ANALYSIS/OPINION:

Obliged to continue a discussion on the botanical kratom that I began on Tuesday, let us begin.

In a free society such as ours in the United States, people have choices. Indeed, our inalienable rights as well as those granted by local, state and federal laws are sought by U.S. immigrants and other peoples the world over.

Self-medication is one such inalienable right.

Many of you who use kratom said in your emails you do so because legal pharmaceuticals 1) made you feel worse, 2) did not treat your medical problem(s) and 3) got you addicted to other drugs.

Some of you also advocated against a proposed U.S. ban by the Drug Enforcement Administration that would take effect this month.

I understand your position and you are free to advocate as you please — even when criticizing me in the process.

Yet, people unfamiliar with kratom, which is derived from the leaves of a tree grown in Southeast Asia, have the right to know that kratom is not a healthy option for everyone.

An online kratom vendor spells out as much on its own website. Says Kratomcrazy.com:

Under a section labeled “Side effects”: “There are reports on the known Risks of Kratom and side effects of Kratom, including excessive sweating, itchy skin, constipation, appetite loss, nausea, and a spike in urine output. In some cases, its users have experienced seizure symptoms that are severe enough for a visit to the emergency room or enough to require a type of medical intervention. There have also been some reports of suicides that may have been partial as a result of kratom drug abuse.”

Under a section labeled “Final Word”: Kratom remains legal to possess, use, sell, and purchase in most of the U.S. states, however, law enforcers are brewing some legislation in controlling the sale and consumption of kratom. Nonetheless, kratom could be addictive and dangerous when consumed on it’s (sic) o[w]n or with other drugs.”

A lot of iffy situations.

TV pharmaceutical ads are loaded with side effects and other harmful issues because the medications (drugs) they push are federally regulated.

Denver health officials announced Tuesday that the Mile High City is banning kratom sales.

“Kratom contains Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, and is sold in powder, plant, liquids, gums, pills and as a patch. The DEA’s classification of these chemicals as Schedule I controlled substances includes synthetic versions of kratom in addition to kratom derived from the plant itself.

“Kratom is often marketed for non-consumptive use, such as for air freshening; however it is widely consumed as a legal alternative to controlled substances due to its purported ability to produce opioid-like effects.

“According to the DEA, kratom has a high potential for abuse, has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and has a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.”

By the way, the Denver Department of Environmental Health referred to kratom as “an herbal drug made from the leaf of a tree grown in Southeast Asia.”

Kratomcrazy.com called it a drug, too.

Those are facts.

That’s not my opinion.

Thank you for making me aware of yours.