Kratom is a naturally occurring plant used for centuries to relieve pain and improve mood. But since its inception in the market, Kratom has always been in the grey areas when it came to legal consumption of the substance. Although viva zen Alabama successfully established its name in the kratom market, it failed to convince some USA state officials of Kratom’s benefits and safe consumption habits. Alabama, therefore, banned it in 2016, which gave rise to several petitions by the people who want to enjoy the benefits of Kratom – legally.
What is Kratom?
Kratomis native to Southeast Asia in the coffee family. Its botanical name is Mitragyna speciosa. Traditional Chinese medicine knows Kratom for its plethora of psycho- and bio-active alkaloids that relieve pain and boost energy. The stimulatory effects set in motion may be shorter in duration than the sedation but are equally powerful, so they may balance each other out, resulting in a combination of effects that varies between refreshing and relaxing.
As seen by prescription medications, kratom powder is a natural plant extract that does not produce harmful side effects. You can consume Kratom either by chewing or drying the leaves to turn them into powder; you may choose to smoke it, put them into capsules, tablets, or extract oil, or by boiling it into a tea. It acts as both a mild stimulant and a mild sedative when ingested. We can use Kratom as an alternative to opiates to manage chronic pain and opioid withdrawal symptoms.
What is VivaZen?
Viva zen Alabama offers kratom-infused drinks that will help to relieve pain and relax the mind and body. The company started to function in 2014 under some friends looking for an alternative to over-the-counter pain medication. They produce liquid shots that contain 65 mg of kratom extract derived from the leaves made available for the customers to consume as and when they want. They are known to formulate kratom products with other natural ingredients, including; ginseng, valerian root, passionflower, and chamomile. They are fast-acting, all-natural ways to relieve pain and improve mood, providing relief from chronic pain, arthritis, inflammation, and other conditions. We can also use it to help with anxiety, stress, and depression.
Alabama Laws Regarding Kratom:
Kratom is legal in many states as people buy, sell, and consume it for recreational purposes or pain-relieving effects. While many claim that vivazen helped them counter pain and carry out their daily tasks without interruption, others acknowledge their addiction and have difficulty refusing its use.
From the Alabama state code: 13A-12-211, Kratom is a schedule I controlled substance, imitation controlled substance, or look-alike substance. But in 2016, Alabama listed mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine: the active alkaloids present in Kratom, as controlled substances as synthetic substances that cause opioid-like effects. Therefore, it is now illegal to sell or possess any products that include drink supplements, food supplements that may contain these substances.
That means that it is illegal to possess Kratom in Alabama, whether you use it for personal reasons or sell it to others.
But why is Kratom Banned in Alabama?
Kratom leaves contain high amounts of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Kratom also contains alkaloids with antioxidant properties. These compounds interact with opioid receptors in the brain, producing sedative, euphoric, and analgesic effects.
It is also used as an opium substitute and is, therefore, is used to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms. But there is a thin line between the treatment of opium withdrawal and abusing the mitragynine that has opioid-like effects.
No study supports the pain-relieving effects, which many claims, but these are considered detrimental to human health. Kratom also causes psychosis in some individuals, and therefore you should not take it lightly.
The main reason Kratom is banned is that there is not enough study regarding its consumption and effects. It remains untested as people doubt that the benefits of Kratom are, in fact, harmful effects in the long run.
Fda has warned people about the consumption of Kratom as a dietary supplement as it mimics the effects and symptoms of opioid consumption, including respiratory depression, nervousness, agitation, aggression, sleeplessness, hallucinations, delusions, tremors, loss of libido, constipation, skin hyperpigmentation, nausea, vomiting, and severe withdrawal signs and symptoms. There are no FDA-approved uses or implementation of Kratom, and it strongly advises against it.
The DEAattempted to put Kratom in the schedule I controlled substances list, but it reversed the order two months after its enactment due to public pressure. So DEA has ever since backed down from its efforts to label Kratom as a schedule I controlled substance. But The DEA has placed Kratom on its list of drugs and chemicals of concern. Because of this, it is necessary to learn the facts about Kratom before deciding whether to use it or not.
Efforts to Reverse the Ban:
The American kratom association spreads awareness about the kratom consumer protection act, which aims to ensure the safe transportation of Mitragyna speciosa through international and domestic shipping.
The AKA also lobbies for the plant to be removed from the list of controlled substances so that people using it for medicinal purposes can do so without fear of legal repercussions. In some cases, Kratom is more effective and less addictive than the drugs prescribed by physicians.
In February of 2017, a bill was proposed in the Alabama Senate that reversed the state’s ban on Kratom. The proposed bill stated that we should not consider Kratom a controlled substance because it does not have the potential for abuse. The bill was unsuccessful, and it is unclear whether they will make similar efforts in other states.
Other states that have banned Kratom, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Tennessee, Vermont, Wisconsin, prohibited kratom use in their regions.
You may find that Kratom is legal in some states, but some of the regions in the state have banned it in their locality. For example, in Florida, it is prohibited in Sarasota county, that is to say, that you can use Kratom in Florida legally, except in Sarasota county. So you must confirm the kratom status where you live.
Conclusion
While Alabama has banned kratom use and trade, if you want to consume Kratom, you either have to switch your medication from Kratom to some other substance for you to use for pain-relieving effects or shift to another region where Kratom is legal. Confirm the laws at your place before you decide to use Kratom.
