The Proposed Indonesia Kratom ban 

In recent developments, the enjoyed supply of Indonesian kratom, aka "Indo Kratom," has come under threat following the announcement of a forthcoming kratom ban in Indonesia. This realization deals a heavy blow to the growing international kratom community and the products' fast-rising demand in the United States. This international decision baffles many as there is revelation of our very own authorities (the Food and Drug Administration) having a hand in this move. We attempt to divulge the contents of the ban and its potential harm to the people who depend on Kratom.

What is Indonesian Kratom?

Mitragyna Speciosa, Indonesian kratom, has its origins traced back to the southwest Asia ranges. From these native ranges, the ethnobotanical has quickly become the cradle of Indonesia's global cash crop market. It is passionately grown by the indigenous peoples in this region who use it primarily as a medicinal plant. It has only gained international recognition recently after the international community learned of its wide range of properties and uses.

Indo Kratom has proved to be a valuable alternative to palm oil and heavy logging projects to the locals. Their previous economic activities put a strain on the existing vegetation and animal life. With the increase in these activities, the natives of this region were forced to endure disruptive events, with most of them losing their homes and property. Where farmers used to seek a living harvesting palm oil and rubber, Kratom has become the new king of cash crops. The rising demand for Indonesian Kratom means it fetches Indonesian kratom farmers a higher price than other commodities. As a result, many farmers who were scraping by harvesting latex and palm oil have made the switch to Kratom. Growers are exporting hundreds of tons of Kratom each month as the world comes to terms with the threat to indigenous life and climate change. A kratom ban at this point in time would spell doom for many people.

Unexpected blow.

A few weeks back, there was good news from the delegation of key Kratom stakeholders from the US who had visited Indonesia. They found out that there would be no threat to the Kratom industry as the country would ensure the implementation of regulations to govern the production and use of Kratom locally. This was a welcome respite as it meant the Kratom ban was now a forgotten thing. It played well into the favor of kratom spear headers all over the world.

The news of a full ban on Kratom possession and export would be both a shocker and a deep blow to many consumers and businesses alike. The ban would essentially cut off a vital supply chain for American kratom companies and consumers. Such unexpected news would leave Kratom advocates around the world with mixed feelings and anxiety regarding the fate of Indonesian Kratom.

The FDA vs. Kratom

The involvement of the Food and Drug Administration in the Indonesian Kratom ban has been subject to wide speculation. Allegations that it contacted the Indonesian authorities to push for the ban have received acute denials from them. In their defense, they explained that the communication spoken of between them and the Indonesian authorities was to give them a bearing on the impending Kratom ban. As the validity of the arguments from both sides is still debatable, a full Kratom ban, however severe its implications, would be precisely what the FDA wants at the moment.

Kratom has been in the crosshairs of federal regulators in the US for years under its commissioner, Scott Gottlieb. Now, the booming business surrounding it has come under threat from Indonesian authorities. On the other side of the issue, the FDA has maintained a firm stance that Kratom is not a safe or effective treatment for pain, opioid dependence, or any of the other health conditions its advocates say it treats. It has vehemently pushed for the classification of Kratom as a controlled substance through its increasingly punitive regulations. While the current circumstances prohibit any substantial research into disproving its allegations, the evidently limited research fuels the FDA's full push for Kratom ban in the US.

What the ban means for Indonesians.

Currently, Indonesian authorities have heavily regulated the use and production of Kratom locally. The proposed ban, which is still under consideration, would make illegal any possession of and export of Indonesian Kratom. This ban would deny the public any access to Kratom by labeling it as an illegal narcotic. While the FDA's involvement in the decision making isn't apparent, the indications all show it had a part to play.

The news of the looming ban has already started a ripple effect. Indonesian kratom prices have suffered a significant drop, with producers hurrying off to dump their stock before the ban takes effect. These farmers, most of whom have only recently made a move over to Kratom farming from the tedious yet economically unviable latex will be the hardest hit by the ban.

Locally opposed.

At the moment, the proposed ban on Indonesian Kratom has received contrasting opinions from legislators in the country. Lawmakers have termed the move as detrimental to the growth of the country's economy, not to mention a step in the wrong direction as it would affect the livelihoods of many farmers who depend on the crop. The decision to implement the ban has come out as ill-informed and premature from sentiments within the scientific community.

Amidst the fear and uncertainty, the authorities have stated that the ban is set for enactment in 2024. While this may seem a reasonable amount of time for the Indonesian farmers dependent on Kratom to profitably adopt new economic practices to sustain their livelihoods, it is not. The community of kratom producers and consumers worldwide hopes that by the time the bill is enacted. These farmers would have successfully made the transition.

Local regents have widely opposed the ban and termed the “latex to kratom” move by their people as a breakthrough from their former state of life both socially and economically. They have voiced their displeasure with the proposal of the ban terming it as inconsiderate and detrimental. With the rising uproar following the announcement of the ban, affected authorities will eventually be forced to engage in the tussle.

How you can help

In order to ensure the protection and assurance of a steady supply of Indonesia Kratom now and in the coming future, all people of the kratom community must join together with the producers and users of Indonesia kratom to safeguard a safe and reliable Kratom market. While some may be tempted to dismiss this crisis as being far away, it is right at our doorsteps.

We can all play our part in this by:

• Building and contributing to the existing body of knowledge on the forms of Kratom and their benefits
• Buying and selling the legal and approved forms of Kratom in our states. All illegal, contaminated, and adulterated forms of Kratom should be shunned
• Using our existing knowledge to make informed decisions regarding our selection of Kratom vendors, and only buying legally approved Kratom from sellers known to respect Kratom culture
• Standing together with Indonesia kratom farmers and offer credible opinions regarding measures to stop all threats to Kratom
• Keeping up-to-date with all legislative decisions in our regions regarding the production and use of forms of Kratom. Support all efforts aimed at protecting Kratom
• Working with local authorities and representatives of the American Kratom Association (AKA) near you. Join them in their fight and show your mark!
• Mobilizing and advocating other people to support measures like the Kratom Consumer Protection Act that will encompass measures to shield producers and consumers from such measures as the Kratom ban
• Consulting with the abundant knowledge on Kratom and its effects through online platforms and local documentations

What shall we do?

As you do your part, we at Krabot make it our mandate and guarantee to ensure that safe, high grade, legal Kratom is always available to our customers. We will work hand-in-hand with the stakeholders and local communities to promote the production and supply of safe Kratom.