Quick recap
The meeting focused on upcoming regulatory hearings and discussions about the challenges facing the kratom industry, including challenges with proper labeling, product quality, and competition from synthetic alternatives. The group shared personal experiences with kratom use and dosing, while discussing the need for clearer regulations and the potential impact of upcoming hemp regulations. They also explored various natural products and their effectiveness, including CBD and kratom tinctures, while emphasizing the importance of advocacy and public relations efforts to combat kratom bans.
Summary
CJ's Law Hearing Attendance
Christopher informed Venus about a hearing for CJ's Law scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. in Trenton, which will not allow for remote participation or comments. He plans to attend and testify, and Venus expressed her intention to join him, pending confirmation of transportation. Christopher mentioned that Dr. Heidi and others would also be present, and Venus agreed to confirm her attendance after checking with Eddie.
Kratom Industry Regulatory Challenges
Christopher and Venus discussed their experiences with regulatory hearings and the challenges they face in the kratom industry. They expressed frustration with the current state of the industry, where companies that properly label and package their products are not getting the recognition they deserve. Christopher mentioned he needs to prepare for an upcoming hearing in New Jersey and is seeking advice on what to present. They also talked about the lack of support for smaller, ethical companies in the industry compared to larger, less transparent ones.
Kratom Customer Inquiries and Legal Challenges
Christopher and Venus discussed the challenges of managing customer inquiries about Kratom products, including calls questioning product strength and comparisons to competitors. They considered organizing a segment with Holly and Emily to share the most unusual customer inquiries over the years. Paul joined later, and the conversation shifted to a legal case involving a young man who died, with underlying health conditions and multiple drugs found in his system. Christopher expressed frustration that Kratom was being unfairly blamed for the death, despite the presence of other substances and health issues.
Kratom Adulteration and Advocacy Challenges
Christopher and Paul discussed the issues with pseudoindoxyl and other adulterants in kratom products, emphasizing the need to distinguish between natural kratom and synthetic or highly concentrated extracts. Christopher planned to address these concerns at an upcoming meeting, highlighting the importance of proper labeling and marketing of natural kratom. They also touched on the challenges of fundraising for advocacy groups and the need for collaboration to strengthen their efforts.
Kratom Product Verification Challenges
The group discussed technical issues with video conferencing and screen sharing. Christopher expressed frustration about the lack of natural kratom products and shared his commitment to testing and verifying the ingredients of his products. The conversation touched on the challenges of finding reliable kratom products and the importance of knowing what is in them. Venus shared her husband's refusal to accept job offers in states where kratom is illegal, highlighting the personal impact of kratom regulations.
Kratom Extracts and Transition Strategies
Christopher shared his experience with Kratom extracts, explaining how he transitioned from selling plain leaf products to offering extracts in response to customer needs. He discussed his plans to create a package bundle for users looking to step down from synthetic Kratom products. Venus and Paul agreed that such a bundle would be beneficial for users transitioning from extracts to plain leaf Kratom. The group also discussed the importance of grassroots advocacy and public relations efforts in the past, emphasizing the need to reengage with these strategies to combat Kratom bans.
Kratom Industry Challenges and Threats
Christopher shared his concerns about the kratom industry, highlighting threats against individuals like Ryan Nittel from F45 who spoke out against 70H. He emphasized the financial stakes involved, noting that 70H generates around $9 billion annually, which makes it a lucrative target for those seeking to ban it. Christopher also discussed the challenges of competing with pharmaceutical drugs, as botanical kratom is perceived differently in the market. The conversation touched on the dynamics of trade shows, the rapid price drops in the industry, and the changing landscape of kratom products.
Kratom Regulation and Product Updates
Christopher and Paul discussed the challenges of kratom regulation and labeling, particularly the confusion caused by trace amounts of 7-OH and the need for clearer explanations of LOQ (Limit of Quantification). Christopher shared his experience with high-quality kratom extracts and tinctures, including Todd's products, which he praised for their purity and effectiveness. Twinkle mentioned using kratom tinctures to help her dog with energy and pain, and Christopher confirmed the benefits of the tincture formulation. Christopher also mentioned plans to pick up 100 bottles each of purified kratom capsules and NitroTronic, with the products expected to be back in stock after testing in about a month.
Kratom Pet Testing and Health
Christopher shared his plan to test Purify Kratom capsules on his 14-year-old dog, who has been benefiting from Mitrotonic and purified kratom, to compare the effects. Twinkle and Venus discussed their experiences with weight management and joint pain, highlighting the impact of weight on their health and the benefits of dietary changes like keto. Christopher and Venus also touched on withdrawal symptoms from Kratom, with Venus noting a slight increase in yawning as a reminder to take her dose.
Kratom Dosing and Consumption Experiences
The group discussed their personal experiences with Kratom dosing and consumption methods. Christopher shared that he takes Kratom before bed to help with sleep and has developed a routine of using the same scoop since 2017, while Venus noted she sometimes forgets to take her dose, leading to increased pain. Twinkle mentioned her previous method of taking 7.5-8 grams in one hour, mixed in a tablespoon at a time. The conversation concluded with a discussion about the consistency of Kratom powder and the challenges of dealing with spills and stains.
Kratom Advocacy and Regulation Challenges
Christopher shared his experience with his dog's longevity, attributing it to a combination of factors including Kratom, filtered water, and real food. The group discussed the need for unity among advocacy organizations and the challenges posed by synthetic Kratom alternatives. Paul and Christopher expressed concerns about the FDA's approach to Kratom regulation and the potential for synthetic alternatives to fill the gap in the market.
Kratom Safety and Regulation Debate
Christopher, Twinkle, and Paul discussed the safety and regulation of Kratom, particularly focusing on 7-OH. They shared personal experiences with Kratom use, noting that while it may be safe at lower doses, higher doses could potentially be addictive and harmful. They expressed concerns about the lack of regulation and the potential for Kratom to be sold on the black market if banned. The group also touched on the possibility of Big Pharma developing a prescription version of 7-OH and the need for alternative pain management options.
CBD Product Regulations and Innovations
The group discussed various natural products, with Christopher sharing his experience working with Dr. Mewa Singh, who holds patents for water-soluble CBD and refuses to add drugs to products, despite being approached by many companies. Twinkle expressed interest in trying CBD products again, noting the difference in effectiveness between reputable brands and cheaper options. The conversation also touched on the upcoming changes to hemp regulations, with Christopher expressing concern about big cannabis companies potentially influencing these changes to eliminate Delta 8s and other products.