Kratom is becoming so popular in the world that it now has its very own documentary on Netflix called “A Leaf of Faith.” Kratom is offered in vape shops, gas stations, smoke shops, tobacco shops, and specialty shops around the country, from large cities to small towns.
With this documentary, Netflix has jumped headfirst into the kratom craze. This movie focuses on kratom and why the Food and Drug Administration in the United States is pushing hard to make this a controlled substance across the nation.
Here are some of the more interesting points this documentary has to offer.
An In-Depth Look at Kratom
What’s great about this documentary is the in-depth look it takes at kratom as a Southeast Asian herb. It’s a very educational piece that helps the viewer understand what kratom is from the get-go, including how it’s made, where it grows, and what properties its alkaloids have.
The filmmaker also delves into the different forms of kratom that are out there including powder, capsules, extracts, teas, and tinctures. As a kratom connoisseur, chances are you know a fair bit about kratom already, but this documentary may surprise you and teach you a few new things about kratom that you never knew!
The Kratom Controversy
The biggest point made in this documentary about kratom is that it’s misunderstood. Because of the limbo, it’s in regarding legality in the U.S., where it’s not banned by the government but not regulated either, there’s a lot of misinformation out there about the herb. The lack of testing and scientific research on kratom makes it difficult to counter these misconceptions and the controversies that come from them, too.
The film highlights one example of a controversy involving a lawsuit in Florida regarding kratom. It states in the lawsuit that kratom is dangerous and can cause injury to people. The truth of the matter is that there’s no information available that can confirm those accusations – but none that can contradict them either. That’s why the FDA is starting to get involved in kratom and may be pushing for not just regulation but making it illegal entirely.
The documentary attempts to give different viewpoints on kratom’s safety and the idea that it needs regulation by the government to ensure its authenticity and quality as well as getting accurate product labeling.
Kratom and the FDA
The FDA wants to have kratom classified as a Schedule I drug federally. Schedule I drugs are those that have a high potential for abuse and no acceptable medical use. This would put kratom in the same class of drugs like peyote, marijuana, ecstasy, and LSD – and create harsh penalties for those that break the law.
Previously, in 2016, the Drug Enforcement Agency in partnership with the FDA attempted to ban kratom on the federal level, but they were met with such staunch resistance from kratom supporters that the idea was eventually defeated. Still, the FDA has not given up on their claims that kratom is an herb that people should be concerned about.
The current stance of the FDA concerning kratom is that they are actively seeking out the most recent scientific studies regarding the herb and also warns consumers to avoid purchasing products that have kratom or any of its variants and alkaloids in them. They want more research to be done on kratom to establish its safety profile.
What You Can Do to Keep Kratom Legal
The biggest takeaway from this documentary is that people who love kratom should become advocates of the herb. The filmmaker wants to raise awareness about kratom and the challenges that it faces legally in the United States. Everyone who is a fan of the herb should be out there encouraging the regulation of kratom as well as more studies being done on it.
You can connect with the American Kratom Association to find out more about kratom legislation not just on the national level, but in the city or town you live in as well. The AKA is a consumer advocacy organization primarily, which means they help organize people and kratom vendors to champion the cause of keeping kratom legal but also making it safe through good manufacturing processing and laboratory testing.
Also, through the AKA, you can become an American Kratom Protector. This grassroots organization helps to lead advocacy efforts at state levels and works to get accurate information about kratom out to the masses. It also works to push Kratom Consumer Protection Acts at the state and federal levels. You can join them today and sign up to become a Protector!
There is still so much that needs to be learned about kratom. At the same time, those who enjoy kratom need to be protected from unfair laws and vendors selling undesirable products. Oasis Kratom is a proud member of the AKA and we hope you’ll join us in getting involved in kratom advocacy to keep this Southeast Asian herb available safely and consistently across the United States. Watch “A Leaf of Faith” and judge for yourself what you can do to help keep kratom legal.
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