Kansas and Tennessee are safe!

[lumberjack]

Great news!

http://chapact.com/2018/04/kratom-tenne ... pril-2018/

[MetalMamaRocks]

That is great news!

[DoomCat]

It's true our hopes are high with the house passing the amended bill 95-1 but the senate HAS NOT amended the bill to remove kratom. State senators are still trying to have it amended. It's strange that places keep reporting it amended when it's not. You can look here to see that it's not: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInf ... ber=HB1832. Senator Mark Pody (who besides supporting removing kratom from the bill is a fucking nightmare horror of a senator) has put forth the amendment and is fighting hard to have it agreed on. Of course if it goes into debate with the house and senate it's really good that 95 out of 96 representatives voted aye.

[conscious_conundrum]

Awesome news!!!

[lumberjack]

It's true our hopes are high with the house passing the amended bill 95-1 but the senate HAS NOT amended the bill to remove kratom. State senators are still trying to have it amended. It's strange that places keep reporting it amended when it's not. You can look here to see that it's not: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInf ... ber=HB1832. Senator Mark Pody (who besides supporting removing kratom from the bill is a fucking nightmare horror of a senator) has put forth the amendment and is fighting hard to have it agreed on. Of course if it goes into debate with the house and senate it's really good that 95 out of 96 representatives voted aye.

Shit, my bad. I just saw it posted on reddit. Hope it still works out though!

[magaorelse]

The TN Senate hearing is scheduled for TODAY at 1:30pm CT. About 40 minutes from now. It is the battle of the amendments and I hope to God we win out. It is not too late to email the TN Senate about SB 2258, asking for their support of keeping Kratom legal and not voting for the bill with Yager's amendment, but for Sen. Pody's amendment which would restrict Kratom to 21+ but would keep kratom leaf legal in TN. PRAY, Y'ALL.
'

[magaorelse]

Here's the TN Senate email list: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

[DoomCat]

They were supposed to vote yesterday but it was delayed till today!! Everyone cross your fingers and toes and eyes!!!

[e_poison]

They were supposed to vote yesterday but it was delayed till today!! Everyone cross your fingers and toes and eyes!!!

Looks like they just delayed it again until tomorrow, if I'm looking at this right.

[DoomCat]

yep!!! uuuuurgh!!!! they sure are toying with my nerves!!!!! lol

[magaorelse]

On the agenda for this morning in TN. Hearing starts at 9:30am CT. PRAY, if you are so inclined, send good thoughts and energy. It is down to the wire right now and that damn Sen Yager is not giving up. PLEASE email and call senators this morning and ask that they either vote NO on SB 2258 as amended by Yager, or that they vote YES to Sen. Pody's amendment which puts an age restriction on Kratom. I am nervous as shit this morning

[DoomCat]

im so nervous tooooooooo!!!!

[DoomCat]

well it seems as tho the senate passed the House bill but amended it to return the kratom ban to the bill. so fucking sad........but the fight isn't over. I guess theyll make a committee of senators and reps to figure a compromise. but it seems like such a loss cuz the governor is very anti-kratom.......i'm still keeping my sad fingers crossed!!!

(edit: i took down the list of email addresses for now because it's been asked to not email just yet. i will update the more i know)

[DoomCat]

also can the title of this thread be changed to: Kansas is safe, but NOT Tennessee?!?!?!?!

[magaorelse]

Yes if someone could edit the title that would be great, as TN is FAR from safe. In fact we are almost fucked. The bill will likely go to conference committee Monday morning. The committee will hammer out something they all agree on and that will be the bill that gets voted on. We have friends and we have foes on the Hill, and our biggest foe: Senator Yager, is well funded by the alcohol industry. https://ballotpedia.org/Ken_Yager . ( He's also done some shady fundraising. http://www.wbbjtv.com/2017/04/13/senate ... donations/ )

The AKA and BEA have asked that TN residents please, please email and call the TN House and Senate, ask them to vote to keep Kratom legal in TN. Everybody. Be sure and list your city/county when you email.

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

BEA says phone calls are even better, so here is a link to a list of TN senators with phone numbers. Email AND call!! http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members

Here are the emails for the TN House.

'[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'

[e_poison]

also can the title of this thread be changed to: Kansas is safe, but NOT Tennessee?!?!?!?!

If you edit your post, you should be able to change the post title as well. Let me know if it's not working correctly.

[DoomCat]

i didnt start the post so i can't change it as far as i know????

[BlendsAreMyFriends]

i didnt start the post so i can't change it as far as i know????

That's correct. The original poster has to change it.

[DoomCat]

Another update on TN: yesterday the House voted against the Senate bill that would ban Kratom. It now goes back to the Senate and they have to appoint a conference committee to work out a compromise! Very good news!! Here's the list for those interested in who in the House voted for and against the Senate bill banning kratom:

HB1832 by Hawk - FLOOR VOTE: CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT # 2 4/23/2018
UNKNOWN
Ayes...............................................35
Noes...............................................53
Present and not voting...................5

Representatives voting aye were: Alexander, Beck, Brooks H., Butt, Byrd, Calfee, Curcio, DeBerry, Doss, Dunn, Eldridge, Forgety, Hardaway, Hawk, Hazlewood, Holt, Howell, Keisling, Lamberth, Lynn, McCormick, Moody, Powers, Rogers, Rudd, Sexton J., Sherrell, Smith, Staples, Tillis, Travis, Vaughan, Weaver, Whitson, Zachary -- 35.
Representatives voting no were: Akbari, Boyd, Brooks K., Carr, Carter, Casada, Clemmons, Coley, Cooper, Crawford, Daniel, Faison, Favors, Fitzhugh, Gant, Goins, Halford, Hicks, Hill M., Hill T., Holsclaw, Hulsey, Jernigan, Johnson, Kane, Littleton, Lollar, Love, Marsh, Matheny, Matlock, McDaniel, Miller, Mitchell, Parkinson, Pitts, Powell, Ramsey, Reedy, Sanderson, Sargent, Shaw, Sparks, Stewart, Terry, Thompson, Towns, Van Huss, White D., Williams, Windle, Wirgau, Madame Speaker Harwell -- 53.
Representatives present and not voting were: Camper, Gravitt, Moon, Ragan, White M. -- 5.


If you are a TN resident, please take the time to email yr reps and either thank them for standing by you and voting no against the bill, or urge those that voted aye to stand by whats right and start fighting!!

[e_poison]

I imagine those 5 people not voting looking at each other and speaking in hushed whispers like "wtf is kratom?".

But, great news overall! Looks like it has a good chance to remain legal there.

[AngelHippie]

this is great news.

[DoomCat]

ANOTHER TN UPDATE!

So the senate REFUSED to consider changing their amended bill therefore making Kratom illegal. It went back to the house and they refused to concede to the Senate’s amendment making it illegal and they have appointed a conference committee. It's on the calendar today and i will post updates as i hear things....Please TN residents contact the governor and yr legislature ASAP!!! https://mobilize4change.org/UUfuxQJ

[magaorelse]

LOOKING GOOD RIGHT NOW in TN!! I just got back from the legislature where the House overwhelmingly agreed to the conference committee report that would put an age restriction and some basic labeling requirements on Kratom leaf, but not make it illegal. The House has been very much on our side and we have made some good relationships with many Reps (Senators too). Now the bill goes back AGAIN to the Senate, which will reconvene at 2:30pm CT today. We have been told that they are gonna also concur with the conference committee's amendment, but it ain't over till it's over, if you know what I mean. Tune in, I'll post the link when it is available. Pray and send good energy. The Governor wants this bill to pass, but it is not passing with Kratom criminalization in it, hopefully.

Edit to add the link to the Senate session which is about to start: http://tnga.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.ph ... nt_id=3035

[magaorelse]

Here is the text of the conference committee amendment that the House has agreed to and now the Senate needs to concur with.

Conference Committee Report on House Bill No. 1832 / Senate Bill No. 2258
The House and Senate Conference Committee appointed pursuant to motions to resolve the differences between the two houses on House Bill No. 1832 (Senate Bill No. 2258) has met and recommends that all amendments be deleted.
The Committee further recommends that the following amendment be adopted: by deleting Sections 10 and 11, substituting instead the following, and redesignating the subsequent sections accordingly:
SECTION 10. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-452(a), is amended by adding the following as a new subdivision (a)(3):
(A) It is an offense for a person to knowingly:
(i) Sell, or offer for sale, Kratom unless labeled and in its natural form; (ii) Distribute, sell, or offer for sale, Kratom to a person under the age of
twenty-one (21) years; or
(iii) Purchase or possess Kratom if under the age of twenty-one (21)
years.
(B) For purposes of this subdivision (a)(3):
(i) "Labeled" means a label containing the manufacturer's information and a warning that includes, at a minimum, "Warning: Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing. It is illegal to possess Kratom if under 21 years of age. Consult your healthcare professional before using. Do not combine with alcohol or medication. Consult a doctor prior to usage if you have any heart disease, liver disorder, high blood pressure, or medical condition or take medication."; and
(ii) "Natural form" means dried, cut, and sifted Kratom leaf or raw Kratom leaf powder.
CC0015
017846
-1-
_____________________________ Senator Mark Norris
_____________________________ Senator Ken Yager
_____________________________ Senator Reginald Tate
_____________________________ Representative Bill Dunn
_____________________________ Representative Glen Casada
_____________________________ Representative Mike Stewart

[magaorelse]

The TN Senate agreed this afternoon to the language in the conference committee amendment, which I posted above. This bill is on its way to the Governor's office for his signature and then it will be done! At least for now, Kratom leaf in TN will remain legal, with the stipulations in the language of the conference committee. This was one hell of a fight and the Governor's people congratulated us on how well we did. Remain alert! I am sure they will come for us again in the future!

[e_poison]

This is awesome news!

[DoomCat]

I'm sooooo happy!!!!! And now we don't have to change the title of this thread!!!!!!!

[magaorelse]

I'm sooooo happy!!!!! And now we don't have to change the title of this thread!!!!!!!

Yesss!!! Here is the video from yesterday- our bill starts around 3:00:34 and stops around 3:07:02. Highlights include Sen. Yager having to concur at 3:03, and then a warning we all need to remain alert, from Sen. Norris at 3:05 who says Kratom is on "borrowed time". Sen Nicely then schools the body around 3:05:50 and says we need to outlaw oxycodone, not Kratom. The vote is around 3:06:44, 23-2. Sen. Briggs and Swann were the only votes against us in this last battle of the legislation. http://tnga.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.ph ... p_id=15239

[magaorelse]

From the BEA who worked their asses off for us in TN:

Kratom Leaf remains legal in the state of Tennessee

You did it, we did it, every single person in the kratom community that made an email or call to a House Representative or Senate member, shared a Facebook post, told their friends to email/call or literally showed up to speak during the Tennessee testimonies were all an essential piece of achieving this monumental moment in kratom history.

Thank you all.

Kratom wasn’t just removed from the bill, it is now in the bill as 100% legal . This is a huge win for both Tennessee residents and Americans as a whole. It clearly demonstrates what can be accomplished with the right resources, persistence and educational strategies.

Typically, legislation that is already established has a significantly harder time getting reversed compared to the act of incorporating brand new legislation meaning it will be very difficult for Tennessee to change this law.

This now works in our favor.

Once again, a united effort in educating representatives results in kratom remaining legal. This is will stay the case provided companies follow FDA guidelines and regulations. Compliance is key.

Please do not give legislators a reason to change their mind!

The BEA the AKA have been coordinating and strategizing to divide up the lobbying efforts in the states. The BEA took the lead in Tennessee and the AKA took the lead in Kansas. We have been sharing resources and collaborating efforts in both states to be most effective. This collaborative effort has enabled us to give our all in our respective states.

Tennessee has been no easy feat, we had to have experts on the ground several times to continually educate legislators. Thankfully we were not alone. We were accompanied by kratom advocates that bravely shared their powerful stories in front of a Congressional audience. Special thanks to Melanie and Cherity who attended every meeting and met with every representative.

United we stand!

With Gratitude,
Angela Watson, Travis, Ryan & BEA Board