New AKA stuff...

[beathappening]

Not sure if this warrants a new topic buuttt
(Sorry for the formatting,just copy pasted)

https://reddit.app.link/jezUyO0zqO

The U.S. Congress returns today from its July 4th recess, and the U.S. Senate will begin its process of “unbundling” the 57+ House bills on the opioid crisis that were consolidated into H.R. 6 (“Patients and Communities Act”).
Here is the link to the full text of this legislation: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-con ... ill/6/text

Politics played a key role in the decision by House Speaker Ryan to rush the package of bills on the opioid crisis out of the House so the Republicans, who control the U.S. House, can claim they have acted to combat the epidemic of deaths from the opioid crisis. Politics will now flip that strategy on its head in the Senate where Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will likely wait until November to consider any of these opioid bills – so that the roughly 12 vulnerable Democrats in hard-hit states like West Virginia will not be able to claim a “yes” vote on opioid legislation.

This delay actually works in our favor because it provides more time to educate members of the Senate on the truth about kratom, and that time will work in our favor. The FDA, and other detractors of kratom, have worked hard to poison the ground for kratom users and have demonized the plant, and those who use it. When we have the opportunity to explain the science behind kratom, and the reasons why the FDA is wrong on this issue, public policy makers understand.

PROBLEM BILLS INCLUDED IN H.R. 6 FOR KRATOM
S. 1327 – Stop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues Act of 2017 (SITSA)

SITSA is a significant threat to kratom (1) because of the broad definitions of substances that can be placed into a newly created “Schedule A” that will allow the Attorney General to “temporarily schedule” substance for up to 5 years without judicial review; and (2) the characterization by the FDA that kratom is an opioid and/or an analogue of an opioid. The American Kratom Association supports an amendment to SITSA that will exempt natural botanicals and herbs, and we have had strong expressions of support for kratom from Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) – and consistent support from Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ); and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).

H.R. 5228 – Stop Counterfeit Drugs by Regulating and Enhancing Enforcement Now Act (SCREEN)

Some of the most offensive language in SCREEN was dropped in the House version of H.R. 6, but the concern
remains about the broad definitions of what is treated as a “drug” under the current language. AKA supports
the amendment to exempt natural botanicals and herbs from this legislation.

Additional Legislation in H.R. 6
Of Concern for Kratom
Each of these legislative proposals was included in H.R. 6, and all contain problematic language (of varying degrees) that would allow for a misinterpretation by an overzealous regulator to include kratom in sweep of opioid provisions when the Congress never really intended for kratom to be covered. We will continue our efforts to oppose all language that is open to such mischief.

H.R. 5582: Study on Abuse-Deterrent Opioid Formulation Access Barriers Under Medicare
H.R. 6: Requiring a Survey of Substance use Disorder Treatment Providers Receiving Federal Funding
H.R. 5202/H.R. 5311: Report on Opioids Prescribing Practices of Pregnant Women
H.R. 5806: Clarifying FDA Regulation of Non-Addictive Pain and Addiction Therapies
H.R. 5776: Medicare Coverage of Certain Services Furnished by Opioid Treatment Programs
H.R. 5558: Alternatives to Opioids
H.R. 5925: Restricting Entrance of Illicit Drugs
H.R. 5806: Clarifying FDA Regulation of Non-Addictive Pain Products

The American Kratom Association is working closely with the Botanical Education Alliance (BEA), the Kratom Trade Association (KTA), the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), the American Herbal Products Association (APHA), and a number of other advocacy organizations to coordinate lobbying and advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. In the coming weeks, we will need another wave of grassroots advocacy that will target specific Senate offices to help them understand the broads support for keeping kratom legal. In response to our recent advocacy push last week, the FDA has re-doubled their anti-kratom misinformation campaign to Congressional offices. That is why your voice is so important to counter this attack by the FDA.

State Update
Rhode Island:
The American Kratom Association Board has directed me to aggressively work with state officials in states where kratom is currently banned. Dr. Jack Henningfield and I met with the Rhode Island Department of Health officials on June 26 and made the case for rescinding the kratom ban. These officials demonstrated a willingness to review the scientific data presented by Dr. Henningfield and indicated they will evaluate the extensive data we provided both on the science and the facts behind the FDA’s flawed death assessments they attribute to kratom use

Michigan:
Senator Jones, in response to a request from the Michigan Prosecutors Association, plans to file legislation to ban kratom in Michigan. Senator Jones has agreed to a meeting on June 24 to hear our position, and we are grateful for his willingness to accept this meeting.

Upcoming National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit Meeting: NCSL, which is the largest organization of state legislators, will convene its Annual Legislative Summit in Los Angeles on July 29-August 2, and the American Kratom Association will be meeting with legislators throughout that week.
The FDA has been active in trying to recruit various state legislators to re-file kratom bans wherever they can. This meeting is a critical part of our ongoing advocacy in the states to demonstrate kratom is a safe natural botanical, and the FDA is flat wrong on its assessment of its safety and use as a food or dietary supplement.

[krattie]

Thanks for sharing this. Hopefully we can get more time to educate our representatives about the wonders of kratom.

[BallzDeep9]

The American Kratom Association is working closely with the Botanical Education Alliance (BEA), the Kratom Trade Association (KTA), the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), the American Herbal Products Association (APHA),

Anyone who disputes the work of AKA now, should have their head examined .. AKA led by Mr. Dave Herman and many others, has done an excellent job over the past year!! Yes 2016 is long gone .. This year the AKA has made a difference.

A big problem 1 year ago was the "in fighting" that caused a small bunch of trolls to form a bullshit group called NKC - that totally screwed up the presentation to Congress!! Yes in regard to the SITSA Bill. Hopefully we're past all the petty stuff, drama and bickering.. Everyone should now Support The AKA moving forward. Thanks!!