The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) expresses deep disappointment with the recent decision by the California Senate Appropriations Committee to place Assembly Bill 2365 (AB 2365), introduced by Assemblymember Matthew Haney, into the suspense file. AB 2365, which aimed to establish regulatory standards for kratom products in California, stalled during the Senate's suspense file process.
Kratom, derived from the leaves of the tropical evergreen tree Mitragyna speciosa, has been used for generations in Southeast Asia for its mood-boosting and energy-enhancing properties. In the United States, nearly 24 million consumers have benefitted from kratom, and state-level regulation is crucial to ensuring the safety and accessibility of kratom products.
"Under the leadership of bill author Assemblymember Matthew Haney, AB 2365 represented a significant step toward establishing consistent standards for kratom products in the U.S. The bill would have ensured that consumers in California had access to safe, regulated kratom, while preventing the sale of adulterated products," said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the GKC. "We remain committed to advocating for this legislation, as it benefits Californians and serves as a model for other states."
The GKC supports state-level enactment of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) across the U.S. However, the GKC recognizes the need for even stronger regulatory measures than those currently in place to ensure consumer safety and informed use of kratom products. In the current marketplace, a light-touch regulatory approach is not working. The GKC's recent efforts, including pushing for amendments to Oklahoma’s KCPA and introducing AB 2365 in California, underscore the coalition's commitment to comprehensive and effective kratom regulation.
AB 2365 sought to define and regulate kratom products, including leaf kratom and kratom extracts. The bill proposed clear standards for packaging, labeling, and testing protocols, while also addressing issues such as the sale of synthetic derivatives, age restrictions, and advisories for consulting healthcare professionals before use.
"We understand that this is a process," said Lowe. "Stakeholder education and buy-in is essential to ensuring consumer protection is balanced with protecting consumer choice and access to kratom in California. We are confident that as more Californians understand the issues and weigh in, their stories and quantifiable facts will win the day. We will have kratom regulations in California that truly address the need for safe, accessible and regulated kratom products."
GKC is focused on the path forward in California and other states.
The GKC is also determined to address and dispel inaccurate information regarding the cost of implementing AB 2365. Contrary to critics' claims, the bill called for producers to pay tiered registration fees based on the number of units produced and total annual sales in California, which would allow for lower fees for small to medium-sized companies.
"Ultimately, the merits of a consumer protection bill should be assessed based on how the provisions in the bill inform and protect consumers, rather than the cost to the industry," said Lowe in a recent Los Angeles Times article. "We will continue to fight for regulation that works."
The GKC also emphasizes the need to limit the amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH) in kratom products to less than 1% of total alkaloids, aligning with natural levels found in kratom leaves. The GKC strongly opposes recent attempts to increase the limit of 7OH in a kratom product to 2% by dry weight. This proposed amendment is not a modest change as suggested, and would allow for the proliferation of 7OH isolate products that pose significant public health risks. These suggested amendments are misleading, disingenuous and do not serve the pursuit of consumer protection.
Moving forward, the GKC will continue to advocate for safe and responsible kratom use, including supporting ongoing research into kratom's benefits and risks. Through $500,000 in unrestricted funding, the GKC has supported the University of Florida's research into kratom, which underscores the coalition's commitment to science-based advocacy.
As the kratom market continues to evolve, the GKC remains the driving force behind efforts to implement regulations that prioritize consumer safety and ensure the integrity of kratom products.
About the Global Kratom Coalition
The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) exists to protect and expand access to leaf-based kratom around the world. The organization represents the interests of advocates committed to positive change benefiting consumers. The organization supports education and the development of kratom science, which is central to the GKC’s mission—to empower individuals worldwide with access to safe and responsibly sourced kratom products by advancing scientific research and sensible regulation.
The GKC operates on five key values:
- Access: The belief that individuals should have a choice as to how they look after their health, informed by the latest unbiased information available.
- Education: Providing accurate, evidence-based information about kratom (including on our website), allowing consumers to make informed decisions.
- Advocacy: Serving as a united voice for kratom consumers worldwide, seeking fair and sensible regulations that prioritize consumer safety, freedom of information, and good sourcing and manufacturing practices.
- Community: Fostering a global group of enthusiasts, experts, vendors, and advocates to promote the benefits of kratom and fight for informed and responsible use.
- Responsibility: Promoting the responsible use of kratom and encouraging vendors to adhere to strict quality and safety standards so that consumers have access to safe, well-manufactured, and appropriately labeled products.
Please follow us at:
Website: https://globalkratomcoalition.org
Twitter: @kratomcoalition
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/globalkratomcoalition
Media Contact
Byron Johnson
+1 202-680-8129
bjohnson@globalkratomcoalition.org
Media Contact
Byron Johnson
+1 202-680-8129
bjohnson@globalkratomcoalition.org
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