With more than five million Kratom buyers in the US (according to the AKA), there is no doubt that Kratom’s popularity is growing in the US. In the last few years alone, there is an exponential rise in US Kratom imports as well as the number of online Kratom Vendors. Today, the US now imports one-third of all Kratom that is exported to the world from Southeast Asia.
However, not everything related to Kratom is a success story. As the number of buyers increased, so was the interest of the DEA and FDA in the Kratom herb. As both the agencies raised their concerns about the Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine, even though there is no scientific evidence about any ill effects, Kratom is banned in six states in the US.
To make things even worse, DEA showed an intent to add Kratom’s key ingredients, Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine, into the Schedule I drug list. However, after the uproar from the Kratom community, the episode ended in a quick Kratom Withdrawal by DEA from the Schedule I intent list.
In this article, we will explore what really happened and what caused the withdrawal of Kratom so quickly?
What is DEA Schedule I List?
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has divided drugs into different categories based on the risk they offer for harm or abuse. These include Schedule I, II, III, IV, and V. These classifications were initially established by the FDA back in 1970 when the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) was passed.
When the DEA sees a drug or product as a threat to health, with no other benefits, the agency adds it to the Schedule I drug list, which includes cocaine and other highly addictive (ecstasy) and harmful drugs. As the risk decreases, according to the assessment by DEA, the drugs are listed subsequently on Schedule II, III, IV, and V lists.
This means the drugs with the lower risks, and significant counter benefits are listed on the Schedule V list.
Schedule I is the most alarming list, as all drugs listed under the Schedule I list are illegal to possess, and can result in serious legal implications. This is why the withdrawal of Kratom from Schedule I was great news for Kratom enthusiasts.
Kratom Withdrawal by DEA From Schedule I
The issue started back in August 2016, DEA published a notice of intent to temporarily add the two primary Kratom alkaloids to the Schedule I list. As Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine make the most dominant part of Kratom’s chemical profile, this was equal to putting Kratom herb into Schedule I pursuant.
This caused an uproar among the Kratom community as well as the general population, with NGOs like the American Kratom Association challenging the decision at every forum. The resistance was so fierce, and with hundreds of thousands of comments and emails to DEA challenging their decision and asking for Kratom withdrawal, DEA was forced to retract.
On 13th October 2016, just two months after the initial attempt, DEA had to revert its decision. They withdrew the notice of intent on the 13th of October to bring relief to hundreds of thousands of Kratom enthusiasts.
Kratom’s Availability in the US
After the withdrawal of Kratom from the Schedule I intent, there was a surge in both demand and the number of sellers. Today, in most US states, Kratom is available at the local vape shops, head shops, and even gas stations.
In addition, there are probably more than a few hundred online Kratom vendors from where you can buy Kratom. Online Kratom vendors are also a better option than your local seller because of the variety they offer.
Rare Kratom strains like Elephant Kratom are almost impossible to find in your local vape store or gas station, but you can easily find these strains in most online stores.
For example, some online vendors, like Kratom Source USA, are direct importers from Southeast Asia and only sell Kratom. This allows them to offer a better range in terms of Kratom strains, along with diverse product categories, like Kratom capsules, Kratom powder, and liquid Kratom, at an affordable price.
Simply put, it is always a better option to buy Kratom online.
Final Words
We are sure you now know the history and the factors that lead to the Kratom withdrawal from the Schedule I intent by DEA. For now, Kratom is not only legal in most parts of the US, as well as the world, but also easily available.
To learn more about Kratom, its products, and legal issues surrounding the Kratom herb, you can always visit our Kratom blog.
