WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2018--Kratom, the natural, coffee-like herb associated with better health and well-being, faces many challenges today and it has its best shot at survival if the community tones down the “doomsday rhetoric” and starts working in a more coordinated way to ensure the survival of the botanical, according to the Kratom Trade Association (KTA), which is the only registered trade group representing kratom manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

ADVERTISEMENT

Today, KTA outlined several steps that it is taking to help ensure that calmer heads prevail, thereby ensuring the continued legality and availability of kratom. As the voice of the kratom business community, KTA is uniquely positioned to play a role with regulators and elected officials that a consumer group typically does not. KTA presents itself in a level-headed professional manner so that it is taken seriously and can get things done. KTA is currently working with other kratom groups to boost cooperative efforts and acknowledges the importance of their efforts.

But KTA is concerned that cooperation is only part of what needs to improve.

KTA organizer Eduardo Brambila said: “Keeping people whipped up into a constant state of hysteria about kratom is short-sighted when it comes to dealing productively with state regulatory bodies, federal agencies, Capitol Hill offices, and the news media.You can only tell people the sky is falling and that everyone is out to get you so many times before they tune you out and stop taking you seriously.Working with other organizations out there, KTA wants to bring together the kratom community so that we can elevate the kratom discussion and get the job done. We are 100 percent committed to cooperation and will take the lead anywhere we can in the process to get the needed results.”

Brambila added: “The notion that kratom could be made illegal in the short term is such a remote possibility that it is irresponsible to terrorize consumers and industry players.KTA will not engage in tactics of this sort and we call on kratom advocates to tone down the rhetoric and turn up the cooperation.We need to focus on working together to support kratom.That is where our time, efforts and resources should be concentrated.The-end-is-nigh messages are dangerous because they can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.At some point, all they do is embolden anti-kratom forces to act because they think we actually do believe that we are doomed, and the fight is over.In fact, just the reverse is true and that needs to be our message!”

Brambila outlined the following areas where KTA can help advance kratom cooperation:

In addition to the above, Brambila noted that KTA is an active participant and financial supporter of kratom community efforts, including periodic industry coordination calls, a recent Capitol Hill briefing event, and professional legal support available to members.

ABOUT THE KRATOM TRADE ASSOCIATION

The Kratom Trade Association is dedicated to the safe and responsible use of kratom botanical products in the U.S. KTA is committed to regulatory compliance and will develop and promote use of best practices and quality standards for the industry. KTA will support kratom research initiatives and conduct advocacy efforts to educate policy makers and the public about the benefits of kratom, as well as dispelling common misconceptions. Visit for more information.

View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181212005891/en/

CONTACT: Alex Frank

for the Kratom Trade Association

(703) 276-3264 orafrank@hastingsgroup.com

KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT CONGRESSIONAL NEWS/VIEWS PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING PUBLIC POLICY WHITE HOUSE/FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CHEMICALS/PLASTICS NATURAL RESOURCES OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES GENERAL HEALTH

SOURCE: Kratom Trade Association

Copyright Business Wire 2018.

PUB: 12/12/2018 05:27 PM/DISC: 12/12/2018 05:27 PM

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181212005891/en