Although there have been numerous concerns over the banning of kratom and its products, regular consumers of the substance can now rest easy. According to Marijuana Moment, the United Nations Executive Committee on Drug Dependency (ECDD) unanimously voted not to impose strict controls on the drug. Instead, the committee agreed to monitor the health impacts of the plant-derived substance that many people consider to be a safer alternative to prescription opioids.

Members of the ECDD panel concluded there’s inadequate evidence to impose an in-depth critical review of kratom. Moreover, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received unanimous feedback on the positive effects of the substance. Furthermore, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also received thousands of comments concerning kratom in a separate public study. 

Many people testified in their commentary that kratom provides a better alternative to chronic pain medication and can help reduce opioid dependency. This follows after a failed attempt by the FDA to get kratom domestically prohibited. The ECDD also mentioned that the most significant problem with kratom in the United States is the lack of regulation by the FDA.

According to WebMD, research has shown that kratom has several potential benefits, including pain relief, mood enhancement, and, in some cases, helping to reduce opioid dependency. Members of the ECDD acknowledged that kratom research is quite promising and could have plenty of health benefits in the future. Given that the legalization of cannabis has reduced the rate of misuse, a similar approach could work for kratom. However, there should also be strict regulations that follow this to ensure compliance and safe use of the substance.

Apart from health benefits, there are plenty of other advantages that kratom could bring. Similar to how cannabis has grown Canada’s economy after its legalization, kratom could bring equal progress. From creating new employment opportunities to the improvement of the GDP, there’s a lot that we stand to benefit from kratom. Furthermore, similar to how marijuana accessories have become popular with the rising fame of cannabis, kratom-related products could also be a source of income for market players. 

Following the rejection of the international ban on kratom, the American Kratom Association (AKA) is hopeful that regulations are within reach. Although this is still a long way to go, it looks like there is adequate support from the kratom community to push for FDA regulations and legislation.