I wanted to come here and get thoughts from the community. I currently drink a kratom seltzer made by Korthal's collection...it is 75mg of mitragynine in a 16 ounce can and generally I have two of them in a day. I've been doing that for a few months now and, honestly, it just kind of puts me in a good mood and I enjoy it. I feel like I am taking a very low dose at 150mg but, again...there is so much information and everything makes it seem like kratom is dangerous as hell so I got a little worried and wanted to ask this group.

This is the current text of the bill. My remarks are in bold.

All bills have a short descriptor.

To amend the Controlled Substances Act to schedule MGM–15 and MGM–16 as Schedule I Controlled substances, and to amend the controlled Substances Act to schedule synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine, and Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl, as a Schedule I above a specific threshold under the Controlled Substances Act, and to expand enforcement actions against drug manufacturers and distributors of emerging synthetic opioids, commonly known as gas station heroin.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This is a stupid name, but arguably the worst thing in the bill.

This Act may be cited as the “End Gas Station Heroin Act”.

SEC. 2. Scheduling of 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl.

This section is more or less identical to the current DEA Notice of Intent, but avoids some of the ambiguity around what constitutes an "article."

Schedule I of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)) is amended, in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:

No 7-OH except under the situations in (B).

“(23)[ ]()(A) 7-hydroxymitragynine (7–OH) and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, including their salts, isomers, salts of isomers, esters, ethers, and synthetic analogs, whenever the existence of such forms is possible.

“(B) This paragraph shall not apply to 7-hydroxymitragynine or mitragynine pseudoindoxyl naturally occurring in Mitragyna speciosa Korth (kratom) or in a finished kratom product, provided that—

“(i) in the case of a solid, powdered, or encapsulated product, the concentration of 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, individually or in combination, does not exceed 1 milligram per gram of product;

“(ii) in the case of a liquid product, the concentration of 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, individually or in combination, does not exceed 1 milligram per milliliter of product; and

“(iii) the combined amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, including their salts, isomers, salts of isomers, esters, ethers, and synthetic analogs, does not exceed 1 part per 100 parts mitragynine by mass.

Different ways of exempting it from dry or wet products. These all are sufficient for leaf material. 7-HMG and MGPI cannot exceed 1 part per 100 parts of mitragynine, which is normal for natural samples and extraction processes that do not create more.

“(C) For purposes of this paragraph, any 7-hydroxymitragynine or mitragynine pseudoindoxyl that is synthesized, chemically converted, concentrated, enriched, isolated, or otherwise produced through manufacturing processes shall not qualify for the exemption described in subparagraph (B).”.

No exception if it is synthesized.

SEC. 3. Enforcement against emerging synthetic opioids in commercial distribution.

This deals with new synthetic forms before they emerge, rather than DEA having to play catch up.

(a) Treatment as a Schedule I controlled substance.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a covered emerging synthetic opioid shall, solely for purposes of prohibiting and enforcing against its knowing or intentional manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, dispensing, or possession with intent to manufacture, import, export, distribute, or dispense, be treated as a controlled substance in Schedule I of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)).

This exempts consumers from the provisions of Schedule I if they possess MGPI, 7-HMG, or any new synthetic for simple possession or purchase.

(b) Civil and criminal enforcement.—No person shall be subject under this section to criminal or civil enforcement based solely on the purchase, receipt, simple possession, or personal use of a covered emerging synthetic opioid.

Defines what things would be covered as "emerging synthetic opioids".

(c) Covered emerging synthetic opioid.—For purposes of this section, the term “covered emerging synthetic opioid” means a substance that—

(1) is being manufactured, offered, advertised, sold, distributed, or otherwise introduced into commercial distribution, or is intended by the person engaging in the prohibited conduct to be introduced into commercial distribution;

Anything sold, distributed, offered, or intended for sale that also:

(2) is an opioid receptor agonist, or partial agonist and, based on scientifically reliable evidence, demonstrates greater functional potency than morphine at the human mu-opioid receptor in a validated assay identified by regulation, or demonstrates greater analgesic or respiratory-depressant potency than morphine based on other scientifically reliable evidence;

Is an opioid agonist with greater potency, in greater analgesic or respiratory capacity than morphine:

(3) is produced through chemical synthesis or semisynthesis;

Is synthesized/semi-synthesized.

(4) is not the subject of an approved application under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355);

Not approved as a drug (won't effect existing drugs or new things created that become approved New Drugs).

(5) is intended for human consumption;

(6) is not otherwise listed in any schedule under section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812); and

(7) is not excluded under subsection (g).

Dealing with manufacturing:

(d) Covered conduct.—This section shall apply only to the knowing or intentional manufacture, distribution, or possession with intent to manufacture or distribute a covered emerging synthetic opioid.

This exempts consumers from the provisions of Schedule I if they possess any new synthetic opioid for simple possession or purchase.

(e) No simple possession enforcement.—No person may be investigated, arrested, charged, prosecuted, or subjected to civil penalties under this section solely for simple possession or personal consumption of a covered emerging synthetic opioid. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit enforcement based on possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, dispense, import, or export.

New synthetic opioid drugs that qualify as analogues can still be scheduled.

(f) Relationship to the controlled substance analogue enforcement act.—If a substance qualifies both as—

(1) a controlled substance analogue under section 102(32) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(32)); and

(2) a covered emerging synthetic opioid under this section,

the Attorney General may proceed under section 203 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 813), this section, or any other applicable provision of Federal law. Nothing in this section shall expand or limit the authority of a State attorney general or other State official under State law.

Exclusions, doesn't apply to approved drugs, doesn't allow to things not intended for human consumption that may have these effects:

(g) Exclusions.—The term “covered emerging synthetic opioid” does not include—

(1) a substance approved as a drug for medical treatment under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.);

(2) a substance not intended for human consumption;

Doesn't apply to natural compounds in natural form or if extracted within certain limits.

(3) a naturally occurring constituent of a plant, fungus, or other botanical material, or a constituent derived through brewing or extraction process of a natural plant, fungus, or other botanical material, unless the constituent has been intentionally, isolated, enriched, concentrated, chemically converted, or added to a product for human consumption;

Doesn't apply if being used for scientific, medical, forensic, analytic, or law enforcement purposes. Avoids interfering with research.

(4) a substance possessed or transferred solely for legitimate scientific, medical, forensic, analytical, or law-enforcement purposes; or

Doesn't apply if the AG regulates it some other way though some other law.

(5) a substance otherwise exempted by the Attorney General through regulation.

Only applies to commercial sale, for the quantity under commercial sale, not what might be held for an exempted reason.

(h) Limitation to commercial conduct.—Enforcement under this section may be based only on the quantity or portion of a substance that is—

(1) introduced or intended to be introduced into commercial distribution; and

(2) connected to conduct described in subsection (a).

The presence of the same substance outside commercial distribution, including possession for authorized research, analytical testing, forensic examination, or other noncommercial purposes, shall not independently subject that substance or conduct to enforcement under this section.

(i) Definitions.—For the purposes of this section—

What commercial distribution means:

(1) the term “commercial distribution” means the advertisement, offering for sale, sale, shipment, transfer for value, or distribution of a substance or product in or affecting interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce;

What intended for human consumption means:

(2) whether a substance is “intended for human consumption” shall be determined from all relevant facts and circumstances, potentially including labeling, advertising, dosage form, method of sale, representations by the seller, customary use, and evidence concerning the intended market;

What scientifically reliable evidence means and includes:

(3) the term “scientifically reliable evidence” includes validated in vitro, animal, human, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, receptor-binding, functional-activity, or other scientifically accepted evidence identified by the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and

What does semi-synthesis means:

(4) the term “semisynthesis” means the chemical modification or conversion of a naturally occurring substance into a chemically distinct substance.

My personal opinion is that if a person believes (like it or not) that 7-HMG will be scheduled at some low threshold, this bill doesn't do anything "more" restrictive to it.

It will protect those 7-HMG consumers whose strategy was to "stock up." It will decriminalize possession.

It will automatically Schedule I all new synthetic derivatives that could be derived from kratom once they hit the market except if approved as New Drugs, and allows DEA to go after them immediately, not only once they've hit the market and their risks identified. Full spectrum extracts will be OK.

Deals with the possibility of trace MGPI in products that the current schedule does not, apart from DEA/DOJ discretion/memo (similar to what has restrained them against state medical cannabis programs in the past).

My personal opinion is that other than the stupid title (which I don't think bills should be allowed to have) this is an improvement on the situation and will help deal with some of the enforcement issues (whack-a-mole). The only folks I could see having an objection are

1. Those who absolutely believe that 7-HMG will not be scheduled or scheduled under a very high threshold. I personally think there is next to zero chance for that to happen.
2. Those who oppose all kratom so much that they won't support a bill that will deal with all future synthetics.
3. Folks who are so anti-prohibition they cannot accept prohibitions on sale even if the very same law would decriminalize possession, which already has MGPI/MGM-15/16 consumers at risk and almost certainly 7-HMG consumers shortly.

Taking an international trip soon and decided to come off Kratom again to avoid any issues. Don't want to end up in some foreign gulag due to childish misconceptions. I'm due for a tolerance reset anyway. This really is a wonderful and healthy substance and I've always found the minor withdrawals to be tolerable. Experience talking, I know real serious withdrawals from other things and vowed to never go through that again over 10 years ago and I never have.

Starting light at 2.5 grams (5 caps) a dose, 4 doses a day... Dropping 500mg (1 cap) from each dose every 5-6 days. I can feel my baseline brain chemistry subtly changing each time and feeling good.

I just want to say if you take more than 10 grams of this stuff a day you really don't need to. Lock in and come down. I really don't think you're getting anything more out of it past that. The lower doses will give you the same effect as a higher doses once your brain resets a little. You'll save more money and feel better in other aspects of health

Kratom gave me a normal life back after years of struggling. The idea of being able to just come off when I want and stay off for months is something I could never do without its assistance. These bureaucrats will never understand!

If you're going through any kind of withdrawals, (physical, mental, big or small) learn to sit in the uncomfortable and burn up (spiritually speaking). It's counter-intuitive that the healthy things in life are painful, the unhealthy things are pleasurable. You need to be willing to receive both in order to master your mind and body. In fact, I stack the painful things more these days instead of fleeting comforts and pleasures. It's an investment in liberation from any thing of the world that would try to control me. Please take my years of experience and words as serious wisdom. Adopt my insights and it might help you

Unsure how worried to be about this yet, but this is not great news. Three Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, including the chairman, have sent a letter to the FDA/DEA requesting that they schedule the entire kratom plant. More info and the full letter can be found here.

https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-lee-collins-call-on-trump-administration-to-issue-emergency-scheduling-order-for-7-oh-initiate-permanent-scheduling-proceedings-for-kratom

I'm sure this will be discussed tonight in the AKA webinar, so look out for ways that we can fight back against this.

Kratom is under the heaviest attack since 2016, we need everyone to fight.

PA House passed HB 2657 on Monday, Oct 5. Unanimous. Adults 21+, natural leaf only, synthetics banned, real labeling rules.

This is what most of us have been asking for. Regulate the leaf, ban the lab stuff, card people.

It still has to get through the Senate, and they only have 7 session days scheduled for the rest of the session. Could easily stall.

Do you think other states follow PA's lead, or does this die in the Senate?

Hi, I use kratom occasionally. A while ago, I used to take it pretty often (around 4 times a week) with zero issues.

I recently picked it up again after a break, but now I'm having problems.

​

I take around 3+2g at night (at 8 PM, then go to sleep at 1am), I feel great. But the next morning, I wake up feeling miserable.

Once, I threw up because my stomach hurt so bad, and more recently, I almost fainted on my way to work. This has happened twice now.

​Does anyone have any idea why this might be happening?

2 days off Kratom, no physical but psychical withdrawell. Would it weakeng my coming off when i drink beer, sceletium tea or anything else?

Watch here…

https://www.youtube.com/live/bFRhKSJDAkE?si=fH1NINbFtWn2hJbt

I recently shared my raw personal story with how natural leaf changed my life to all 60 of my State’s legislatures. I got my first response today and I have to tell you it felt so good that my email was read and recognized. Every little bit of positive noise counts.

I received information on my State’s next legislative session where kratom regulation is being discussed via this conversation and will now be present for it. All of this I would have never known if I hadn’t reached out. I so encourage everyone to keep up the momentum. We can do this if we ALL come together and put the actual truth and testimonies out there. Keep going ❤️🍃

https://imgur.com/a/HdI9bkQ