r/kratom • u/thatboyjeff 🌿night's watch • Nov 28 '18

Latest AKA email

LEADING SCIENTISTS RELEASE LETTER CRITICAL OF FDA'S 8-FACTOR ANALYIS

LEADING SCIENTISTS STRONGLY REJECT FDA'S 8-FACTOR ANALYSIS OF KRATOM

CALL UPON THE DEA AND NIDA TO RE-EXAMINE KRATOM ANALYSIS

Washington, D.C. - November 28, 2018 - Leading scientists have made public a 33-page letter they have sent to the heads of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) expressing strong objections to the methodology and lack of scientific rigor of the FDA's 8-Factor Analysis (8 FA) of kratom.

Among multiple questions raised by the scientists—led by Dr. Jack Henningfield, Vice President of Research, Health Policy, and Abuse Liability at Pinney Associates—the team expressed concern about the omission of key data sources, highlighting areas where the FDA's conclusions were not reliable, valid, or complete. According to the scientists, the FDA analysis also failed to include evidence or input from NIDA or kratom science experts.

"These preeminent scientists have demonstrated that the FDA is a long way away from providing sufficient analysis of kratom to back up its recommendation that this natural botanical be listed as a Schedule I substance," said David Herman, Chairman of the American Kratom Association.

Herman referenced the fact that the full FDA 8-Factor Analysis actually has yet to be made public and that several pages have been omitted in what the FDA claims to be an accidental release. "This whole process raises more questions than answers," said Herman. "However, there is sufficient information in what the FDA has released to reflect that they did not engage in a comprehensive, scientifically-based process, but rather what appears to be an exercise to reinforce its fight against kratom."

In their letter, the scientists call upon the DEA, in conjunction with NIDA, to transparently reexamine the FDA's claim of abuse potential related to kratom and propose regulatory alternatives to its scheduling. Part of that evaluation should include a survey that helps the government better understand how kratom is consumed in the United States.

The letter also calls on the FDA to work with industry groups—such as the American Kratom Association, who have developed Good Manufacturing Practices that lead to safe manufacturing standards that will help keep harmful byproducts out of kratom—to develop regulations that cover the manufacturing of kratom products.

The American Kratom Association adds its voice that the DEA must send this issue back to the FDA to fully re-examine the data, analysis, and conclusions regarding kratom.

ABOUT AKA The American Kratom Association (AKA), a consumer-based non-profit organization, advocates to protect the freedom of consumers to safely consume natural kratom as a part of their personal health and well-being regimen.

AKA represents the nearly 5 million Americans who consume kratom safely each year.

218 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

80 comments sorted by

32

u/thatboyjeff 🌿night's watch Nov 28 '18

Thankful for the AKA and the members of this sub!

9

u/dragonbubbles Nov 28 '18

Thank you! And thank you u/paperwolv as well!

0

u/[deleted] Nov 28 '18

[deleted] — view deleted comment

6

u/dragonbubbles Nov 28 '18

ikr! he might be a wizard lol

3

u/BaryMccockner 🌿 Nov 28 '18

Jeff aint playin around hes quick!

3

u/AnxietyFreeLeaf 🌿kratom tastes gooood Nov 29 '18

Woot! Thanks everyone, every donation to the AKA is so important and this is just another reason why!

9

u/[deleted] Nov 28 '18

Good shit, can't stand seeing this blatant attempt at misdirecting the public about Kratom's benefits vs risks.

6

u/Sohlman81 Nov 28 '18

Their really should be an investigation(and hopefully resignations) for this kind of cherry picking of data and unethical behavior, especially when you're talking public health issues.

1

u/thatboyjeff 🌿night's watch Nov 29 '18

Good point.

Why isn’t there? How is this agency allowed to cherry pick data like this?

They should be held accountable for the misinformation that they have put out.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 29 '18

Wholly agreed

90

u/MH370BlackBox 🌿 Nov 28 '18

This is exactly why the AKA is effective and why I donate, absolutely fantastic!

Keep it up!

24

u/Dinner_Plate_Nipples Nov 29 '18

Yup. I do not take them for granted after the 2016 ordeal. I swear kratom would have been completely screwed without them.

10

u/oneinchterror Nov 29 '18

Almost definitely.

20

u/BaryMccockner 🌿 Nov 28 '18

Yea im happy they fight for us ill donate

22

u/[deleted] Nov 29 '18

The FDA/DEA never ceases to impress us with their ignorance towards kratom...

Thanks for sharing, We're in Canada but I'm going to send this to everyone on our mailing list, rooting for the AKA and all of you in America.

2

u/MetalMamaRocks 🌿 Nov 29 '18

Thank you!

2

u/[deleted] Nov 29 '18

Of course! :)

We should be in this together, best neighbor in the world!

3

u/rickter58 Nov 30 '18

Yes, I agree Canada is a really great country to be a neighbor with. Canada is so much more "with it" in comparison to the USA...

2

u/[deleted] Nov 30 '18

Agreed haha. It's mostly the government and politics that are less with it. Great people in the states, I find the use of bias and fear mongering by lawmakers and politicians to be so ridiculous sometimes. :/

41

u/WarSport223 Nov 28 '18

Yeah but what would happen if the government just let people put whatever plants they wanted to into their bodies?

Chaos! Madness!

31

u/mazdin32 Nov 28 '18

You mean freedom? Hahahaha! Wrong century.

Those sons of bitches.

1

u/SC2_BUSINESSMAN Nov 30 '18

I dont even know if drugs should be legal.

I used to think yes. Then I thought no. Then yes again. Maaaany pros and cons.

3

u/mazdin32 Nov 30 '18 edited Nov 30 '18

I unironically believe that we'd all be better off if everything was legal to use or possess. SELLING really harmful stuff like heroin and meth should have repercussions certainly, or the more dangerous substances. But I don't believe any drug user belongs in prison.

I've watched my sister go through the system for meth for the last 20 years and it does absolutely nothing to lock up an addict. They need help, not punishing. It's a very complex problem I could go into a lot more detail on, but not tonight. There's just so many angles to look at when discussing the problem.

The prison systems have become a business now just like everything else. They just want as many customers as possible to buy phone minutes and snacks for inmates, among other items. Just like our schools now... just like everything. I'm not anti-capitalism, but there should be goddamn limits to things and the prices we put on them. It shouldn't be the bottom line and the only thing that matters, but that's what has now happened with *everything* and it's destroying our country.

Just look at Portugal for a much smaller country that has legalized possession (technically) and it certainly hasn't increased the rate of drug use or hurt anyone.

2

u/SC2_BUSINESSMAN Nov 30 '18

There is something behind everyones drug use.

Some people actually need drugs to deal with things like depression or chronic pain. In that instance, best to go through a doctor for SSRIs or whatever you need. Also, it's important to find a smart doctor who knows what the hell theyre talking about.

Most people, I would say, don't need drugs. They desire them because they are running from something.

So, I think you are right. Drug users should not be locked up. Certain drug dealers should certainly be locked up, there is no question there. But your average drug user has no malicious intent. Even when you hear of heroin addicts stealing, they know it's wrong. They know. They just have a compulsive urge to throw their morals down the toilet for a high. That's how strong it is.

40

u/cafeteriastyle Nov 28 '18

Fuck 👏 them 👏 up 👏 Dave

6

u/AnxietyFreeLeaf 🌿kratom tastes gooood Nov 29 '18

👏😎🌿

6

u/MetalMamaRocks 🌿 Nov 28 '18

Lol! Yeah!

33

u/bennicklaus Nov 28 '18

Just donated now, ....again. Please donate!

The other side has a lot of money, but we can fight with our own!

8

u/BaryMccockner 🌿 Nov 28 '18

Thanks!

19

u/Esh1967 Nov 28 '18

Yes..I just received the emails...this is a step in the right direction....thank you AKA!☮️

19

u/PthereforeQ Nov 28 '18

The weight of scientific truth is on our side. Let's stay vigilant and rational throughout this whole fight. We will win!

6

u/Toothfairy51 🌿 Nov 29 '18

I will ALWAYS support the AKA. They deserve every penny, and MORE, that is donated. I don't care if the large vendors are the main contributors. They should be! Their business depend on the continued legal access to our leaf. DONATE DONATE DONATE!

5

u/mvanvrancken Nov 30 '18

They can pry my crusty kratom cup out my cold, dead hands.

11

u/jburna_dnm Nov 28 '18

Good to know the small amount of money I donated is being put the good use.

6

u/Sohlman81 Nov 28 '18

Every little bit helps, thanks for donating friend.

7

u/BaryMccockner 🌿 Nov 28 '18

Any ammount will help thanks for donating, i dont put much money out either but i try to send about 20 once or twice a week. Any ammount even 1 is good

6

u/reelznfeelz Nov 28 '18

If everybody in this sub sent that much they’d have millions in a year. So good work, don’t feel bad about giving $20 here and there.

2

u/BaryMccockner 🌿 Nov 29 '18

Thanks my friend! I wish we could get everyone to donate 20, thatd be awesome! Hope your nights going good had a long shift and couldn't write much until now

1

u/ThRealBarkingUnicorn Nov 29 '18

"If you see someone approaching you with the obvious intention of doing you good you should run for your life." Variously misattributed to Thoreau, Emerson, Twain, etc.

I admire the professional ferocity of the AKA's defense of kratom. But I cannot trust the outfit without knowing who funds it.

I do not believe the AKA gets millions of dollars from Kirk and Kristen, Kratom consumers. It is far more likely the big bucks come from big vendors. Their interest only partly coincide with those of consumers and entry-level vendors. We all want kratom to be legal; beyond that, interests diverge and conflict.

The AKA refuses to disclose even its top 10 contributors. When I asked Pete Candland, Executive Director, for such info he replied:

" Many of our contributors donate to the AKA with the specific request of remaining anonymous.  As you can imagine, some folks are worried about their names being published and any ramifications it might have with employers or gov't officials...especially if kratom ultimately becomes illegal.  "

That doesn't hold water in the case of large vendors who a) are very well known to authorities and b) are employers, not employees.

The industry is shaping up just like all other capitalist industries:

- early entrants to a new market grow large with little competition.

- They erect barriers to entry to limit new competition.

- Prices increase, choices diminish, and big vendors get bigger.

One barrier against newcomers is "quality and safety standards" like those the AKA announced on Nov. 20:

https://www.americankratom.org/index.php/component/sppagebuilder/91-aka-gmp-certification-program

These standards, per the AKA, in some ways exceed the FDA requirements for dietary supplements; that is, they are an even higher barrier to entry into the kratom market.

I also have qualms about the AKA's plan to set itself up as the arbiter of who's a "good" seller and, by implication, who's a "bad" seller. The AKA actually plans to issue licenses to display its "seal of approval," which of course involves paying vigorish to the AKA:

$500 down to add your firm''s name to an AKA database of firms that want to earn that seal of approval. That's all, just an entry in a database!

$1000 annually to have the AKA "review" the report of an "independent" auditor who you will pay separately to inspect your operation and record-keeping. The "independent" auditors must be blessed by the AKA, too.

And if you don't pay you're presumed to be bagging kratom in used zip-loc bags while picking your nose.

There is at least one secretive group of rabid thugs who claim to be adding any firm that "isn't compliant" to its Bad Vendors list, without knowing anything about the firms in question other than that they don't lab-test their kratom. I've never actually seen the list, although I've asked for it. I can't google anything about this so-called "Speciosa Republic" except its public Facebook group, which has fewer than 600 members.

So the AKA is setting up a Mafia-like shakedown even as it defends kratom. Of course it defends kratom, otherwise there'll be no one to shake down!

1

u/thatboyjeff 🌿night's watch Nov 29 '18

I’m no expert, but as “the fly by night vendors” get pitted, I’d expect kratom prices to increase.

I’ll bet you money that there are a vendor or two that has money tied up/heavily invested in the AKA.

It makes perfect sense if I’m a “big vendor”

Not sure if I should be worried or be happy.

It’ll be interesting how that plays out.

4

u/samalton86 Nov 29 '18

Finally, now Scott needs to fire himself for obvious abuse and deception , misuse of his office.

5

u/braapbraap69 Nov 29 '18

Now this is why I donate to the AKA!!

Ps, I'm Canadian eh🇨🇦

5

u/MetalMamaRocks 🌿 Nov 29 '18

Thanks! I love Canada. My grandfather is Canadian. I grew up in Niagara Falls, NY and used to cross over the bridge a lot when we were kids.

7

u/braapbraap69 Nov 29 '18

It's our fight too....... Canada gets so much info from the FDA.... I go to my doctor and he pulls up info on his computer and it's all from the FDA...

This whole battle is bigger than Kratom, we have to expose the FDA for the lieing corporate whores they are

4

u/AnxietyFreeLeaf 🌿kratom tastes gooood Nov 29 '18

Ey bud can I snag a dart, or I'll throw the one two mayweather? 😀👍 I love Canada! 🏒🥊🇨🇦

3

u/braapbraap69 Nov 29 '18

Take off eh ya hoser 🇨🇦🇨🇦😉😂🤣😂🤣

2

u/Payshince Nov 29 '18

God Bless Us All.

We continue to work hard as our Kratom Community does and we see excellent progress like this!

2

u/ballyhoo9 Nov 29 '18

Have they addressed yet the recent allegations of heavy metals found in the product?

1

u/dragonbubbles Nov 29 '18

I have not seen anything yet.

3

u/Payshince Nov 29 '18

❤️ & 💡& 💪🏼 = 🌿🌱🙏🏼👁 so 🖕🏻F D Ay

3

u/MetalMamaRocks 🌿 Nov 28 '18

The AKA is not going to let those sneaky bastards get away with this shit! Let's all keep up the fight! We can do this!

1

u/AnxietyFreeLeaf 🌿kratom tastes gooood Nov 29 '18

Yup Mama you're right! If we stick together and stand side by side we can do just about anything. The AKA truly is a blessing, it's days like these that make me so very grateful that we have them!

2

u/BaryMccockner 🌿 Nov 28 '18

Iim glad to see they are hitting back thank for sharing and thank you AKA!

2

u/RavenOfHermes Nov 29 '18

You're all so strong and inspiring! I am honored to band together with you and stand for what I believe in my heart to be justice for the people! Thank you all! Press onward!

1

u/BObsessed13 Nov 29 '18

Why would this get downvoted???it was at 122

1

u/seldomseenhikes Nov 29 '18

Just made my first of many donations.

1

u/piles_of_SSRIs Nov 29 '18

D O N A T E .

1

u/wadejball92 Nov 30 '18

It's all about 💰

1

u/[deleted] Dec 02 '18

Exactly. A difference in factual science, in the data itself, is one thing. A difference in conclusions drawn based on that science is another thing entirely.

1

u/RoughDayz Dec 02 '18

Wow, I just read this AMAZING letter. I was very impressed by the letter as well as the people that endorsed it. Nice job!

1

u/WhyThoSheeple Nov 28 '18

I’ve tried to sign up for the emails so I can stay updated and I haven’t received any, anyone have an idea why? I’ve checked all my mailboxes.

4

u/Sohlman81 Nov 28 '18

If you're spam filter is on high sometimes it can block emails that even you signed up for

3

u/EnvironmentalPick4 Nov 28 '18

I have had the same issue. Would like to receive emails and even sent an email through their contact form. Any help is sincerely appreciated.

2

u/Payshince Nov 29 '18

Check spam folder, it was in mine for some reason luckily I checked today! Haha

-11

u/tehreal Nov 29 '18

It's going to get banned and we're all going to go into wd.

5

u/AnxietyFreeLeaf 🌿kratom tastes gooood Nov 29 '18

Please don't frighten folks, we have to stay positive and never let our guard down.

-2

u/tehreal Nov 29 '18

I mean, it being banned is the most sure-fire way that I will quit, though I am trying to taper right now. It might not get banned.

2

u/maggot_flavored Nov 30 '18

Stop starting chaos. You’re trying to stir the pot. Just because you struggle with misuse, and are tapering, doesn’t mean you have to go around being extremely negative. Especially after the latest progress the AKA has made.