Source: HART
Excerpt:
Consumer response exceeds the number of comments submitted during the federal government’s 2016 effort to ban traditional kratom
Washington, DC — The Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) announced today that more than 24,300 Americans have submitted public comments urging the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reject the proposed temporary Schedule I classification of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7- OH).
The public response has already surpassed the number of comments submitted during the federal government’s effort to schedule traditional kratom in 2016, demonstrating the significant concern among consumers over preserving access to legal, regulated alternatives.
“This level of public engagement sends a clear message,” said Jeff Smith, Ph.D., Executive Director of HART. “More Americans have spoken out against banning 7-OH than participated during the federal government’s attempt to prohibit traditional kratom nearly a decade ago. Consumers are demanding that policymakers follow the science, not fear, and they deserve to have their voices heard.”
The unprecedented response comes after the DEA announced its intent to temporarily place 7- OH and related substances into Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act.
HART is encouraging all consumers, researchers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to continue participating in the federal comment process before the deadline.
For nearly a year, HART has repeatedly asked federal agencies to identify the scientific evidence supporting emergency scheduling. The organization maintains that the government has not demonstrated the type of imminent public health threat required for Schedule I classification.
“More than 24,000 Americans have taken the time to tell their government that access to 7-OH has helped them manage pain, return to work, care for their families, and improve their quality of life,” Smith said. “When tens of thousands of citizens participate in the rulemaking process, policymakers have a responsibility to carefully consider those voices.”
HART continues to argue that the available evidence does not support prohibition.
Smith added, “there have been no confirmed deaths attributed solely to 7-OH, and the government’s own data has failed to demonstrate the public health emergency used to justify this extraordinary action. Restricting consumer choice without clear scientific evidence risks pushing Americans toward less transparent and potentially more dangerous alternatives.”
The organization also noted that the growing public response reflects increasing skepticism about efforts to prohibit products without robust scientific justification.
“Americans are asking for a healthcare system that puts evidence before politics and transparency before speculation,” Smith said. “The overwhelming response to this proposal demonstrates that consumers want sensible regulation, not prohibition.”
About the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART)
The Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) is a nonprofit policy organization dedicated to advancing safe, evidence-based access to natural alternatives for recovery and wellness. HART advocates for scientific transparency, consumer safety, and regulatory accountability in emerging health and wellness industries.