Kratom Ban Effective Sept. 30 Users Passionate About Benefits
Jeremy Mercer is passionate about kratom and its benefits. “It saved my life,” he’ll tell you. Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) is a tropical deciduous and evergreen tree in the coffee family (Rubiaceae) native to Southeast Asia, according to www.kratomscience.com. “It is psychoactive and leaves are chewed to uplift mood and to treat health problems.” On Aug. 31, the Drug Enforcement Administration filed a notice of intent to schedule and ban kratom by Sept. 30 — effectively expanding the War on Drugs. Specifically, the DEA is outlawing two compounds found in the herb, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
The letter of intent acknowledges kratom has been used to self-treat chronic pain and withdrawal symptoms from opioid abuse, but repeatedly points out that the herb does not have an approved medical use in the United States.
The DEA intends to ban kratom for two years while they decide the proper regulation classification for it. In the meantime, the herb will be considered a schedule 1 drug alongside heroin, ecstasy, LSD, and marijuana.
Possession of a schedule 1 drug in Missouri is a class C felony and carries a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison and $5,000 in fines. Mercer, who born and raised in Wichita, Kan, is a self-proclaimed addict. He frequented methadone clinics for years — until he found kratom. Even while grappling with the depths of addiction, he knew that God had bigger plans for his life.
“When I was in those methadone clinics, I felt that God didn’t want me there,” Mercer says.
He began “burning” kratom nine months ago.
While living in Joplin, he decided to take a leap of faith and open a shop in McDonald County selling kratom. It wasn’t an easy decision to make and it’s not been a smooth road to travel, but he trusts that God will see him through.
“It’s taken a lot of prayer,” Mercer says. “But if it wasn’t meant to be, it wouldn’t.”
Since opening the doors of Atlas Kratom three months ago, Mercer has faced criticism from the surrounding community, even receiving threats to burn the building.
He stays and perseveres.
”This is helping people,” he says. “It’s been used to fight depression, anxiety, even to help fend off withdrawal symptoms and fight addiction.”
He says that his clientele is varied — ranging from blue-collar to white-collar.
Mercer runs the shop with the
help of his girlfriend, Tiffany Sparks, and his long-time friend, Casey Hartman.
Mercer is quick to remind anyone walking through the door that kratom is not FDA approved and subsequently isn’t sold for human consumption — it is sold as an incense to be burned.
Customers must be 18 years of age to purchase and, if you are uneducated about the herb, you may be turned away.
“If they didn’t come here seeking kratom as medicine, they don’t need it,” Mercer said. “We’re not trying to create recreational users, we’re trying to get kratom to the people that truly benefit from it.”
The herb, which smells similar to tea leaves, is ground into a fine powder.
Medicinal benefits are reported after oral consumption. Effects include pain relief, mood enhancement, stimulation, and mild euphoria. “I have anxiety and depression and I don’t want to go back on the psychotropics,” said one female regular. “I have serious panic attacks. I can take this (kratom) in the morning and make it through the day without any attacks. With prescriptions, I have to take them three times a day and I spend most of my time in bed.” Sharing her testimony, she’s on-the-verge of tears.
“If they would legalize this permanently, I would never take another pill,” regular customer Richard Burradell said. Burradell has chronic back pain for which he receives disability and a hefty dose of prescription pain killers.
At this time Mercer and his crew are prepared to close up shop on Friday. Unless something drastically changes in Congress between now and then, they have no choice.
Needless to say there will be huge sales on the product Thursday, Sept. 29.
Atlas Kratom is at 39 Palomino Lane in Jane. They are open through Thursday from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Contact the business at 417-396-1487.
Bible study is also held at the location at 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.