SB557

At support meetings, I've met multiple families with loved ones struggling with an addiction to kratom. I've learned that kratom is highly addictive, causes health risks and radically altered the lives of those addicted to it. These heartbreaking family stories are why I'm writing to urge you to vote to pass SB 557, a critical bill that protects youth from early substance use.

The citizens of NH do not want synthetic and semi-synthetic Kratom products sold in our state. It's too easy to buy and very difficult to quit.

Kratom has help me in so many ways. I use to be a addict for 10 years, my DOC was heroin an meth. I got clean for legal reasons an probation. I did that cycle again for a 2nd time when i relapsed. But this time was diffrent, I found kratom an I never looked back to the drug life since. It's help me with energy, anxiety, depression, an just a over all good mood. Kratom gave me the motivation to want to start living a healthy lifestyle. Even till this present day Kratom gives me energy to keep up with my 1 year old. I don't have much energy due to my thyroid issues. But kratom let's me have the energy thru the day an the pain relief at night after all day of keeping up with my son. Thank you for your time.

Strongly in support of this bill.

As someone who struggled with a nine year addiction to prescription opioids prescribed by my doctor for chronic arthritis and a back injury, I can attest to the life-changing benefits of natural kratom. I now rely on plain leaf kratom to manage chronic pain from sciatica and severe arthritis. This allows me to remain present and capable to hold down a job as a vendor for a bread company. A total ban would force constituents like me into an impossible position: returning to highly addictive prescription medication that made me so tired that I couldn't hold down a job and support my family, or facing criminalization for seeking a natural alternative that has allowed me to reclaim my life. I am certainly not opposed to reasonable consumer safety regulations. I urge the legislature to distinguish between natural kratom leaf and synthetic derivatives like 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) extracts. While I support banning chemically modified synthetic versions produced in shady labs to make a quick buck, it is vital to keep natural kratom legal and accessible. I also must stress the fact of how important it is to buy from vendors who operate in good faith and full transparency by posting their lab results. It is imperative that the kratom that I take is safe with no high levels of heavy metals. Based on what I know from research and through a friend of mine who is a kratom vendor, it is nearly impossible to get product that has been tainted with heavy metals out of Indonesia or Thailand. The officials there do the first round of testing, deeming the product safe to export. They do this out of responsibility, but also out of the fear of lawsuits from foreign nations. Then the product is tested again in American labs to make sure that the product is indeed safe for Americans to consume. A total ban would devastate a community of law-abiding citizens who have found a path to recovery and wellness. What this ban will ultimately do, is ensure that kratom users will turn to lethal street drugs, instead of having a healthier option. I urge you to instead consider regulations that ensure product safety without removing this essential resource. Do not believe the false reports of people dying from natural kratom. The people who have "died" from kratom were either on synthetic derivatives or combined it with other substances. The hypocrisy of banning natural plants while also keeping alcohol, pills, and tobacco legal is also aggravating, given that more people die from those vices times a thousand than they do from natural kratom, yet those remain readily available. Please do not take away the liberty to do with my body as I see fit. Thank you for your time and considering my perspective. God bless, James Scagliano

My name is Jennifer De Luz and I’m writing you from Wa State. I won a local election in November and now hold a seat as council-member #6. I’m corresponding with you to encourage you to consider the facts about pure leaf Kratom, by revealing some facts about myself. In 2012 I discovered pure leaf kratom and detoxed myself off of intravenous opioid use. I was able to do so with nothing but the absolute desire to be clean, Jesus, and pure leaf Kratom. See, just like big pharmas “suboxone” Pure leaf Kratom takes care of all of the horrible withdrawal symptoms an everyday user would experience. I did this thru my own finances, on my own time. I did not need any tax payer funding or big pharma to do so. I keep repeating the term “pure leaf” kratom because I’m referring to 100% pure leaf Kratom powder…as is…as God made it. It has been used for thousands of years in Asia without incident.  I am asking you to ban the imposter products that give pure leaf Kratom a bad name…please ban 7-oh, and other synthetic products a bad name. I hope to see a class action or criminal indictment against the maker of 7-oh products, Vince Sanders of CBD American Shaman. He is killing people and destroying pure leaf Kratoms good name. I’m sure you can understand why I say I’m not a good candidate for big pharma…  I am living with an autoimmune disease that causes great pain in my everyday life…when I am in a flare up I take pure leaf kratom…and am so thankful that as a free American I can treat myself with plants the creator made.  Please accept my testimony. I urge you to do your due dilligence and make the only, right decision. Protect pure leaf kratom and ban the imposters.Thank you for your time. Respectfully, Jennifer De Luz Council member #6 Woodland Wa 360-688-4127

I am long time NH resident, business owner, Mother of two and holistic mentor. I am writing in support of SB 557 and to express sincere appreciation for the effort to distinguish between synthetic variants of kratom and the natural whole leaf. As both a small business owner in this space and a mother, I care deeply about ensuring that consumers have access to safe, unadulterated products while also protecting the integrity of responsible vendors. I spoke with the original sponsor of this bill and we were both confident in the regulatory framework it introduced. Although there were some restrictions myself and several others wanted amended, throwing out the whole bill including the age gate of 21 plus truly confuses me. I respectfully share my disappointment that these specific protections for whole leaf kratom have been removed. Regardless, SB 557 is an important step forward, and with some thoughtful refinement, it can become a model for balanced, effective regulation that prioritizes both safety and access. Thank you for protecting whole leaf kratom!

Good evening, my name is Dylan Smith. I am a father, a New Hampshire resident and an advocate for natural health and medicine. Before discovering whole leaf kratom powder, I dealt with a host of debilitating health issues both physical and psychiatric. Following previous mental health diagnosis I struggled with throughout my teens and 20s, In 2018, I was diagnosed with Neuroborreliosis -- an infection that effects the brain and nervous system from the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. I suffered from a host of debilitating symptoms that upended my life for over 10 years. Before whole leaf Kratom and other natural herbs came into my life My daily reality was crippling pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, insomnia and digestive distress. My condition became so severe that In 2018 I was hospitalized for over a month. My physical and mental health had declined to the point I was put on disability and for several years was completely unable to support myself - and while Most people never return to work after going on disability, I recently have -- in largest part due to kratom's role in helping to manage my complex health issues. This has allowed me to contribute to our family and community in ways that would not have been possible otherwise. In 2016, I entered recovery from alcohol and prescription pills that I was using to manage my symptoms and began detoxing off several pharmaceuticals, including benzodiazepines like Xanax and Klonopin and stimulants like adderall and Ritalin. I was legally prescribed these to manage my symptoms but there effect on me became highly detrimental. I’m extremely familiar with the concept of sobriety and what it means to be sober vs not. With a background in addiction I’m acutely aware of when something plays a medicinal role in my life and when something is destructive. No other substance has ever been more medicinal and helpful in my 15 years of treatment for my mental and physical disabilities as Kratom leaf has been. It supports my recovery process just like so many other people across the country - and has a massive positive impact on my mental health and discomfort levels without getting me intoxicated or inebriated - something so important to me. In my opinion It is because of Kratom’s ability to take the place of high profit pharmaceuticals and be used as an exit substance that it is so heavily demonized. It is actually because of how beneficial it is that we see calls for bans and a coordinated effort across the country. It’s so beneficial that it cuts into the profits of the pharmaceutical companies who heavily lobby and influence our government - for instance If I weren’t using kratom I would likely be, and at one point have been on a stimulant, a benzodiazepine, an anti depressant, a sleep medication, an opiate and more. With the actual costs of these drugs - or cost to the taxpayer if insurance is used - That is a lot of money not being made off my conditions. This is a classic case of profits over people - just like we saw with cannabis over the past 10 years. Nh is already a leader in freedom and constitutional protection - live free or die is our motto - and banning the leaves of a tree with great medicinal value - while allowing substances like alcohol with no medicinal value - directly violates the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness of thousands of people in our state. It is in fact the same people who helped to create the opiate crisis who continue to profit off the dependency and addiction that they caused - who see Kratom leaf as a threat to their revolving door of profit, pain management and rehabilitation. The stakes couldn't be higher for me personally. If I lost access to whole leaf kratom powder it would massively impact my ability to be the father and community member that I am today. It would mean returning to a life of pain, instability, and suffering -- taking away the single most effective tool I have to manage my physical and mental health. Revelation 22:2 (KJV) "In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."

I am a New Jersey resident writing to support SB 557 as passed by the Senate and to respectfully ask that it is not amended to include natural kratom leaf. Thank you for taking action to address and differentiate synthetic and highly concentrated products from natural leaf Kratom. Targeting those substances is the correct, science-based way to protect public health. This bill aligns with federal recommendations to focus on concentrated 7-OH, while leaving natural leaf alone. Please keep it that way. Thank you for your time and for protecting responsible consumers in New Hampshire. Sincerely,?[Ben Christakis]

My name is Venus Usher. I am not a resident of New Hampshire, but I have close friends and loved ones who live there, and I hope to continue visiting them for many years to come. I am writing in support of SB557 and efforts to establish responsible regulation. For over 17 years, I suffered from severe chronic pain after being harmed by an FDA-approved medication. During that time, I was misdiagnosed, dismissed, and went through unnecessary procedures while living in constant pain without relief. Nearly a decade ago, I found plain leaf kratom tea. It has been the only thing that has consistently helped manage my pain and allowed me to have some quality of life. It has kept me stable, functional, and able to live my life. Because of my experience, I strongly support reasonable regulation, including age limits, labeling requirements, and product safety standards. These protections help ensure that people have access to safe, properly manufactured products. I also have a close friend in New Hampshire who depends on plain leaf kratom just as I do. Knowing that there are efforts to keep products safe and regulated gives me peace of mind for both her well-being and my ability to continue visiting her. Responsible regulation protects consumers while preserving access for people who rely on this plant in their daily lives. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Venus Usher

To the New Hampshire House Committee, My name is Christopher Deaney, and I’ve been a daily consumer of natural kratom tea since 2015. I want to personally thank you for the direction you’re taking with SB 557. Targeting dangerous synthetic and semi-synthetic alkaloid products while leaving the natural kratom leaf alone is the right move. That’s what science supports, and it’s what responsible consumers have been asking for. This isn’t just policy for me, it’s personal. I was hit by a car at 8 years old and have dealt with long-term physical challenges ever since. Natural kratom tea has been a consistent part of my daily routine for years. It helps me stay productive and present in my everyday life. I’m not alone in that. I’ve spoken with countless people whose lives are more stable and manageable because of this plant. What’s causing confusion right now isn’t natural kratom. It’s the rise of highly concentrated, lab-altered products being marketed as “kratom” that do not reflect the traditional leaf. These products are a completely different category and should be treated as such. SB 557 gets that distinction right. I strongly encourage you to keep the bill focused and resist any amendments that would expand it into a ban on natural kratom leaf. That would impact responsible adults while doing nothing to address the real issue. You have an opportunity here to lead with clarity, protect public safety, and preserve access to a natural botanical that has been used responsibly for generations. Thank you for recognizing the difference and for protecting access to natural kratom tea. Respectfully, Christopher Deaney

As a Kratom user for over eight years, I agree with this bill on synthetic and derivatives of great endangering Kratom users like myself, and those looking for alternatives to opioid pain medication due to debilitating medical conditions.

Adolescent brains are uniquely vulnerable to addiction. Starting substance use before age 15 makes someone 4-6 times more likely to develop a substance use disorder. New Hampshire has strong laws protecting kids from tobacco and alcohol, but companies found loopholes, rebranding THC as 'hemp,' selling addictive kratom with no age limits, and disguising vapes as highlighters. They exploit every technicality to keep selling addictive products to children. This is one bill that would close loopholes that allow companies to market and sell addictive and dangerous products to young people.

This bill keeps people and children safe from the harmful effects of Kratom

We need to Protect children and teens from these unregulated substances. Thank you

I, Kristin Demers support SB 557 banning synthetic Kratom products sold in gas stations and very dangerous

I support the regulation of Kratom products. They are harmful to all people and should be regulated. Now the products being sold are dangerously strong and addictive. These products are also marketed to teens and young adults, and their use potentially impacts them for their entire life.