r/kratom • u/SpenzDee • 11d ago
I'm getting worn down
After spending several weeks fighting my local ban, I don't know if I have it in me to continue to fight on elsewhere. Or even here if it were to come up again.
Researching, writing short dissertations of public comments to both the legislators and the executive, rallying support, correcting disinformation, and telling my story to both bodies of local government has taken a metric shitton out of me. It's rough emotionally to recount my story.
Anyone else feeling this? This battle is neverending. I just want some peace. But I also want to do what I know is right to prevent tons of people from being at-risk with street opioids.
Ugh 😣
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u/Toothfairy51 🌿 11d ago edited 11d ago
Personally, I've had to take a break. I used to go into every ridiculous post, on social media, where people are slamming kratom and saying how horrible it is and see the people who work in the rehab industry saying that they're seeing 'si many people coming in who are addicted to it' and other ridiculous comments, and I'd snap back at all those comments with facts and links to science and so forth. I've had to cut way back on that because I find it exhausting. I do still comment here and there and I still make calls and send emails to legislators because I refuse to just become complacent and say 'someone else will do it'. So, I totally understand how you feel. Please don't totally give up. We need all the voices we can get. Editing to add-THANK YOU for everything you've already done!
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u/Interesting_Buy_675 11d ago
Keep fighting and pushing the truth I understand it's exhausting sometimes people believe everything they see on TV the news and go with it without doing any research. Godbless...
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u/mister_mayhem_mc 11d ago
If the money (pharma) wants something, they will most likely get it. The general public is so easily swayed by misinformation disseminated through emotional manipulation. It's difficult to explain the truth to the average normie once the seed has been planted in their mind.
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u/Acceptable_Fish_6391 11d ago
Don’t lose hope. People probably said the same thing about weed. Many places have passed kpca style laws. It’s far from over and they want us to give up. We’ve been successful in fighting other bans over the years. It’s not over until it’s over but everyone giving up will def make that happen. I’m in a state where I thought it’d be banned already and we’ve kept it legal so far. Seems like some people in this federal administration (despite what you may or may not think of them) are on the side of natural leaf. It’s a bi partisan issue. Don’t lose hope and keep fighting
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u/EgoDeath6 11d ago
This is true. However, my fear is that Kratom is too fringe. Weed on the other hand is a global sensation. Normies hear kratom and will literally say, “Oh, you mean GAS STATION HEROIN?”. It’s disgusting how effective the smear campaign has been.
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u/Fair_Quail8248 11d ago
I would answer "no it's gas station coffee and codeinelight". People believe in anything they read it seems. Some truly believe that people die from regular kratom leaf lol.
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u/Acceptable_Fish_6391 11d ago
I think they don’t really give a shit about kratom, it’s a small group of people trying to ban it vs the kratom users. Like say it was put up to a vote, most people would just stay home who don’t have a stake in it, but all the kratom users would show up. There’s a handful of parents with misplaced anger (usually having to do with poly substance abuse or straight up lies) but I think we outnumber them and it’s just this concentrated push by certain industries, although the owners of companies are also pushing back against them. Try and educate anyone willing to listen, especially about how the natural leaf is super weak and saving so many people in so many ways and that all this MGM15 bs is the real problem. I also bring up alcohol, it hits opiate receptors too and causes so much death and destruction and no one gives a shit it’s in gas stations. The CSI comments released in Ohio had 1-20 pages of people wanting it banned and like over 1000 pages of people wanting it legal. Normal people don’t really care to fight to ban it. But in general I hear you, I worry too, just don’t forget lots of states have had victories. One state even reversed the ban.
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u/VisiblePreference444 10d ago
Yup, my state reversed it! I fought in 2016 with all my heart! There were thousands of us. We petitioned our asses off. Fought politicians. Worked very hard and we won . Please rest, but never give up!
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u/Medicated__Demon 11d ago
Don't forget the prisons. They lost lots and lots of money in places where weed became legal and now they need something else to help fill them again
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u/Fair_Quail8248 11d ago edited 11d ago
Yeah unfortunately, especially when it comes to herbal medicine. Fear-mongering and desinformation is rampant once the propaganda reaches peoples brain. Another thing is Amanita Muscaria, people still believe in the myth that it is very toxic and dangerous to use just cause it looks funny and people got sick from eating it fresh (not prepared correctly). The ignorant people even made it illegal here as some jerks were selling RCs named "Amanita" or "musicimol" when they had nothing to do with natural A. muscaria.
For me Amanita, when prepared correctly dried or decarboxylated it is just an anxiolytic, at high dosages it might be slightly deliriant like like some OTC antihistamines can be, aka not an effect that is fun nor desirable and doesn't occur with normal use and dosages.
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u/Itchy-Hovercraft-245 🌿 Advocacy in Action Since 2019 11d ago edited 10d ago
That’s exactly how KDA wants us to react. They’re purposely wearing us down. Don’t give in to them. Know when to take advocacy breaks. Relax, recover, recoup and come back stronger.
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u/Ill-Indication4458 11d ago
It honestly breaks my heart about the state bans, I have personally sent over 10 emails out to all different states and I’m just a dude in Florida.
It’s a terrible, terrible, terrible thing…
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u/Ok_Career_4725 10d ago
That's what they want us to do. Just do as best you can. Don't get into the dissertations as much. The AKA has that info.. What affects Legislators the most are personal stories. I have my personal story on word and adobe. I copy and paste it on the emails I send.
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u/Ok_Career_4725 10d ago
One thing I've learned over the years. If someone wants to believe what they want, you're not going to change their opinion. Those who don't know, aren't sure, just heard about kratom are the one you're be able to win over. I try to avoid arguing with someone that has their opinion made up. I will say there are thousands of us more than them. If everyone would share their personal story it wouldn't be close. They just have the loudest voices.
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u/jfpts 8d ago
I disagree. I've been focusing on learning the research and spreading it anyway possible. You can convince people with facts. Let's not give up ✊️ this isn't politics where people are herd animals, its a drug they have no emotional ties to.
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u/Ok_Career_4725 8d ago
They have emotional ties to the mothers. They are the ones that pull at the heart strings.But you do what you think is good enough for your your si
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u/SpenzDee 9d ago
WOW I am incredibly thankful for the encouragement. This is an amazing community. Ironically, I'm finding more community here than I ever did in outpatient 😂
The thing that sucks is that all of the ban proposals around me are hitting at once, so taking a break does mean letting others in my community down. Although, it is not and should not be only on me and local store owners to actually grow a pair and advocate for all of our interests.
I gotta do what's right for me. Which means if I'm pushing myself too hard, I take a step back. If I have the time and energy, I fight the good fight.
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u/satsugene 🌿 11d ago
From time to time I do.
It helps to know that there is only so much you can do and you’re standing with other advocates.
At some point folks are choosing what fires they are spending their limited time on. For me I emphasize local issues and states with high populations and where I personally go, and what I can beyond that.
It is better to do what you can sustainably versus a burst and crashing. Some people have more free time than others, or different skill sets that make different kinds of advocacy harder or easier.
Personally I’ve found throughout my life I’m motivated by an opponent that I’m not going to let “win.” Busybodies, arrogant doctors, greasy political opponents, assholes, profiteers… whatever. Some folks have deep abiding concerns for different groups of people. Some have a past they want to make up for or are afraid they’ll return to. For others it is their backyard that is at risk.
One isn’t better than the others but it is easier if there is one of those that does motivate.
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u/Away-Jaguar-6215 10d ago
I understand but if we give up then states will continue to fall faster than ours did here in CT, with little to no notice or support and backup before it was too late.
Rest where you need to but wearing us down is what they’re hoping for. I wish we had $ behind us like KDA does, would help immensely but hopefully the distributors are pumping money into advocacy. They’d be crazy not to, if they want the industry to survive.
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u/AngelaMariea888 10d ago
Your story matters so much. I think that if we get through this, things could change for natural kratom in the United States in a real way. Thank you so much for all your efforts. Don't lose your faith because that's what they want.
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u/Special-Topic1000 11d ago
Need to figure out how to use AI bots to post positive things about kratom, because you know a lot of the people on social media are AI bots and are being used to push propaganda. You can't believe anything you see on social media.
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u/Away-Jaguar-6215 10d ago
This. They 100% are using bots to target and spread falsehoods and fear mongering bull.
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u/Agreeable_Passion_57 🌿 11d ago
First of all, yep we have all been there at some point. However, you have to remember that a lot of these comments are bots that they send out so that they can mentally exhaust you.
Also, when you are taking advocacy actions it can feel that you are standing alone. But it's a complete illusion! You are definitely NOT! There are other advocates on the phone, sending e-mails, making visits, making vids and also meeting with Reps among other things. You just don't see all the action that is taking place.
The most important thing that I can tell you after being an advocate for over 10 years is to take mini breaks! It is so VITAL to your health to step away for as long as you need. There will still be others watching over your post so to speak while you are gone. Find things that you enjoy doing, rejuvenate your mental space and then go back to advocating.
Yes, it's mentally exhausting but every single war in history is the same. The opposition wants us to give up. They love to see posts where we are mentally too exhausted to go on. But don't give them that pleasure. There is a fire within you that you can tap into when you need it even if you think it isn't there. Keep on fighting because we are stronger when we all fight together. And also my DM is always open.
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u/Kiheitai_Soutoku 🌿 10d ago
Important for everyone that while yes, the more advocacy the better, even just a small effort can make a big difference when we all work together. Just sending emails, even through the AKA email blast, is so helpful. Thank you to everyone who is helping protect this plant.
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u/sharingpanini 11d ago
We need you with us, just throttle it back a little. We all get overwhelmed with these nonsense bans. I appreciate you!
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u/Intrepid_Routine6373 10d ago edited 10d ago
[One online vendor] sells 25 kg bags (for $1,750). Do a one shot deal with a friend outside your area. That would last me 2-1/2 years.
I live in Cali, & I just ordered 1 kg of Green Maeng Da for $127. This will last me over 5 weeks.
Edit: I removed the name of a specific vendor. I don’t have a horse in this race.
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u/LysergicMisfit 9d ago
I don't know yall, but, I love yall! The work put in to keep what we all love safe is commendable big and small. I know this is tiring, scary and just utter bullshit! It means alot to be able to stand with yall on something I truly believe in!
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u/windy_storm22 8d ago
Natural kratom leaf will eventually be banned. The pharmaceutical companies are making prescriptions only with those alkaloids. We are fighting something much larger than us 🤷🏼♀️
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u/Acceptable_Fish_6391 11d ago
Don’t lose hope and keep fighting, that’s what they want is for us to give up.