Join The
KCAC
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Become Part of the
Kratom Consumer Advisory Council
The KCAC seeks individuals with diverse experiences with leaf kratom to help shape evidence-based policy. Whether your perspective is positive or negative, your voice is essential to our mission of advancing consumer protection and fostering informed dialogue.
What is the Kratom Consumer
Advisory Council (KCAC)?
Formed by the Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) in 2024, the KCAC unites a broad spectrum of voices to guide the conversation around leaf kratom. The council’s crucial role is to bridge the gap between public perception and scientific evidence.
Kratom Consumer Advisory
Council Core Mission
Kratom Consumer Advisory Council Core Mission:
- Promote responsible use of leaf kratom products.
- Shape informed policies that prioritize consumer safety and access.
- Advance scientific understanding of leaf kratom and its effects.
Who We Are
Seeking
The KCAC is built on the principle that diverse perspectives lead to stronger, more effective policy. We welcome individuals who can contribute to a nuanced, evidence-based dialogue.
Ideal candidates include:
- Leaf Kratom Consumers with a wide range of usage experiences.
- Healthcare Professionals who are familiar with leaf kratom and its effects on patients.
- Scientific Researchers studying leaf kratom, its constituent alkaloids, or related botanical substances.
- Policy and Regulatory Experts with a background in dietary supplements or public health.
- Individuals who have faced challenges with leaf kratom use, as your insights underscore the need for caution and responsible regulation.
- Public health advocates and industry stakeholders committed to consumer safety.
- Legal experts specializing in botanical or supplement law.
KCAC Member
Responsibilities
As a member of the KCAC, you will be integral to developing credible, science-backed recommendations and positions. Responsibilities include:
- Policy Development: Participate in drafting and reviewing position statements on key issues such as product labeling, youth access, and quality standards.
- Evidence-Based Analysis: Review and assess scientific literature, research findings, and consumer data to inform council decisions.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Engage in respectful, constructive dialogue during council meetings and contribute to public comment processes.
- Fact-Checking: Help create and review materials that counter unsubstantiated claims and public misinformation with scientific evidence and data.
- Regulatory Guidance: Provide expert input and perspectives on regulatory proposals to help shape fair and effective policies that prioritize responsible consumers.
“Together, we will look for ways to maximize kratom’s potential benefits and minimize the chances of harm for consumers.”
– Dr. C. Michael White, KCAC Chairman
Our Commitment
to Evidence-Based
Dialogue
Dr. White, an internationally respected clinical pharmacologist, leads the KCAC with extensive experience in evidence-based medicine and consensus building. He is joined by council members David Bregger, Dijon Evans, and Clark Groom, who each bring unique experiences to the council.
How Your
Contribution
Will Make an Impact
The insights and analysis provided by KCAC members directly influence the GKC’s policy positions, messaging, and consumer safety initiatives. The council’s work helps create robust, sensible regulations for the leaf kratom industry.
Future Position Statements
Will Guide The Future
The KCAC has already published influential position statements on critical topics, including the proper labeling of products, the clear distinction between natural leaf kratom and synthetic 7-OH products, the importance of product registration, and the need to prevent youth access.
The KCAC demonstrates that diverse stakeholders can find common ground on complex issues to develop meaningful, evidence-based solutions. Join us in shaping a future where consumer access is protected, products are safe, and policy is guided by science.
Future position statements may address critical issues, including:
- Establishing standards for heavy metal testing.
- Defining requirements for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
- Clarifying acceptable vs. unacceptable marketing claims.
- Addressing potential drug interactions and providing clear guidance for consumers and healthcare providers.
- Kratom is not federally regulated in the U.S., leaving its legality up to individual states. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about its potential risks, and there have been discussions about a federal ban in the past.
Apply to Join the KCAC
To apply for a position on the Kratom Consumer Advisory Council, please fill out the form below. We seek individuals committed to evidence-based decision-making, respectful dialogue, and transparent policy development.
Application
Form
Form here
KCAC
Fact Sheet
A comprehensive overview of the Kratom Consumer Advisory Council, its mission, members, and position papers addressing critical kratom industry issues including product registration and consumer safety standards.
File type:
Your Comprehensive Resource Library
Navigate effortlessly between General, Scientific, Legal and Regulatory and Product Safety resources— with just a single click. Join the fight against misinformation by sharing fascinating facts you discover. Simply hit ‘Download’ to receive the knowledge and invite others to explore our rich repository of information!
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2024 Kratom Consumer Survey
This survey review offers key insights into the kratom user base, revealing who they are, why they use kratom, and their perspectives on its health effects. -
The Evolution of Kratom: A Historical Timeline
An infographic tracing kratom’s journey from its traditional origins in Southeast Asia to its current complex legal and political landscape in the United States. -
Not All Kratom Is Equal
An infographic of clear visual guide comparing the potency, history, alkaloid sources, and common product forms of leaf kratom, kratom extract, and synthetic 7. -
The Differences Between Kratom Products
A detailed diagram visual comparison of leaf kratom, extracts, and synthetic “kratom,” highlighting distinctions in their market entry, alkaloid profiles, and appropriate regulatory approaches. -
Kratom Safety, Taxonomy, and Regulation
Provides a general overview of kratom, addressing common confusion between product types and outlining the GKC’s goals for a safe and regulated marketplace.
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2024 FDA Study: Kratom Dosing & Safety Results
A summary of an FDA-commissioned study that found controlled servings of dried leaf kratom were generally well-tolerated and resulted in no serious adverse events. -
FDA Pilot Study: Updates on Kratom Alkaloid Research
A presentation from the FDA detailing updates on its pilot dose-finding study of kratom alkaloids, including study design, preliminary observations, and next steps. -
Scientists’ Statement on 7-OH and MGPI Products
A statement from leading scientists clarifying that products with high amounts of 7-OH and MGPI are synthetic and do not constitute natural kratom. -
Scientific Statement on Kratom Products
An overview by scientists covering the history of kratom use, its current regulatory status, and the scientific understanding of its effects in the United States. -
Comprehensive Report on Substance Use Disorders
A detailed analysis comparing the prevalence, severity, and symptoms of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) associated with kratom, caffeine, alcohol, opioids, and other substances. -
The Science of Leaf Kratom: Psychoactive Effects
This document reviews scientific evidence on leaf kratom’s effects, refuting claims about cognitive impairment and abuse potential while clarifying its atypical opioid profile. -
2024 FDA Pilot Study on Kratom Dose Response
Details of the FDA’s pilot study evaluating the effects, safety, and pharmacokinetics of orally administered botanical kratom in non-dependent, recreational polydrug users. - Show more
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Congressional Letter to the FDA on Kratom
A letter from members of Congress to the FDA expressing concerns about mislabeled kratom products and requesting information on consumer protection measures. -
GKC Letter to FDA on Public Safety Guidance
A letter from the Global Kratom Coalition to the FDA, expressing a desire to collaborate on public safety guidance for kratom products and regulatory approaches. -
Louisiana Voter Poll on Kratom Regulation
This poll assesses public opinion in Louisiana regarding kratom’s legality and regulation, including support for banning synthetic drugs while keeping leaf kratom accessible. -
List of Banned Zip Codes: USA
A data file listing zip codes across the country where the sale, possession, or distribution of kratom is currently illegal. -
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KCAC Position: Registration of Kratom Products
This statement advocates for a public registry of kratom vendors and products to ensure transparency, accountability, and a safer market for consumers. -
GKC Statement on Synthetic 7-OH Products
The GKC clarifies its opposition to synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products, arguing they are not kratom and should be regulated as new drugs, not supplements. -
KCAC Position: Status and Legality of 7-OH Products
This KCAC statement discusses the legal and regulatory status of 7-OH products, arguing they are not “kratom” and require a distinct regulatory approach. - Show more
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The Severity and Prevalence of Addictive Substances
This infographic visually compares Substance Use Disorder (SUD) severity and prevalence across various substances, including kratom, heroin, alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine. -
Comparative Safety Analysis of Kratom
This document provides a comparative risk analysis of kratom versus other legal and illicit substances, using data from the FDA and poison control centers. -
Contaminants in 7-Hydroxy Mitragynine Products Report
A detailed report identifying synthetic alkaloid contaminants found in 7-Hydroxymitragynine products and discussing the serious implications for regulatory oversight and consumer safety. -
Botanical Safety Handbook: Kratom Entry
An entry for Mitragyna speciosa from the American Herbal Products Association’s handbook, providing safety classifications, contraindications, and potential drug interactions for kratom leaf. -
Debunking Myths About “7”: The Facts
A fact sheet refuting misleading claims about “7” (a synthetic substance), arguing that it is not natural kratom, is not safe, and is deceptively marketed. -
In-Depth: Debunking Myths About “7”
A more detailed version of the fact sheet refuting claims about “7,” providing comprehensive evidence that it is a dangerous, unapproved, and illegal synthetic drug. -
KCAC Position: Proper Labeling of Kratom
This statement advocates for the importance of clear, comprehensive labeling on kratom products to ensure consumer safety and outlines essential information that should be included. -
KCAC Position: Kratom Use in Children
This statement outlines concerns about kratom use by minors, highlighting potential adverse events and the issue of products being marketed in ways that appeal to children. -
UCONN Continuing Education: Kratom Course for Pharmacists
An educational program from the UCONN School of Pharmacy designed to inform pharmacists about natural kratom, its effects, and key points for patient education. -
The Fourth Wave of the Opioid Epidemic
This presentation warns of a potential “fourth wave” of the opioid crisis driven by dangerous and addictive synthetic opioid stimulators, arguing they must be banned. -
Fact Check: “Synthetic 7” and the Opioid Crisis
This KCAC statement fact-checks and refutes misleading claims that the sale of “synthetic 7” products has reduced opioid-related deaths, citing a lack of evidence. -
GKC Perfect Label – Kratom Product Label Guidelines
This document from the Global Kratom Coalition provides comprehensive guidelines for labeling kratom products to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance. - Show more
