they don’t understand it. Many non-kratom users in America fear kratom because they see it as another potentially harmful drug. With the status of the addiction crisis in America, we can completely understand these fears.

Our fears for kratom, however, are different.

Scientific and anecdotal proof has already been enough for us to believe that kratom is a safe and beneficial substance for many people. What hasn’t been shown yet, however, is that the supply chain of kratom in America is safe for its users.

In many states, there is absolutely no regulation on kratom sales. This means that vendors could choose the lowest quality product that they want and put it for sale without any repercussions or laws to guide them.

The one that gets hurt most in this situation is the consumer!

Even if you don’t come in direct contact with contaminated kratom, instances of bad kratom making it to another consumer hurts you. Each case causes kratom to be viewed more negatively, and the risk of a complete ban increases.

How The Kratom Consumer Protection Act Can Help

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act is a set of guidelines that the American Kratom Association is working with each state to enact. 

The act would cover the following tenets in some way:

  • • Age restriction: what will be the state’s legal age be for kratom products?
  • • Labeling: what type of information will be required or forbidden on kratom labeling?
  • • Warnings: what type of warnings and safety information must be given to consumers on the labeling?
  • • Registration: how will kratom testing compliance and product registration be handled?
  • • Quality: how will the quality be tested, and what will the quality requirements be?

The KCPA, Kratom Consumer Protection Act, will not be exactly the same in every state. Just as cannabis laws differ in each state, kratom laws may, too. AKA works with each state that they discuss kratom with to develop the laws so that kratom can be regulated in a safe, effective way that is satisfactory to the state.

Not all components listed above will make it through the state’s legislative system, but AKA does its part to make sure that the most important factors are addressed.

2020: The Goal of 21 States

For 2020, the American Kratom Association has set a goal to have some type of kratom protection laws passed in 21 more states. They have already been setting the groundwork in many states to get the KCPA into lawmaker’s hands so that the change can begin.

AKA is targeting these states in 2020:

  • • Oregon
  • • Idaho
  • • Colorado
  • • Kansas
  • • Oklahoma
  • • Missouri
  • • Louisiana
  • • Illinois
  • • Michigan
  • • Tennessee
  • • Mississippi
  • • Florida
  • • South Carolina
  • • North Carolina
  • • Virginia
  • • West Virginia
  • • Ohio
  • • Pennsylvania
  • • New York
  • • Rhode Island
  • • Wisconsin
  • • Alabama
  • • Arkansas

Most of these states don’t yet have any laws about kratom in place, but four of them have actually already enacted a ban on kratom. The American Kratom Association, however, believes that the bans in these four states can be changed in 2020:

  • • Rhode Island
  • • Alabama
  • • Arkansas
  • • Wisconsin

The goal to have half of the states in the USA to have kratom consumer protections in place by the end of the year is a big one, but the American Kratom Association and its supporters have been advocating for the same, regulated use of kratom for a long time. This year, the culmination of those efforts should result in this kind of big change!

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Accountability Matters Most

As mentioned above, shady vendors can sell anything that they want to their customers right now, and there is no way for the customer to find out about this. There is no quality control testing that is checked by any third-party unless the vendor themselves makes the effort to have their product tested.

Here at Left Coast Kratom, we wanted to show that we take our product safety and quality control seriously, so we joined the GMP Standards Program run by the American Kratom Association. In short, this program lays out specific guidelines and standards to ensure that we do our part in keeping the kratom industry safe.

We want our customers – including you – to know that we want to make sure that we are constantly evolving and keeping up with the best practices in the industry. As members of the GMP compliance program, we get the information about safety that we need quickly and are able to put it into action.

Do You Want To Help?

Are you interested in seeing a Kratom Consumer Protect Act go into effect in your state? Do you live in one of the states that the AKA is targeting this year?

If so, this is your chance to get involved with advocacy. It is possible that simply showing up to support change would be enough. And if you want to do more than just show up, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

The best way to get involved with local or state advocacy is to contact the American Kratom Association and ask how to get in contact with your area’s advocacy team. From there, you’ll start being a more active part of the change.

Kratom Status: Is Kratom Legal in My State?

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A note to our customers: This post is not legal advice. All information and content contained here are for general informational and entertainment purposes only. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it may not reflect the most up-to-date legal or other information. We suggest that you always do your own research to ensure the validity of information on our blog.

Here in the United States, kratom is sold as a tea product or a dietary ingredient that many people enjoy and find to be beneficial for their lifestyle. There are dozens of kratom vendors and a large community of consumers who feel their lives have changed for the better thanks to kratom.

Unfortunately, these things don’t necessarily mean that kratom is protected by laws and regulations across the country. Due to bad publicity, adulterated products from irresponsible vendors, and misinformation campaigns that have gained traction over the past few years, some counties and states have made moves to ban kratom. 

As avid supporters of safe, lab tested products and responsible kratom consumption, we don’t want to see this happen. Many consumers worry about whether or not they are allowed to try kratom where they live, and the legal status of kratom is often changing in many areas.

Today, we’ll help you learn how to find out if kratom is legal where you live as well as other important legal information that consumers should be aware of. You’ll also learn what you can do to ensure that this botanical stays legal in the US.

Federal Laws

At this time, there are no federal laws or regulations in place about kratom and its use in the US. Kratom vendors sell kratom to their customers as a dietary ingredient and must make it clear that the FDA has not reviewed the product or any claims made about it.

Despite the fact that there are no laws currently in place on the federal level, the FDA and other organizations have put a lot of pressure on law-making bodies to ban kratom. The FDA’s arguments have been widely debunked; in reality, this conversation is dominated by misinformation and a lack of current research about kratom.

For now, kratom is safe from further legal restrictions on a national scale, but there are also no federal regulations in place to help protect consumers or vendors.

State Laws

Like many issues, kratom needs to be regulated on the local and state. Currently, marijuana and CBD regulations are handled on a state-by-state basis, and we expect that any kratom-related rules will initially be done in the same way.

The American Kratom Association is the leading advocacy group for kratom regulations and protections at this time. This nonprofit organization has done wonders to ensure the safety of kratom users across America, and their work continues to be impressive.

Your State’s Rules

Kratom is legal in most states across the continental United States. However, Kratom is currently banned in the following six states:

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Indiana
  • Rhode Island
  • Vermont
  • Wisconsin

In more positive news, several states have now adopted the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, legislation that both protects consumers from adulterated and misbranded products and protects kratom from being banned. This bill passed in 2019 in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Utah. The AKA is working hard with vendors across the country to introduce the KCPA in many more states, including here in Oregon where we’re located.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act mandates that kratom vendors comply with Good Manufacturing Practices including testing their products with an accredited lab. With reasonable regulations in place to keep consumers safe, legitimate and responsible kratom vendors will be able to continue to market their products, and consumers will have the peace of mind of knowing that their kratom is safe.

To find out what the status or ongoing bills about kratom in your state look like, you can check out AKA’s interactive map. This map gives detailed information about the state’s rules, and you can follow through on the page to read more details about the status.

What You Can Do

As you can see from the map on AKA’s website, kratom’s legal status is very different depending on where you live. While AKA would love to meet with the FDA to discuss the future of kratom in this country, the FDA has ignored their meeting request for more than 400 days.

It might seem overwhelming, but there are a number of things that you can do to improve the outlook for kratom in the United States. None of these things will put you at risk, and they are all quite easy!

Buy From Qualified Vendors

One of the most important things that you can do is to only buy your kratom from qualified vendors that care about safety. To find these vendors, we recommend looking into the Good Manufacturing Practices Compliance Program run by the AKA. In response to the lack of clear guidelines around kratom, these companies have decided to comply with Good Manufacturing Practices in order to keep their customers safe and satisfied.

The AKA’s GMP Program is that vendors can apply to join. The program outlines good practices that all kratom vendors should follow to ensure that the products they sell are as safe as possible for the consumer. To remain part of the program, they must have an annual 3r-party audit.

By buying from qualified vendors, you are supporting safe and high-quality kratom in the US.

Join Local Advocacy Groups

If you are living in a state that is considering a kratom ban, or the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, it would be worthwhile to get involved at the local level. Using the information available on the AKA website or from your local kratom shop, find out what you can do to prevent a ban from happening, or support reasonable regulations to keep yourself safe!

In many cases, this may be as simple as sending a letter to your local senator or making a short phone call. These actions are very small, but they can make a big difference in the long run!

Remember: Many People Use Kratom

Despite the complications in kratom’s legal status, it is important to remember that kratom is gaining mainstream acceptance and credibility. Many states have even passed regulations that help to ensure that consumers are able to purchase safe kratom without fear of legal action.

Many people use kratom. There isn’t a specific profile that can be used to describe who uses kratom or why. The simple fact is that there are many Americans that find that taking a serving of kratom helps them get through their day-to-day activities, and that is the important part.

AKA, the American Kratom Association, estimates that there are more than 15 million kratom consumers in the United States. That number is constantly growing, so there is no reason to feel like you are alone in your position.

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What Is The AKA? How The American Kratom Association Is Changing Everything

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The world is full of companies and organizations that are working hard to change things for the better. Some of these organizations have bigger impacts on our lives than others, and many have work that goes unknown to a huge majority of the population.

Even as a kratom consumer, you might not be familiar with AKA. What is the AKA? AKA, which stands for American Kratom Association, is an organization that is working to ensure the legality and safety of kratom products for kratom users in America.

While that sentence gives you a brief idea of what AKA is doing in the world of kratom, there is a lot more to learn about if you want to get a full grasp on how they might have an effect on your own life and experiences. Let’s deep dive into the details of this fascinating organization and why we are supporting their efforts in the interesting world of kratom!

AKA Basics

First, let’s cover the most important basics of AKA so that you can find out what the American Kratom Association was founded on as well as what their goals are today.

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What Is The AKA?

The American Kratom Association, often abbreviated as AKA, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the standards, processes, safety, and legal status of kratom in America. 

In order to protect consumers of kratom, AKA is taking a leading position to ensure that the industry is better regulated to ensure safety for customers from both dangerous products and unfair laws.

The Mission

According to its website, AKA’s mission is divided into five main categories. Here’s what AKA themselves have to say about their goals:

  1. 1. Support Consumers. We believe many political and private entities don’t make the needs of the consumer and constituents a priority. Our goal is to change that.
  2. 2. Educate. Kratom has many beneficial purposes and is an all-natural alternative. Our goal is to educate all Americans—from potential consumers to regulators and everyone in between.
  3. 3. Amplify. We represent thousands of Americans that each have a story to tell. We believe the current environment in the United States often does not listen to individual voices and together we will make our voice heard.
  4. 4. Global Awareness. We hope to demonstrate responsible use and practical knowledge other countries may study when considering Kratom legislation.
  5. 5. Protect Natural Resources. Kratom is a precious natural resource. We support and advocate for sustainable harvesting techniques and reforestation efforts.

All of the work that AKA has been doing proves just how committed they are to these goals. Through changes in laws spearheaded by their efforts and changes to the way that kratom sellers are doing business in this country, their effect in the larger American kratom community is apparent. It’s hard to imagine what the kratom industry would look like without their efforts.

We Love The GMP Compliance Program!

One of our favorite things that AKA has worked on in recent years is the GMP compliance program. GMP, which stands for Good Manufacturing Practices, is an acronym used in many different industries. Most industries have a standard level of safety and performance that is expected from manufacturers, but the kratom industry was missing this.

AKA set out to change that.

Through their efforts, the GMP Compliance Program was established, and we are very happy to be members of the program here at Left Coast Kratom.

What Does The GMP Compliance Program Do?

The GMP Program run by AKA sets up a series of standards that must be followed when processing, making, or selling Kratom. The rules require specific types of packaging, testing, labeling, marketing, and educational efforts be made by the vendor. If they do not pass their yearly audit by a third-party, they can no longer be part of the program.

Vendors that commit to following the best practices laid out by the GMP program are more likely to sell quality products to their customers, and this improves the safety for their customers.

Additionally, there are some great secondary effects of ensuring product safety beyond just ensuring that customers are safe. As you might know, many states are considering banning kratom because of outdated and inaccurate data; dangerous kratom supplies can further motivate these types of laws.

By helping to ensure that additional safety checks are in place, it is less likely that any kratom-related incidents will occur in America.

What Is LCK Doing?

To join the GMP compliance program, we took the practices suggested by AKA and improved the way that we were working with our kratom products. While we have always had the safety of our customers in mind, the research done by AKA for the program is incredibly thorough. This meant that we were able to further refine our safety practices to ensure the best for our customers.

Moving forward, we are always sure to follow the examples and guidelines laid out by AKA for the GMP program. The program is hugely important to how we do business, and we hope that our customers are able to feel just how much we care.

Why You Should Love AKA, Too

We’re not the only ones who should love AKA for all the amazing work that they have done in the Kratom industry. You should, too!

As a consumer and member of the kratom community, AKA has already had a huge impact on your life even if you haven’t realized it before. Most vendors in America are following AKA’s lead in safety practices. And if it wasn’t for AKA’s efforts, kratom might already be completely banned in America!

The American Kratom Association is working tirelessly to protect consumers like you, and we think that’s pretty cool. If you want to continue to support their efforts, there are a few things that you can do:

  • • Donate to their work and research directly
  • • Only purchase kratom via GMP-compliant vendors to ensure quality and safety
  • • Join AKA’s local advocacy efforts
  • • Support kratom regulation laws and protections at the local level

AKA is doing everything it can to ensure that you can continue to enjoy kratom safely and legally. Here at LCK, we’re doing our best to follow that same mentality. What will you do to help the community thrive?

AKA, LCK, and Compliance: What We Think You Should Know

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If you were to open up a newspaper right now or watch the local news, the chances are pretty high that you would see a story about a company causing problems with untested or fake products. We see it everywhere, and it can make consumers very wary of buying from anyone.

It’s scary, really, to think that you could be buying things without even truly knowing what is in them. 

In the kratom industry, this problem is just as prevalent, and that is why we find the work that the American Kratom Association is doing so important. Today, we’re going to discuss AKA, their compliance programs, and what our role in the future of kratom’s safety is.

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All About The American Kratom Association

Have you heard about the American Kratom Association? If not, it’s time that you learned more about this group, their mission, and how they have already made a difference in your life!

What is AKA?

AKA, also known as the American Kratom Association, is a kratom advocacy nonprofit organization that works to standardize kratom manufacturing procedures, protect consumers, and improve the regulatory laws that affect the industry as a whole.

AKA’s Mission

The mission of the American Kratom Association is pretty simple. Here’s what they want to do:

“Make natural kratom safe and to keep it available for millions of Americans who use it for health and wellness; manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers whose livelihoods depend on a safe and robust market; and for scientific and research communities that are actively exploring its potential.”

There are a few specific ways that AKA works to do these things. They work with politicians, vendors, consumers, suppliers, shop owners, and more. Realistically, they have become involved at nearly every stage of kratom production and sales to ensure that consumers may continue to safely and confidently use kratom.

AKA Victories

If you’ve ever used kratom before, there is a good chance that work done by the American Kratom Association has already had a positive effect on your life. The organization has been working at every turn for years to ensure that kratom lovers like you can continue to use kratom safely and legally.

While they have had a lot of different victories, these are a few key accomplishments by AKA that have found to be the most inspiring:

These are just a few of the many things that the American Kratom Association has done to help protect the availability and quality of Kratom. In the future, there will be more and more updates to check out from their hard work! 

AKA Science

Another cool thing that AKA puts a lot of money and time into is researching the science of kratom. One of the biggest complaints or points made about kratom when it is being discussed in the political arena is the lack of solid scientific proof for or against its effects.

The existing science doesn’t say it is truly dangerous, but it doesn’t say it is fully safe, either. AKA wants kratom users to be able to know for sure what the risks, potential benefits, and chemicals involved in kratom, and that is why they have put a lot of effort into deep-diving into the science of kratom.

GMP Compliance Program

One of the victories we mentioned above is AKA’s Good Manufacturing Practices program, also known as the GMP compliance program. This program helps to certify that kratom vendors are following complete and thorough safety procedures with all of their products.

To remain in the program, vendors initially accepted must complete a yearly audit with a third-party tester. This auditor ensures that all of the proper procedures are being followed so that consumers are only sold safe and well-tested kratom.

We’re proud to be part of AKA’s GMP compliance program.

We Have A Big Role To Play

Here at Left Coat Kratom, we know that we have a big role to play in the future of kratom. Every day, we connect with customers when we sell our kratom and other products. Every week, people visit our website to learn more about how kratom is manufactured and everything else there is to know about it.

As a reputable vendor, it’s up to us to help support the good name that AKA is helping to build for kratom. We want our consumers to be able to safely and legally use kratom, and we want to ensure that our products are the best that they can possibly be.

With these thoughts in mind, we’ve made it a big part of our mission to ensure we are following AKA’s GMP compliance standards and staying up-to-date with all of their news about kratom. When we can, we even help support their cases in various states to protect kratom’s legal status.

We have a big role to play – and we’re ready to help!

What You Can Do To Help

We’re not the only ones who can make a difference in the future of kratom, however. You, too, can be a key player in how kratom will be used, viewed, and accepted in years to come. While it can be overwhelming to think about becoming an active advocate, your involvement doesn’t have to be that extreme.

In fact, there are a lot of simple things that you can do to make a difference:

  • • Donate to AKA – funding them funds the future of kratom.
  • • Purchase from GMP-qualified vendors – supporting them supports quality.
  • • Get involved locally – visit local shops that sell kratom and see what they need help advocating for.
  • • Support kratom laws – regulatory laws protect consumers like you; show your support for them to make a change.

As you can see, it’s pretty easy to get involved in supporting the kratom industry. It’s in your best interest to seek safe kratom that comes from a vendor that focuses on quality control. We hope that you’ll consider that as you do your future kratom shopping.

Why Left Coast Kratom Thinks The Kratom Consumer Protection Act Matters!

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Have you heard of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act before?

If not, it’s time for you to learn more about the interesting laws regarding Kratom that are going into effect around the USA. At this time, the legal status of Kratom in the US is under constant strain. Due to conflicting messages and exaggerated claims, many people have been falsely convinced that Kratom is not safe.

We, however, now that Kratom can be a safe product to keep on the market as long as companies that sell it are kept in check. For that reason, we know that policies like the Kratom Consumer Protection Act are so important.

Today, we’d love to share with you more about this act, which states have adopted and implemented this law, and how you can join up with advocacy efforts to ensure that Kratom consumers like you are able to legally and safely continue to enjoy Kratom for years to come!

All About The Consumer Protection Act

Let’s start by learning about what the Kratom Consumer Protection Act actually is! Before you can understand why we need it and where it is already in place, understanding just what the act says will give you a great base understanding of the issues that Kratom vendors and consumers are facing.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act was originally created and proposed by the American Kratom Association. Their goal in creating this piece of model legislation was to set up a precedent for the types of guidelines that should exist in the Kratom industry.

Specifically, the act was created to help ensure that consumers can legally and safely buy Kratom. In addition to regulating the sale of Kratom, the model bill is meant to regulate the quality of Kratom as well to prevent any dangerous or adulterated Kratom from ever reaching the market.

As mentioned, the document that AKA created is known as a piece of model legislation. This means that is a set of guidelines that they suggest states pass, but the individual Kratom Protection Acts that are being passed in some states all have their own specific terms. Generally, however, they follow the model that was presented first by AKA.

The main points that most of the Protection Acts include are as follows:

  • • Define what Kratom is
  • • Require specific labeling of Kratom products by all sellers
  • • Prevent the sale of Kratom products that are known to be dangerous
  • • Ensure that the Department of Agriculture and Food in each state will create and enforce safety standards for the production and sale of Kratom

The overarching goal of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act is to ensure that consumers are not put at risk, physically or legally, by buying Kratom. 

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Why We Need A Protection Act

You might be wondering why an act like this is possible and why we, a business, would want more regulation.

The simple fact is that the free-for-all state of the Kratom industry was causing more harm than good. While it might be nice in some instances to be able to sell anything that you want in any way, doing that is not great for the consumer or for the stability of the industry.

A lot of the general public views Kratom as a dangerous and out-of-control substance, and that is because of unsafe Kratom that has been sold to consumers. These unsafe and adulterated products put people at risk. 

Here at Left Coast Kratom, we never want to see something like that happen to our customers. While we do our best to keep our products safe, we believe that the entire industry needs a set of guidelines and rules to follow to ensure that consumers are safe no matter which vendor they decide to buy from.

AKA’s Work: Where Protection Has Been Passed

As mentioned previously, AKA has been working very hard on their plan to have Kratom Consumer Protection Acts passed in every state in the US. While they aren’t yet to that point, there are a number of states where some variation of the original model act has been implemented.

Utah

Utah was the first state to pass a law about Kratom! The law passed on March 26, 2019, and it outlines very specific protections for consumers. Overall, the final bill in Utah reads very similar to the one created by AKA.

Georgia

On April 27th, 2019, Georgia passed its version of the Consumer Protection Act. This specific version differs a little bit from that of AKA, but it was adapted in the state very quickly.

Arizona

Their AKA-inspired Consumer Protection Act for Kratom users was passed onMay 1st, 2019. 

Oregon

Oregon has yet to pass the bill completely, but it has been approved by the state senate judiciary. Once the house votes on the bill, we believe it will be passed!

Nevada

Nevada became the 4th state in the US to pass a Kratom Consumer Protection Act not long ago!

Mississippi, Louisiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania

There is legislation in the works in all of these states to help protect Kratom consumers. While AKA is fighting potential Kratom bans in Mississippi and Ohio, the work they are doing in Pennsylvania and Louisana is looking to have more positive outcomes in terms of a Consumer Protection Act at this time.

Your State?

If you didn’t see your state’s name on this list yet, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t some type of work being done to protect Kratom’s status and consumers in your area. Check out the updates page on AKA’s website and their advocacy toolkit to find the best ways to get involved in protecting the future of Kratom in this country!

The KCPA Really Matters

Kratom is at a precarious turning point in America. The FDA has taken a strong anti-Kratom position due to the lack of strong scientific evidence to prove that Kratom is a safe botanical. One of the best ways that this can be combated is through the KCPA, and that is why we want everyone to do their part in supporting it!

Georgia One Step Closer to Passing Kratom Consumer Protection Act

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Great news from the American Kratom Association! The Georgia State Senate passed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act unanimously with a vote of 50-0. This follows the bill’s strong performance in Georgia’s House of Representatives, where it was approved by a margin of 164-1. The bill now goes to the Governor’s desk, where it will be signed into law.

This progress in Georgia is the direct result of concerted efforts by the American Kratom Association, along with support from kratom consumers and vendors. Once enacted, this bill will protect kratom consumers in Georgia from adulterated and misbranded products and will ensure that responsible and compliant vendors can market pure, quality kratom products.

We’re grateful to the AKA, all its supporters, and the lawmakers of Georgia who understood the benefits of this consumer protection act. Please stay informed about kratom’s status in your state and support the AKA!

Georgia Update from the AKA:

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