⚡ The Bill Died – But We Can Still Win
A bill that would have banned natural kratom leaf in North Carolina died in the House. The kratom industry lobbied hard to kill it. But that doesn't mean we give up.
🔥 New strategy: We are now asking House members to add kratom as a Schedule IV controlled substance – either through an amendment to a pending bill or by introducing new standalone legislation. Schedule IV is the appropriate classification for drugs with abuse potential and no accepted medical use.
The industry wants you to think the fight is over. It's not. Your representative needs to hear from you now. Tell them: Schedule kratom as IV. No more gas‑station opioids.
📜 Why Kratom Must Be Scheduled
- It's an opioid. Mitragynine is a partial mu‑opioid agonist – same mechanism as morphine, oxycodone, and heroin.
- It causes addiction and withdrawal. Thousands report severe withdrawal: anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, diarrhea.
- It's contaminated. Independent labs have found lead (up to 1 µg/g) and ethanol (15‑16%) in top-selling brands.
- It's killing people. CDC's SUDORS database shows hundreds of overdose deaths with mitragynine detected.
- No medical use. The FDA has rejected every attempt to approve kratom for any condition.
📢 Schedule IV is the right tool. It allows for criminal penalties for sale and possession, sends a clear public health message, and gives law enforcement the ability to remove kratom from stores.
📧 Email Template (Copy & Paste)
Subject: Schedule kratom as a Schedule IV substance in NC
"Dear Representative [NAME],
I am a constituent in [CITY/DISTRICT]. I am writing to ask you to take action to schedule kratom as a Schedule IV controlled substance in North Carolina.
Kratom is an unregulated opioid sold in gas stations and vape shops. Independent lab tests have found lead and high levels of alcohol in popular brands. It causes addiction, withdrawal, and has been linked to overdose deaths.
The previous kratom ban bill died, but the danger remains. Please offer an amendment to add kratom to Schedule IV in any relevant legislation, or introduce a new standalone bill.
Thank you for protecting North Carolina families."
📞 Phone Script (30 Seconds)
Script:
"Hello, my name is [NAME] from [CITY]. I'm calling to ask Representative [NAME] to schedule kratom as a Schedule IV substance in North Carolina. Kratom is an unregulated opioid sold in gas stations, containing lead and alcohol. Please support an amendment or a new bill to ban it. Thank you."
📝 How to Submit a Request
Email or call your representative using the contacts below. Keep your message short and clear. Structure:
- Your name, city, district.
- State your request: "Add kratom to Schedule IV."
- Explain why: opioid agonist, lead contamination, ethanol, addiction, deaths.
- End with a clear ask: "Please offer an amendment or introduce a new bill."
Attach evidence from our Evidence page (lead reports, ethanol findings, CDC death data).
📬 Contact All North Carolina House Members
Email and call. The kratom lobby is counting on silence. Prove them wrong.
📞 Call after emailing. Aides track calls. A 30‑second conversation matters more than an email.
⚡ Don't Let the Industry Win – Schedule Kratom Now
The kratom lobby killed one bill. They won't stop. But neither will we.
Contact your House representative today. Demand that kratom be added to Schedule IV – by amendment or new bill. No more half‑measures.