Please oppose Item# 10.2 :
I'd like to share my story on the impact kratom has had on my life.

 After waking up one day in 2005, paralyzed from my neck down, I was eventually diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, and became a chronic pain patient. For years, I was able to manage my chronic pain with prescription medications, but eventually with more DEA cutbacks and new regulations over the years those were no longer an option for me. I was left to endure living in pain every single second of every single day just like so many other chronic pain patients in the same position. Luckily I discovered whole leaf kratom powder in May of 2019. I've been consuming it responsibly for 6 years and it has granted me a second chance at life! I no longer suffer every day, I can get out of bed and be a mom! I can go to school functions run errands, go to the store, and just live life without suffering. Though I regained mobility I still face many physical limitations, however I'm no longer confined by constant pain. Kratom gave me my life back. My story is just one of many chronic pain patients that have been able to manage their pain with kratom.
 There is a big difference between natural whole-leaf kratom VS the semi-synthetic 7-OH products being marketed as kratom. I’ve been encouraged to see even the FDA has stepped in, not only to educate the public on this distinction, but also to warn about the risks of 7-OH. They’ve made it clear their concern is with 7-OH products, NOT with whole leaf kratom.
I’m asking you to support regulation instead of prohibition and keep natural, whole-leaf kratom legal. We need clear safety standards such as age restrictions, mandatory lab testing, accurate labeling, and limits on 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). These are the kinds of measures that protect public health while preserving the freedom of choice for responsible adults.
There are so many people who are benefiting from whole leaf kratom please don't take that away. Thank you for your time, Jennifer Gillis

My life was headed down hill after two failed lower back surgeries and a diagnosis of chronic pain and fibromyalgia. I was on prescription opioids 25 yrs. At my worst I wore a 100 mcg Fentanyl patch and took three 10/325 hydrocodone per day. I was about to be increased to 125 mcg patches! These patches had to be increased every 3-5 yrs. My Pain Management Dr monitored my health, did random drug tests and pill counts to assure I was not abusing these drugs! I needed someone to care for me on my bad days and they were numerous! Then I discovered Kratom in 2013. I never failed a pill count or drug test, I’ve never had a criminal record, do not do illicit drugs and haven’t even had a speeding or parking ticket in 55 yrs of driving. I do not drink alcohol or do drugs! I was afraid to drive while on prescription opioids for fear of getting in a wreck and receiving a DUI!
I started consuming Kratom along with my fentanyl patches. For the first time since being diagnosed with fibromyalgia my fibromyalgia pain was well managed! None of the numerous prescription medications ever provided relief for fibromyalgia pain! In 2017 I decided on my own to stop all opioids and try Kratom only. Thanks to Kratom I did not suff Once My primary care physician does annual comprehensive lab work. After only four months of pure leaf, unadulterated Kratom my labs improved drastically and have maintained these improvements.
I do not require help! In fact, I cared for my 88 yr old mother for two yrs after she was diagnosed with cancer. I have taken care of my 100% service connected disabled veteran husband who has suffered two brain bleed strokes. My head is clear, my pain is well managed.
My primary care physician, orthopedic surgeon, OB/GYN and dentist all approve of my choice and support my decision to consume pure kratom.
Instead of banning kratom and forcing people into a dangerous black market with zero protections from bad actors adding illegal drugs to Kratom. Push to pass the KCPA or Kratom Consumer Protection Act as written by the American Kratom Association. This act will protect City of Orange residents from tainted Kratom products and dangerous extracts like 7-OH. 7-OH is NOT Kratom! It is a chemical extract. KCPA will provide a specific age limit for legal purchase and consumption AND KCPA will provide law enforcement with clear guidelines when dealing with any Kratom products.
We Kratom consumers do not consume Kratom to get high! Kratom is a distant cousin to coffee. Would you vote to ban coffee? Please follow actual science.
Pure, unadulterated Kratom is not the problem! Regulation is the answer.
You think Kratom is dangerous? Dangerous is banning Kratom for honest citizens. Even the FDA has backed off banning pure unadulterated kratom.
Please do not lump pure GMP, lab tested, unadulterated Kratom in with 7-OH.
Someone is standing to make big money from the ban of kratom. This should be an individual choice and not a money grabbing choice! If Kratom were to have been banned in North Carolina, my health would have suffered a great deal! I was born and grew up in San Bernardino.
At 71 yrs old I should have the right to choose what I consume. Stand for your citizens right to choose pure, unadulterated Kratom. Not for lies and misinformation! Vote to trash this bill and put into law the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Thank you for your time!
Mrs Eadie Rowell.
pavedngold@gmail.com

Hello i am opposing Item # 10.2. A blanket ban on all kratom products will be catastrophic. There are millions of people that uses natural kratom for managing pain, anxiety, or even energy. Kratom comes from the same plant family as the COFFEE that we drink every morning.

According to the OC Public Health Care Information sheet as well as FDA Press Release on July 29, 2025 Synthetic 7oh is dangerous and needs to be banned. According to Secretary Dr. Makary, natural kratom and the naturally occurring traceable amount of 7oh is NOT their target, synthetic bi-product of kratom 7oh is.

However, I am all FOR banning the synthetic 7oh products that are a danger to our communities across the country. Please take a look at the riverside ordinance that was passed very recently and I believe as a kratom consumer, this is the way to go.

Should you have any question, please contact me via email aam2003spd@gmail.com.