Kratom Ban News: The WHO Decision

If you’re a kratom advocate following up on the latest kratom ban news or research about this ethnobotanical herb from Southeast Asia, you’re likely aware of the ongoing kratom regulation debate that has been taking place for years. In fact, talk of a potential kratom ban worldwide reached its peak early in October 2021, when the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a special expert committee meeting to preview kratom and its potential risks to users. 

Now, I’m sure you’re all wondering, what happened at this meeting? And does it mean kratom got banned? Thankfully, the answer is no. Read on to learn more:

The Critical WHO Meeting

Last year, the World Health Organization announced plans to evaluate kratom’s potential for abuse, dependence, and harm to public health, leading to potential kratom ban news. The WHO’s expert committee on Drug Dependence met between Oct 11-15 in Geneva to assess whether or not Mitragyna speciosa should be added to a growing list of internationally controlled substances. 

This sparked growing concerns of a looming kratom ban among the ethnobotanical community. But, the good news is, kratom advocates around the world can now cheer, as the December 2021 decision has been made following a scientific review. Simply put, the WHO recommended that kratom not be banned internationally. What led to this critical decision, and what does it mean?

The WHO Decision: Kratom Will Not be Banned Internationally

The WHO expert committee on Drug Dependence released their long-awaited kratom ban news report on December 20th and determined that “kratom should not be subject to international control.” This was a huge win for the kratom community and the scientific community alike.

This decision resulted from an extensive review of scientific research by the panel, months of hard work by advocates, and over 80,000 submitted comments by kratom users worldwide. Members of the expert committee voted 11-1 to continue monitoring data on kratom’s health impact over the next two to three years instead of instituting strict controls or banning it entirely. In short, there was “insufficient evidence” warranting a more in-depth critical review of kratom at that point.

What Does This Positive Kratom Ban News Mean?

The WHO expert committee is aware that people worldwide use kratom for their personal well-being and as part of traditional medicine in specific countries. They considered information from traditional use and investigations about the potential properties of kratom to reach this decision. Despite this positive kratom ban news, they recommended that kratom remains under surveillance. 

For kratom users and advocates, this means we still have to be vigilant in this fight. The work to protect kratom is far from done, and we need your help more than ever to ensure more research is done, more legislative wins are had, and to keep kratom on the shelves of your favorite stores. The goal is to focus on ensuring kratom regulation.

Learn More at The Kratom Company

News about a potential kratom ban over the years has often left users with unanswered questions. The good news is, you can now have some peace of mind knowing that kratom won’t be banned internationally. At The Kratom Company, we are committed to providing you with accurate information about this ever-changing landscape. Our blog is a resource for all of your kratom needs, from the latest news updates to in-depth product reviews. Visit our blog today for more information!