When it comes to the legislation of controlled substances, whether domestic or internationally, there are several laws in which Kratom is affected. As the SITSA Act fell through in 2018, the effects on Kratom’s legibility and credibility within the United States is in flux.
What Was The SITSA Act of 2018
SITSA stands for Stop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues Act, and it was written out in 2017 and was brought up on the floor in June of 2018. The Act was passed, but it suffered drastically during the time before the midterm elections in 2018. The Act’s primary mandate was to control the importation of synthetic opiates and other substances like THC analogues from overseas. Many human rights organizations and Kratom advocates were deeply opposed to the Act as it caused significant threats to many holistic industries.
What Did It Do?
While it wanted to obtain some control over the opioid crisis, it was very poorly written. Some say that it was ultra-conservative and vague. Outlined below are some of the main points of the SITSA Act.
- Granted the Attorney General the power to make laws regarding controlled substances, which was considered too much power for one person. Rather than have laws pass through the appropriate channels, the Attorney General could create laws and enforce them.
- Extreme penalties were enacted for anyone in violation of these laws. The US sentencing commission did not consult the penalties during their development. In the past, harsh penalties such as this have been ineffective in curbing underground drug industries, as many people who suffer from addiction require admittance to treatment facilities, not prisons.
- Created Class A in the controlled drug scheduling system which included any substance that had similar effects to other illicit drugs.
SITSA’s Threat To Kratom
Kratom’s regulations have always prevented manufacturers or vendors from providing detailed and transparent information on the products, its effect, and its intended purpose. The creation of SITSA exploited this.
As the Act vaguely outlined any substances with similar effects, as Kratom has a very similar chemical structure to other opioids, the Act could deem it close enough to be banned. As Kratom manufacturers cannot be explicit with its effects, it is often said to have the same impact as opioids. This information then further triggers people to start making more correlations that could put Kratom as a heavily controlled substance.
As not many people know a lot about Kratom, other than those inside the community of advocates and manufacturers, there are not enough people to challenge any misleading information about Kratom. Over time this meant that more people only heard of the negative press regarding Kratom.
SITSA Could Not Ban Kratom
As the Act was not perfect, Kratom did not end up fitting into the criteria outlined by it. While many people demonize Kratom, saying that it is nothing more than a synthetic opioid, they are very wrong in understanding the substance. Kratom is an entirely natural product that is safe unless the people preparing it have not used the proper processing. While SITSA could not ban it, legislators may consider banning it if more inaccurate information spread about its properties. So while the SITSA act could not ban it, it does not mean that Kratom is in the clear.
Kratom Is Still Not In The Clear
Even though this Act was not successful in banning Kratom, there are still people pushing against Kratom. What it all comes down to is having more people educated on Kratom and its effects. The best way for people to help push Kratom into the good books is by researching more about it and gaining as much knowledge as possible. Once you start to find out more information, you can tell others about what you find. Look into how it is made and where it comes from and spread the word. The more widely accepted and appreciated that Kratom is, the more likely it will be looked at as a positive substance, not an opioid alternative.
There are reputable Kratom dealers throughout America and groups like the American Kratom Association, where you can acquire accurate information. Keep your eye out for any more legislation that comes out regarding Kratom so that you can stay up to date on the rules and regulations.
Kratom is a powerful healing substance that, when used properly, can have miraculous effects. If you want to help contribute to Kratom’s widespread use and acceptance, you can do your part in learning as much as possible.
When it comes time to make a Kratom purchase make sure you visit a reputable dealer or visit the online store. Here you can get top quality products and may be able to speak to someone about more information regarding its place in the controlled substances system.