Government Operations on September 21, 2026
2026-09-21

[0:42] GOOD AFTERNOON.
[0:43] FOR THE RECORD MY NAME IS
[0:44] GABRIELLE CLUB AS A DISTRICT
[0:45] ONE COUNCILOR AND I'M THE CHAIR
[0:47] OF THE BOSTON CITY
[0:47] COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT
[0:48] OPERATIONS.
[0:50] TODAY IS SEPTEMBER 21ST 2026.
[0:53] THE EXACT TIME IS 209.
[0:55] THIS HEARING IS BEING RECORDED.
[0:56] IT IS ALSO BEING LIVE STREAMED
[0:59] AT BOSTON.GOV/CITY COUNCIL DASH
[1:01] TV AND BROADCAST ON XFINITY
[1:03] CHANNEL EIGHT, RCN CHANNEL 82
[1:05] AND FIOS CHANNEL 964.
[1:08] WRITTEN COMMENTS MAY BE SENT TO
[1:09] THE COMMITTEE EMAIL AT
[1:12] CARGO@BOSTON.GOV AND WILL BE
[1:13] MADE A PART OF THE RECORD AND
[1:14] AVAILABLE TO ALL COUNCILORS.
[1:15] WE HAVE GOTTEN CONSIDERABLE
[1:16] AMOUNT OF PUBLIC TESTIMONY
[1:17] ALREADY.
[1:18] IT'S ALL IN THIS BLUE BINDER SO
[1:19] PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTINUE TO
[1:21] SEND THOSE TO THAT EMAIL.
[1:22] PUBLIC TESTIMONY WILL BE TAKEN
[1:24] AT THE END OF THIS HEARING.
[1:26] INDIVIDUALS WILL BE CALLED ON
[1:27] IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY
[1:28] SIGNED UP.
[1:28] WE'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO
[1:29] TESTIFY.
[1:30] IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN
[1:31] TESTIFYING IN PERSON, PLEASE
[1:32] ADD YOUR NAME TO THE SIGN UP
[1:33] SHEET NEAR THE ENTRANCE OF THE
[1:35] CHAMBER.
[1:35] IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO TESTIFY
[1:37] VIRTUALLY, PLEASE EMAIL OUR
[1:38] CENTRAL STAFF LIAISON MEGAN AT
[1:41] AMIGA ENCORE.
[1:43] ARE YOU GOOD?
[1:45] OH, MA TIM AT BOSTON DOT GO FOR
[1:49] THE LINK.
[1:50] ANYONE IN YOUR NAME WILL BE
[1:52] ADDED TO THE LIST.
[1:53] TODAY'S HEARING IS ON DOCKET
[1:54] 141 FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
[1:56] CHAPTER 16 OF THE CITY
[1:59] CODE ORDINANCES PROHIBITING THE
[2:00] SALE AND USE OF SYNTHETIC.
[2:03] AND WE NEED HELP ON THIS ONE.
[2:04] YEAH.
[2:05] GET.
[2:09] DOES ANYBODY.
[2:10] IN MY JANINE.
[2:13] AND SEVEN HYDRO.
[2:17] HYDROXY HYDROXY MATAJI LOVE IT
[2:20] .
[2:22] 7-0H AND OTHER DANGEROUS
[2:23] CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS I SHOULD
[2:24] HAVE PRACTICED THAT BEFOREHAND.
[2:26] THIS MATTER WAS SPONSORED BY
[2:27] COUNCILORS JOHN FITZGERALD AND
[2:28] ED FLYNN AND WAS REFERRED TO
[2:29] THE COMMITTEE ON JULY 22ND
[2:31] 2026.
[2:32] TODAY I'M JOINED BY MY
[2:33] COLLEAGUES IN ORDER OF ARRIVAL
[2:35] COUNCILOR CULPEPER,
[2:36] COUNCILOR FLYNN AND
[2:37] COUNCILOR FITZGERALD.
[2:38] I WILL NOW PASS THE FLOOR OVER
[2:41] TO COUNCILOR FITZGERALD WHO IS
[2:42] THE LEAD CO-SPONSOR.
[2:43] YOU NOW HAVE THE FLOOR.
[2:45] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
[2:46] MUCH APPRECIATED.
[2:47] UH, AND THANK YOU, MISS MCCANN
[2:49] FOR BEING HERE TODAY WITH US AS
[2:50] WELL FROM THE ADMINISTRATION.
[2:51] UH, JUST FOR THE OPENING.
[2:53] SAY I WANT TO SAY THAT THIS WAS
[2:54] SOMETHING OUR OFFICE STARTED
[2:55] LOOKING AT BACK IN THE FALL.
[2:56] UH, AND IT WAS TO BAN, UH, THE
[2:59] SYNTHETIC USE OF 700, UH,
[3:02] RIGHT.
[3:02] WHICH IS THAT I KNOW THERE IS A
[3:04] DIFFERENCE AND JUST WANT TO
[3:05] CLARIFY FOR SOME FOLKS BETWEEN
[3:06] THE ACTUAL WHOLE LEAF OF KRATOM
[3:10] UH, AND THE SYNTHETIC UH
[3:12] COMPOUND UH ARGININE AND 708 UH
[3:15] THAT IS SOLD IN UH STORES, GAS
[3:17] STATIONS ETC. IN OUR CITY AS WE
[3:20] SPEAK.
[3:20] AND SO UM, UH THIS IS FOCUSING
[3:24] ON THE SYNTHETIC USE OF BAN
[3:26] OF THE SYNTHETIC USE.
[3:27] UM, WE KNOW THE GOVERNOR JUST
[3:29] APPLIED A, UH A YEAR LONG BAN I
[3:32] THINK IT WAS ON AUGUST 27TH IF
[3:34] I'M NOT MISTAKEN.
[3:35] UM, AND SO WE'RE LOOKING TO
[3:38] AUGUST 27TH OF 2027 WHERE THAT
[3:39] WOULD BE UP.
[3:41] UM, HOWEVER, KNOWING THAT THERE
[3:42] WAS A BAN AND I UNDERSTAND, UM,
[3:44] THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME LEGAL
[3:46] ACTIONS BEING TAKEN BECAUSE
[3:48] THAT BAN WAS ON THE WHOLE LEAF
[3:50] AS WELL AS THE SYNTHETIC
[3:51] COMPOUND.
[3:53] UM, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO
[3:55] HERE IS MAKE SURE THE REAL
[3:56] DEADLY STUFF THAT WE'RE SEEING
[3:58] ON THE STREETS IS THE SYNTHETIC
[3:59] COMPOUND, UH, VERY SIMILAR TO
[4:02] K2 OR SPICE, WHICH WAS THE
[4:03] SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA THAT WE HAD
[4:05] UH, MAYBE A LITTLE OVER A
[4:06] DECADE AGO.
[4:07] UH, AND LOOKING TO FOLLOW THE
[4:08] SAME FOOTPRINT THERE OR THE
[4:10] SAME BLUEPRINT, IF YOU WILL.
[4:12] UM, IN TAKING ACTIONS AS WE DID
[4:15] VERSUS K2 IN SPACE.
[4:16] SO, UM, I STILL WANTED TO HAVE
[4:18] THIS BECAUSE I THINK, UH,
[4:19] KNOWING WITH SOME LEGAL ACTION
[4:21] HAPPENING AT THE STATE WE'RE
[4:23] NOT SURE HOW THAT AFFECTS
[4:25] MUNICIPALITIES THAT HAVE A
[4:26] SIMILAR, UH, LAW ALREADY ON THE
[4:28] BOOKS OR ABOUT TO PUT ONE IN AS
[4:31] THE CITY OF BOSTON HOPES TO UM
[4:34] AND UH, POTENTIALLY LOOKING AT
[4:36] OTHER OPTIONS OF MAYBE SAYING
[4:37] AT THE END OF THIS ONE YEAR BAN
[4:39] OUR ORDINANCE WOULD GO INTO
[4:40] EFFECT.
[4:41] SO HERE IT IS.
[4:42] TALK ABOUT UM, YOU KNOW, WHAT
[4:44] IT IS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.
[4:46] SOME OF THE HURDLES THAT WE
[4:47] HAVE TO FACE NOW.
[4:48] UH, GIVEN AN ADMINISTRATIVE
[4:50] APPROACH AND THEN UM, SEEING IF
[4:52] THERE'S A WAY TO WORK IT AROUND
[4:53] WHERE WE CAN HAVE THIS STUFF
[4:55] COME INTO PLACE.
[4:55] UH, WHEN OTHER BANDS, UH, MAY
[4:58] EXPIRE.
[4:59] UM, AND SO WITH THAT, I LOOK
[5:00] FORWARD TO THE CONVERSATION AND
[5:02] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
[5:02] THANK YOU,
[5:04] COUNCILOR FITZGERALD.
[5:04] COUNCILOR FLYNN.
[5:05] THANK YOU, COUNCIL ZAPATA AND
[5:08] THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS
[5:10] IMPORTANT HEARING.
[5:12] THANK YOU, COUNCILOR FITZGERALD
[5:15] AS WELL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AS
[5:18] A FORMER PROBATION OFFICER.
[5:20] UM, AT SUFFOLK SUPERIOR COURT I
[5:22] WORK WITH PEOPLE ON PROBATION
[5:24] THAT WERE DEALING WITH
[5:26] SUBSTANCE USE CHALLENGES AND IT
[5:29] WAS ALWAYS MY PRIORITY TO GET
[5:31] THEM THE TREATMENT THAT THEY
[5:33] NEEDED AND TO PREVENT PEOPLE
[5:35] FROM HOPEFULLY USING USING
[5:38] ILLEGAL DRUGS AS WELL.
[5:40] SOMETHING I'M STILL COMMITTED
[5:41] TO AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.
[5:43] EVEN MORE SO.
[5:46] I BELIEVE.
[5:47] IT'S CRITICAL TO PROHIBIT
[5:49] THE SALE OF UNADULTERATED
[5:52] KRATOM PRODUCTS, ESPECIALLY 21
[5:55] UNDER 21 AND RESTRICT PACKAGING
[6:00] MARKETING ADVERTISING DESIGNED
[6:02] TO APPEAL TO CHILDREN.
[6:05] I THINK WE NEED TO DO
[6:06] EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SUPPORT
[6:08] YOUNG PEOPLE, GIVE THEM OPTIONS
[6:11] OF.
[6:17] ON HOW HOW NOT TO GET ENGAGED
[6:19] IN ILLEGAL DRUGS AND HOW TO
[6:21] LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE A HEALTHY
[6:23] LIFESTYLE WHETHER THEY'RE
[6:24] WHETHER IT'S THROUGH SPORTS OR
[6:27] ACADEMICS OR OR VARIOUS
[6:29] PROGRAMS.
[6:29] BUT I DO THINK WE HAVE TO
[6:32] PROVIDE SOME VERTICAL
[6:33] LEADERSHIP IN THIS CITY ON THIS
[6:35] ISSUE.
[6:36] RIGHT NOW IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S
[6:39] UNREGULATED AND I DO THINK
[6:40] THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME
[6:41] REGULATION OVER THESE PRODUCTS
[6:44] TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING
[6:46] RESIDENTS WITH HEALTHY AND SAFE
[6:48] ENVIRONMENTS.
[6:48] THANK YOU.
[6:49] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
[6:50] THANK YOU, COUNCILOR CULPEPPER.
[6:54] GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.
[6:56] I WANT TO THANK COUNCILOR CHAIR
[6:58] KALINA.
[7:00] THAT IS A PART OF HOLDING THIS
[7:01] HEARING.
[7:02] I WANT TO THANK
[7:03] COUNCILOR FITZGERALD BRINGING
[7:05] THIS DOCKET FORWARD AND
[7:06] BEGINNING AN IMPORTANT
[7:08] CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW BOSTON
[7:11] SHOULD APPROACH THE REGULATION
[7:13] AND CREATING.
[7:14] I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR
[7:15] PANELISTS HERE TODAY AND
[7:18] MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR ALSO
[7:20] BEING HERE TODAY.
[7:22] I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE
[7:24] APPROACH THIS ISSUE WITH SOME
[7:26] NUANCE.
[7:28] THERE ARE LEGITIMATE PUBLIC
[7:29] HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS
[7:30] SURROUNDING KRATOM,
[7:33] PARTICULARLY NEW NEWER
[7:34] SYNTHETIC CHEMICALLY ALTERED,
[7:37] ENHANCED AND HIGHLY
[7:39] CONCENTRATED PRODUCT.
[7:40] THIS ORDINANCE ATTEMPTS TO
[7:42] ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS BY
[7:44] CONTINUING TO ALLOW QUALIFIED
[7:47] NATURAL AND UNADULTERATED
[7:49] KRATOM PRODUCTS FOR THOSE OVER
[7:51] 21.
[7:52] THE WRITTEN TESTIMONY WE
[7:54] RECEIVED DEMONSTRATES WHY THIS
[7:56] DISTINCTION THIS DESERVES
[7:59] CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.
[8:01] AND I'VE READ THROUGH MANY
[8:03] OF THESE SUBMISSIONS AND.
[8:10] I HAVEN'T SEEN SUCH A BALANCED
[8:12] ARGUMENT FROM BOTH SIDES.
[8:15] THERE'S VERY WELL PRESENTED.
[8:18] UM, WE'VE HEARD FROM
[8:19] INDIVIDUALS WHO DESCRIBED
[8:20] NATURALLY KRATOM AS SOMETHING
[8:23] THEY RELY ON TO MANAGE CHRONIC
[8:25] PAIN OR REDUCE THEIR RELIANCE
[8:28] ON PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS AND WHO
[8:30] ARE ASKING US NOT TO TREAT
[8:32] NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC OR HIGHLY
[8:35] CONCENTRATED PRODUCTS AS
[8:37] INTERCHANGEABLE.
[8:38] AT THE SAME TIME WE WE'VE ALSO
[8:41] HEARD FROM FAMILIES WHO
[8:42] ATTRIBUTE THE LOSS OF LOVED
[8:44] ONES AT KRATOM AND BELIEVE THE
[8:46] RISKS EXTEND BEYOND SYNTHETIC 7
[8:50] OR 8 PRODUCTS AND WERE
[8:52] SUBSTANTIALLY STRONGER
[8:54] RESTRICTIONS.
[8:55] MY GOAL TODAY IS TO BETTER
[8:56] UNDERSTAND THE EVIDENCE ON BOTH
[8:57] SIDES AND DETERMINE HOW BOSTON
[9:00] CAN PROTECT RESIDENTS FROM
[9:02] POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PRODUCTS
[9:03] WHILE MAKING SURE THAT WHATEVER
[9:05] POLICY WE ADOPT IS CLEAR,
[9:09] ENFORCEABLE AND GROUNDED IN THE
[9:11] EVIDENCE.
[9:12] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
[9:13] THANK YOU, COUNCILOR CULPEPPER.
[9:15] UM, I DON'T HAVE TOO MANY
[9:17] OPENING REMARKS.
[9:17] I LOOK FORWARD TO THE
[9:18] CONVERSATION.
[9:19] I DO APPRECIATE
[9:20] COUNCILOR FITZGERALD'S
[9:20] LEADERSHIP HERE.
[9:22] MY UNDERSTANDING THERE'S BEEN A
[9:23] HEARING ALREADY ON THIS AND
[9:24] THEN A SUBSEQUENT WORKING
[9:25] SESSION TO DISCUSS, UM, THE.
[9:29] UH THE LANGUAGE OF THE OF THE
[9:30] ORGAN.
[9:31] SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
[9:32] UM, HAPPY TO CONTINUE THE
[9:34] PROCESS THROUGH THROUGH THIS
[9:35] COMMITTEE.
[9:35] THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT
[9:38] REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS.
[9:39] WE'VE GOT THE FEDS, WE'VE GOT
[9:40] THE STATE, WE'VE GOT THE CITY.
[9:41] SO UNDERSTANDING WHAT TO CREATE
[9:43] HERE AND WHAT ITERATION WILL
[9:45] ACTUALLY UM, YOU KNOW, PROTECT
[9:47] OUR YOUTH.
[9:48] UH, THERE'S A AS CALLED UH,
[9:50] COUNCIL CULPEPER SAID THIS
[9:51] NEEDS TO BE A LITTLE BIT
[9:52] NUANCED HERE.
[9:53] UM, BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE
[9:55] APPROACH OF COUNCILOR
[9:55] FITZGERALD OF TRYING TO
[9:57] BALANCE, UM AND WALK THAT FINE
[9:59] LINE HERE.
[10:00] SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THE
[10:01] CONVERSATION AND GRATEFUL THAT
[10:02] YOU'RE HERE.
[10:03] SO WITH THAT I WILL, UH,
[10:05] INTRODUCE YOU.
[10:05] UH, YOU ARE PJ MCCANN, UM,
[10:08] DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR POLICY
[10:10] AND PLANNING FROM THE BOSTON
[10:10] PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION.
[10:11] I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU FOR
[10:13] ANY OPENING REMARKS YOU MAY
[10:14] HAVE AND THEN WE'LL GO INTO
[10:15] QUESTIONS.
[10:15] THANK YOU.
[10:16] GREAT.
[10:17] GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR CLUB.
[10:19] AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.
[10:21] THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
[10:22] TO.
[10:23] BE HERE TODAY.
[10:23] MY NAME IS PJ MCCANN AND I AM
[10:25] DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR POLICY
[10:26] AND PLANNING FOR THE BOSTON
[10:27] PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION.
[10:28] UM, AS WE'VE MENTIONED AT
[10:30] PREVIOUS HEARINGS, UH, CREATING
[10:32] PRODUCTS PARTICULARLY
[10:34] SYNTHESIZED PRODUCTS SUCH AS
[10:36] SEVEN HYDROXY MITRA ARGININE
[10:37] ALSO KNOWN AS 700 ARE DANGEROUS
[10:39] BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN
[10:41] UNREGULATED AND THEY PRESENT A
[10:42] RANGE OF HEALTH RISKS INCLUDING
[10:44] PSYCHOSIS, SEIZURES, PHYSICAL
[10:46] DEPENDANCE, WITHDRAWAL AND AN
[10:48] INCREASED RISK RISK OF OVERDOSE
[10:50] AND DEATH.
[10:51] THE MARKETING OF MANY OF THESE
[10:53] PRODUCTS OFTEN INCLUDES
[10:54] THERAPEUTIC CLAIMS RELATED TO
[10:57] USE.
[10:57] AS TREATMENT FOR PAIN,
[10:58] TREATMENT FOR ANXIETY,
[10:59] DEPRESSION AND.
[11:00] OPIOID USE DISORDER.
[11:02] DESPITE LACK OF REGULATORY
[11:03] APPROVAL FOR THOSE USES.
[11:05] AND AS THE COUNCIL IS AWARE AND
[11:07] AS YOU ALL HAVE MENTIONED UM IN
[11:09] AUGUST THE MASSACHUSETTS
[11:10] DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
[11:12] COMMISSIONER.
[11:12] ISSUED A TEMPORARY ONE YEAR
[11:15] EMERGENCY ORDER MAKING ALL
[11:17] KRATOM PRODUCTS SCHEDULE ONE
[11:18] SUBSTANCES EFFECTIVELY
[11:20] PROHIBITING THEIR SALE AND
[11:21] POSSESSION STATEWIDE.
[11:23] THE BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH
[11:24] COMMISSION SUPPORTS THE
[11:26] COMMONWEALTH'S ORDER.
[11:30] AND WE HAVE UH NOTIFIED UH, ALL
[11:33] BOSTON TOBACCO RETAILERS ABOUT
[11:35] THE ORDER AND WE WILL ENFORCE
[11:36] IT WITH ONGOING GUIDANCE FROM
[11:39] UH, MASTER UM, INCLUDING UH THE
[11:42] MATERIALS THAT ARE ONLINE AT
[11:45] MASS.GOV/KRATOM.
[11:46] UM, THESE PRODUCTS AS YOU ALL
[11:48] KNOW, ARE MOSTLY MOST COMMONLY
[11:50] FOUND IN RETAIL STORES THAT
[11:52] HOLD A PERMIT TO SELL TOBACCO
[11:54] FROM VFC.
[11:55] UM SO TO THAT END BPH HAS BEEN
[11:58] INFORMING ALL BUSINESSES THAT
[11:59] HOLD A PERMIT WITH US TO SELL
[12:01] TOBACCO PRODUCTS ABOUT THE
[12:02] STATE ORDER.
[12:03] OUR INSPECTORS WILL CONTINUE TO
[12:05] MONITOR FOR COMPLIANCE ALONG
[12:07] WITH ONGOING TOBACCO CONTROL
[12:08] COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS WHILE
[12:09] THE ORDER IS IN EFFECT.
[12:11] UH, UNDER THE GUIDANCE IN FOR
[12:15] ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS BY LOCAL
[12:17] HEALTH AUTHORITIES MAY INCLUDE
[12:18] CEASE AND DESIST NOTICES,
[12:20] NUISANCE ACTIONS, CITATIONS AND
[12:23] SUMMARY SUSPENSION OF MUNICIPAL
[12:25] LICENSES OR PERMITS.
[12:27] OUTREACH TO RETAILERS THIS IS
[12:29] STILL ONGOING, BUT ANECDOTAL
[12:31] REPORTS SUGGEST THAT MANY
[12:33] RETAILERS HAVE ALREADY REMOVED
[12:35] COVERED PRODUCTS FROM THEIR
[12:36] SHELVES.
[12:37] UM I DO WANT.
[12:38] TO NOTE, UH, BEFORE CLOSING UH,
[12:40] MY OPENING REMARKS THAT UM IF A
[12:43] BOSTON RESIDENT IS LOOKING FOR
[12:44] HELP, UH, TO STOP USING KRATOM
[12:46] PRODUCTS, THEY SHOULD CALL
[12:47] THROUGH ON ONE AND GET
[12:49] CONNECTED WITH THE BOSTON
[12:51] PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION'S
[12:52] PATHS PROGRAM, WHICH CAN HELP
[12:54] WITH REFERRALS TO TREATMENT.
[12:56] UM, SO I WILL PAUSE THERE, UH,
[12:59] FOR A QUESTION.
[13:02] GREAT.
[13:02] THANK YOU SO MUCH, PJ, FOR
[13:03] YOUR WORK.
[13:04] UM, I'LL PASS IT TO COUNSELOR
[13:06] FITZGERALD.
[13:06] WE'LL DO EIGHT MINUTES FOR
[13:08] QUESTIONS.
[13:09] COUNCILOR FITZGERALD, YOU HAVE
[13:10] THE FLOOR.
[13:11] THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM
[13:12] CHAIR.
[13:13] UH, THANK YOU, DEPUTY DIRECTOR
[13:14] MCCANN.
[13:15] UM.
[13:16] WOULD YOU SAY IT'S THE
[13:18] BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION
[13:19] STANCE THAT THE SYNTHETIC
[13:21] KRATOM IS.
[13:22] WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT OFF THE
[13:24] SHELVES AND NOT ALLOWED.
[13:25] IN OUR CITY.
[13:26] SO IS THAT A STANCE THAT THEY
[13:27] HAVE TAKEN THAT YOU GUYS HAVE
[13:28] TAKEN AT THIS POINT?
[13:29] THAT IS CORRECT.
[13:29] YES.
[13:30] GREAT.
[13:30] UM, I ONLY SAY THAT BECAUSE I
[13:33] KNOW BOTH FROM UM YOU KNOW.
[13:35] WITH THE MASS AND CASS AREA AND
[13:37] MY DISTRICT.
[13:38] UH AND EVEN AS WELL AS SOME UH
[13:39] IT'S HIT EVEN CLOSER TO HOME
[13:41] UH, FOR SOME OF US.
[13:42] UM, BOTH IN.
[13:43] MY OFFICE AND AROUND AND
[13:44] FRIENDS.
[13:45] THAT, UH, THIS ISSUE WAS.
[13:46] BROUGHT UP AND WHY I BROUGHT IT
[13:47] FORWARD AND WHAT IS HAPPENING
[13:49] TO SOME OF THE FOLKS OUT THERE
[13:50] THINKING THAT THIS IS EITHER.
[13:51] UM.
[13:52] YOU KNOW, LIKE A FIVE HOUR.
[13:54] ENERGY DRINK OR JUST QUICK PAIN
[13:55] RELIEF OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE
[13:57] AND HOW IT'S MARKETED AND WHO.
[13:58] IT'S MARKETED TO.
[14:00] UM, BUT WITHOUT HAVING THE
[14:02] EFFECTS UH.
[14:04] THERE ARE A NUMBER OF.
[14:06] CITIES TOWNS MUNICIPALITIES.
[14:08] THAT CURRENTLY HAVE UH.
[14:12] PROHIBITED THE SYNTHETIC
[14:14] VERSION OF THE.
[14:15] SEVEN THE 700 AND.
[14:16] H UM FROM THEIR TOWN.
[14:19] SO I BELIEVE THERE WAS LIKE 17
[14:20] THERE.
[14:21] IT MIGHT BE.
[14:22] IT MIGHT BE MORE THAN THAT.
[14:23] UM, SO I'M LOOKING TO FOLLOW.
[14:25] THAT LEAD.
[14:26] RIGHT.
[14:27] AND I KNOW IN THE STEPS WE'VE
[14:29] TAKE TO BAN.
[14:30] THE SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA.
[14:31] WHEN THAT WAS A BIGGER DEAL,
[14:32] UM, THAT, UH, WE'RE LOOKING TO
[14:35] FOLLOW THAT THAT BLUEPRINT.
[14:37] WHERE WOULD YOU SAY I KNOW
[14:38] RIGHT NOW I KNOW FROM OUR.
[14:40] SIDE OF THINGS.
[14:41] WE'RE LOOKING AT IT THAT, YOU
[14:43] KNOW, TO MAKE AN ORDINANCE WE
[14:44] STILL PROBABLY HAVE TO HAVE
[14:45] MAYBE ONE MORE WORKING SESSION
[14:46] WORK ON SOME LANGUAGE.
[14:47] AND THEN WE COULD VOTE ON AS AN
[14:49] ORDINANCE TO TAKE EFFECT.
[14:50] HOWEVER, THINGS ARE NOW
[14:51] COMPLICATED.
[14:52] I'M NOT SURE THE DEGREE TO
[14:53] WHICH YOU CAN TALK.
[14:54] ABOUT ALL OF THAT NOW THAT THE
[14:55] STATE.
[14:56] MIGHT BE BEING SUED.
[14:58] UM BUT WHAT WOULD YOUR ARE WE
[14:59] THE STEPS FOR THE K2 SPICE
[15:01] SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA?
[15:02] WHAT WOULD WE HAVE.
[15:03] LEFT TO DO IN OUR PROCESS FROM
[15:05] THE BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH
[15:06] STANDPOINT?
[15:07] SO I WOULD I WOULD SORT
[15:09] OF START BY I SUPPOSE
[15:11] DESCRIBING THE UH THE STATE
[15:14] OF PLAY.
[15:15] IN THE YEAR IN WHICH THE STATE
[15:17] ORDER REMAINS IN EFFECT.
[15:20] SO FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME, IF
[15:21] THIS ORDINANCE PASSED AS
[15:25] DRAFTED, THEN THE PROVISIONS
[15:27] THAT WERE WEAKER THAN THE STATE
[15:29] ORDER WOULD BE SORT OF NULL AND
[15:30] VOID UNENFORCEABLE.
[15:32] IT WOULDN'T MAKE UH LEAF.
[15:34] TEA SORT OF THE PRODUCTS THAT
[15:36] WERE EXEMPTED TO TO INDIVIDUALS
[15:38] OVER 21.
[15:39] IT WOULDN'T.
[15:40] MAKE THEM LEGAL AT.
[15:41] THE.
[15:41] LOCAL LEVEL.
[15:42] SO WE'RE SORT OF PREEMPTED FROM
[15:43] DOING ANYTHING WEAKER.
[15:45] UH.
[15:46] I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK, UH.
[15:47] YOU KNOW, OFFERED LEGAL
[15:49] OPINIONS SORT OF FAR BEYOND
[15:51] THAT.
[15:52] BUT THAT.
[15:52] DOES UM JUST APPEAR.
[15:54] TO BE.
[15:56] UM TO BE SORT OF AT BASELINE.
[15:58] IF.
[15:58] WE DID ANYTHING THAT.
[15:59] UH THAT IS WEAKER THAN THE
[16:00] STATE'S ORDER THAT IT WOULDN'T
[16:02] HAVE ANY LEGAL EFFECT UNTIL A
[16:05] SITUATION WHERE THE ORDER
[16:05] EITHER EXPIRED WITHOUT A POLICY
[16:08] REPLACING IT OR UM, OR IT WAS
[16:11] STRUCK DOWN.
[16:13] SO THAT.
[16:13] WOULD LEAVE US.
[16:15] AT A POINT WHERE YOU'RE RIGHT.
[16:17] I MEAN, THE STATE OBVIOUSLY
[16:19] SUPERSEDES.
[16:19] UH, BUT IT IS A TEMPORARY BAN.
[16:22] AND UH, THE REASON I'M STILL
[16:24] MOTIVATED TO GO FORWARD IS I
[16:26] WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOMETHING ON
[16:27] THE BOOKS OR AT LEAST TAKE
[16:30] EFFECT WHEN.
[16:31] THE BAN EXPIRES.
[16:34] UH, SO THERE'S NO LAG.
[16:35] TIME IN ALLOWING.
[16:37] FOLKS TO.
[16:38] GET THE SYNTHETIC UM.
[16:41] UH, NITROGEN UM, BACK ONTO THE
[16:44] MARKET EVEN FOR A YOU KNOW,
[16:46] EVEN IF THERE WAS A ONE WEEKEND
[16:47] WINDOW.
[16:48] WHERE, YOU KNOW.
[16:49] IF THE STATE ISN'T ABLE TO TAKE
[16:51] ACTION WITHIN THE YEAR AND.
[16:54] UH AND THE CITY CAN BE.
[16:56] SORT OF LOOKING FOR FORWARD
[16:58] LOOKING.
[16:59] IN THE WAY THAT WE CAN SAY.
[17:00] WELL, LOOK, WE'VE SET IT UP
[17:01] SO THAT IT'S EXTENDED EXPIRES.
[17:02] THIS TAKES.
[17:03] EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
[17:04] SO THERE REALLY IS NO DROP OFF.
[17:06] UH, IN THAT BAN UH, AT LEAST
[17:08] AROUND THE SYNTHETIC.
[17:11] UM I.
[17:11] THINK THAT IS THE GOAL HERE.
[17:12] I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'RE AWARE
[17:14] OF ANY.
[17:15] OTHER WHETHER IT'S A PUBLIC
[17:16] HEALTH.
[17:16] BILL OR ANY BILL IN GENERAL
[17:18] THAT HAS THAT SORT OF UM, UH,
[17:21] YOU KNOW.
[17:22] EXPIRATION AND THEN.
[17:23] SOMETHING ELSE TAKES EFFECT
[17:24] THAT.
[17:24] THAT IS YOU'RE RIGHT IT WE ARE
[17:26] A.
[17:26] LITTLE LESS LENIENT ON THE A
[17:28] LITTLE MORE LENIENT THAN THE
[17:30] STATE'S CURRENT BAN.
[17:32] SO I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY ANY
[17:35] THING IN THE CITY CHARTER OR
[17:38] COUNCIL RULES THAT PRECLUDES
[17:39] THE COUNCIL FROM HAVING UH, AN
[17:42] EFFECTIVE DATE THAT'S, YOU
[17:43] KNOW, SOMETHING LIKE A YEAR OUT
[17:46] SO THAT THAT IS AN APPROACH
[17:47] THAT'S THAT'S AVAILABLE TO THE
[17:49] COUNCIL.
[17:50] UM, THE SORT OF I SUPPOSE THE
[17:53] OTHER JUST CONSIDERATION IS IS
[17:55] THAT THAT IDEA OF OF NOT
[17:57] WANTING TO DO SOMETHING THAT
[17:59] WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH
[18:01] STATE LAW IN A WAY THAT IT'S
[18:03] SUBJECT TO A PREEMPTION
[18:05] CHALLENGE.
[18:05] I THINK THAT THAT COULD BE
[18:07] HANDLED A NUMBER OF WAYS.
[18:08] I THINK THERE COULD BE LANGUAGE
[18:12] THAT DEFERS TO, YOU KNOW, THE
[18:17] THE EFFECTIVE DATE COULD ALSO
[18:19] BE SUBJECT TO ANY STATE LAW
[18:22] CHANGE ON THIS MATTER.
[18:24] THE OTHER APPROACHES TO.
[18:27] WAIT TO.
[18:28] ADOPT THE ORDINANCE UNTIL YOU
[18:30] KNOW MORE ABOUT THE THE STATE
[18:32] OF PLAY IT AT THE STATE LEVEL.
[18:34] UM.
[18:35] BUT I THINK.
[18:36] IN AN EFFECTIVE DATE THAT IS
[18:38] AFTER THE INITIAL ORDER PERIOD
[18:39] WOULD AVOID SOME OF THOSE
[18:42] ISSUES ABOUT PUTTING ON AN
[18:43] ORDER THAT IS UM, THAT AT LEAST
[18:46] PART OF IT IS IS SUPERSEDED BY
[18:48] STATE LAW.
[18:48] DO YOU THINK BY IF WE WERE TO
[18:51] GO FORWARD WITH THE.
[18:52] ORDINANCE AND AND.
[18:54] PUT IT ON THE BOOKS AND
[18:55] WHETHER WE HAD.
[18:56] A UM, YOU.
[18:58] KNOW, THE EXPIRATION DATE.
[18:59] AND FOR IT TO TAKE EFFECT
[19:01] AFTER THE YEAR BAN.
[19:02] UM, WOULD IT BE HELPFUL FOR THE
[19:05] CITY OF BOSTON TO.
[19:06] LEAD IN THIS BY.
[19:08] CRAFTING SOME OF THE
[19:09] LEGISLATION.
[19:09] HERE AT OUR.
[19:10] LOCAL LEVEL THAT.
[19:12] ACT AS THE ECONOMIC ENGINE AND
[19:14] BIGGEST CITY IN THE STATE WHERE
[19:16] IF WE CAN APPLY IT.
[19:17] HERE THIS WE MIGHT GIVE A
[19:19] BLUEPRINT TO THE STATE OF HOW
[19:21] TO DO THIS AND FAIRLY GET IT
[19:23] PASSED AT WITH AT A REASONABLE
[19:25] LEVEL UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE'S
[19:26] USE OF.
[19:26] WHOLE LEAF.
[19:27] VERSUS THE USE OF.
[19:28] SYNTHETIC AND HOW THAT'S
[19:29] MARKETED.
[19:31] UM AND MAYBE HAVE THEM.
[19:33] WHEN THEIR YEAR BAN.
[19:35] EXPIRES TO ALIGN WITH WHAT WE
[19:37] COULD HAVE ON OUR.
[19:37] BOOKS OR POTENTIALLY.
[19:38] HAVE ON OUR BOOKS.
[19:39] AND YOU THINK THERE'S A WAY WE
[19:40] CAN WORK WITH THE.
[19:41] STATE ON.
[19:42] THAT LANGUAGE.
[19:43] SO THAT.
[19:44] WHEN THAT HAPPENS.
[19:45] WE'RE ALL IN ALIGNMENT AND WE
[19:47] ALL FALL BACK.
[19:47] INTO THE SAME VERBIAGE.
[19:49] CERTAINLY I THINK IF IF THIS IS
[19:52] UM THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THAT
[19:53] IS TAKEN UP BY THE LEGISLATURE
[19:55] I THINK.
[19:57] UM HEARING FROM THE
[19:58] MUNICIPALITIES THAT ARE
[19:59] ENGAGING ON THE ISSUE LOCALLY
[20:00] COULD BE HELPFUL TO DRIVE A
[20:03] CONSENSUS ABOUT SOME OF THE THE
[20:04] OUTSTANDING POLICY QUESTIONS
[20:06] ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHERE TO DRAW
[20:08] THE LINE WITH WITH CERTAIN
[20:09] CONCENTRATIONS AND UM, BAND AID
[20:12] LIMITS AND ENFORCEMENT AND
[20:14] THINGS LIKE THAT.
[20:15] SO I.
[20:16] THINK THERE'S UH THERE'S PLENTY
[20:18] OF OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE.
[20:20] GREG AND.
[20:21] UM.
[20:21] I.
[20:22] KNOW THAT LAST MONTH.
[20:23] YEAH.
[20:23] NO NO NO, THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
[20:25] UM THANK YOU.
[20:26] CHAIR.
[20:26] UM.
[20:29] YEAH.
[20:30] WITH THAT I JUST THINK I'D I'D
[20:32] WANT TO SEE SOMETHING.
[20:33] I WANT.
[20:34] TO BE PROACTIVE.
[20:35] HERE AS A CITY WHERE WE ARE NOT
[20:36] LEFT.
[20:37] EXPOSED AFTER.
[20:38] A YEAR.
[20:39] UH, IF THE LEGISLATURE.
[20:41] DOES NOT MOVE ON THIS, UH, THAT
[20:43] WE'RE BACK AT.
[20:44] SQUARE ONE.
[20:45] AND SORT OF HAVE TO START OUR
[20:47] COUNCIL PROCESS.
[20:48] ALL OVER AGAIN AND, UM, JUST
[20:50] TAKES.
[20:51] IT THAT MUCH LONGER FOR THE.
[20:52] WINDOW TO BE OPEN TO ALLOW THIS
[20:54] STUFF.
[20:54] UM, ARE YOU GUYS DO YOU GUYS
[20:56] HAVE KRATOM?
[20:58] UM, STATS?
[20:59] UH HAVE YOU.
[21:00] IS THIS SOMETHING THAT HAS.
[21:01] BEEN.
[21:01] TRACKED WITHIN THE CITY
[21:02] OF BOSTON OR.
[21:03] ACROSS THE STATE?
[21:04] UM, AND HAVE WE SEEN RECENT
[21:06] TRENDS?
[21:07] SO I WILL SAY UM.
[21:09] THE THE DATA IS IS LIMITED WHEN
[21:13] WHEN DPI ISSUED THEIR ORDER
[21:14] THEY'RE REQUIRED TO MAKE MAKE A
[21:16] LIST OF FINDINGS AND THEY
[21:17] INCLUDED SORT OF THE NUMBER
[21:19] OF DEATHS INVOLVING KRATOM I
[21:21] THINK THAT'S SORT OF THE BEST
[21:23] DATA THEY HAVE IN THE STATE.
[21:25] THEY INCIDENCE TRAGIC
[21:28] FATALITIES HAVE BEEN SORT
[21:29] OF INCREASING I WILL SAY
[21:30] THEY'RE USUALLY PAIRED WITH
[21:31] OTHER SUBSTANCE USE OR POLY
[21:34] SUBSTANCE USE WHERE WHERE
[21:35] KRATOM IS INVOLVED.
[21:37] UM BUT I AS FAR AS I'M AWARE I
[21:40] DON'T THINK WE HAVE BOSTON
[21:42] SPECIFIC OVERDOSE DATA.
[21:45] I THINK WE SORT OF YOU.
[21:46] KNOW.
[21:47] DO ANECDOTALLY SEE THAT IT'S
[21:48] SOMETHING THAT HAS TICKED UP AS
[21:51] AVAILABILITY HAS HAS TICKED UP
[21:52] IN RECENT YEARS AND UM BUT I
[21:54] APOLOGIZE THAT I DON'T HAVE ANY
[21:56] MORE SPECIFIC.
[21:57] NO I WAS JUST WHEN I WHEN I
[21:58] TALKED TO UH RECOVERY HOMES AND
[22:00] .
[22:00] PROGRAMS AND.
[22:01] THINGS UH IT'S CERTAINLY
[22:02] SOMETHING THAT THEY SAID WHEN I
[22:04] MENTIONED CREIGHTON THEY THEY
[22:05] JUST SHOOK.
[22:06] OH YEAH.
[22:06] OH YEAH WE.
[22:07] GET WE.
[22:08] GET THE.
[22:08] GREAT AMUSING.
[22:09] SO UM, LIKE YOU.
[22:10] SAID ANECDOTALLY I'VE SEEN.
[22:12] AN.
[22:12] INCREASE JUST UH THROUGH STORY
[22:14] UM FOR PEOPLE APPROACHING.
[22:15] ME SINCE I TOOK THIS UP IN
[22:16] THE FALL UM, AND REACHING OUT
[22:18] AND TELLING OTHER STORIES THAT
[22:19] UH.
[22:19] IT'S JUST SOMETHING I THINK.
[22:21] UM.
[22:22] ULTIMATELY I.
[22:23] WANT TO GET THE SYNTHETIC
[22:24] VERSION OFF THE SHELVES.
[22:26] I APPRECIATE THE STATE'S BAN.
[22:27] I KNOW IT'S TEMPORARY.
[22:28] I JUST DON'T WANT TO LEAVE A
[22:29] LAPSE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE
[22:31] WE'VE GOT ON THE BOOKS WHAT WE
[22:32] NEED TO HAVE TO KEEP THE
[22:33] CHILDREN OF BOSTON SAFE.
[22:34] AND NOT JUST THE CHILDREN BUT
[22:36] ALSO FOLKS.
[22:37] STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION AND
[22:38] UM, YOU KNOW, AT THE END OF THE
[22:40] DAY I'M LOOKING FORWARD.
[22:41] TO.
[22:42] THE LANGUAGE THAT THAT COULD
[22:43] DO.
[22:43] THAT UH, OPEN AND AMENABLE TO
[22:45] ALL OF THAT WORKING WITH THE.
[22:47] STATE AND TRYING TO HELP GUIDE
[22:48] THEM ON MAYBE SOME BETTER, UH,
[22:50] PARAMETERS.
[22:51] THAT THEY COULD ENFORCE.
[22:53] UM.
[22:54] AND WITH THAT I LOOKED AT.
[22:55] THE BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH
[22:56] COMMISSION HELP AND YOUR
[22:57] CONTINUED SUPPORT AND ALL
[22:58] OF THIS AND SO, UM, DEPUTY
[23:00] DIRECTOR, I REALLY APPRECIATE
[23:01] YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU VERY
[23:02] MUCH, MADAM CHAIR.
[23:03] THANK YOU.
[23:04] COUNCILOR FITZGERALD.
[23:05] UM, JUST A QUICK NOTE WE CAN
[23:07] BASED ON THE, UM, NOT WANTING
[23:09] TO CONFLICT WITH STATE LAW TO
[23:11] DUE TO A PREEMPTION CHALLENGE,
[23:12] WE CAN DO A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
[23:13] LIKE THIS SHALL NOT CONFLICT
[23:14] WITH BUT WE'VE DONE THAT BEFORE
[23:16] IN THE PAST SO WE CAN UM WE CAN
[23:18] MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S INCLUDED.
[23:19] UM, COUNCILOR FLYNN, YOU KNOW,
[23:20] HAVE THE FLOOR.
[23:21] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
[23:22] AND.
[23:24] I WAS AT A COMMUNITY MEETING
[23:26] WHEN THIS WAS DISCUSSED
[23:28] INITIALLY WAS A SOUTHERN
[23:30] COMMUNITY, UM, COMMUNITY
[23:33] MEETING AND IN MY DISTRICT IN
[23:36] DISTRICT TWO, I SHOULD SAY
[23:38] THERE WAS SELLING THIS TYPE
[23:40] OF PRODUCT LEGALLY AT THE
[23:41] STORE.
[23:42] I BELIEVE IT WAS I BELIEVE IT
[23:43] WAS COLUMBUS AVENUE AND THAT'S
[23:46] HOW RESIDENTS RESPONDED AS THEY
[23:48] WANTED MYSELF AND
[23:49] COUNCILOR FITZGERALD TO
[23:51] RESEARCH THIS.
[23:54] UM AND AGAIN AS I MENTIONED AS
[23:56] A PROBATION OFFICER I WORKED
[23:58] WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WERE
[24:00] ON THE ON SYNTHETIC DRUGS SUCH
[24:03] AS UM K2 AND IN OTHER IN OTHER
[24:07] TYPES OF UM AND OTHER TYPES
[24:10] OF DRUGS AS WELL.
[24:14] UM PJ UM I MIGHT BE MISSING
[24:16] SOMETHING IN ON ON THIS SUBJECT
[24:19] AND IF YOU COULD HELP ME I'M
[24:22] AGAINST I SUPPORT OBVIOUSLY THE
[24:24] PROPOSAL TO UM ADDRESS THIS
[24:26] ISSUE AND TO ENSURE THAT IT
[24:30] DOESN'T BECOME PUBLIC BUT.
[24:31] WHAT IS THE.
[24:34] OPPOSITE SIDE I DON'T
[24:35] UNDERSTAND THE THE OPPOSITE
[24:37] POINT.
[24:38] IS PEOPLE.
[24:39] SUPPORT THIS BECAUSE OF BECAUSE
[24:41] OF WHY I DO HAVE AN IDEA WHY
[24:43] THEY'RE SUPPORTING IT.
[24:46] IS THE QUESTION UH WHY CERTAIN
[24:48] PEOPLE OPPOSE RESTRICTIONS.
[24:50] YEAH EXACTLY EXACTLY YEAH.
[24:52] I WOULD SAY FROM MY
[24:54] UNDERSTANDING IS THAT UM
[24:56] ESPECIALLY ON THE BOTANICAL
[24:58] NATURAL LEAF SIDE SORT OF THE
[25:00] THE SORT OF USE UM THAT'S MORE
[25:02] LIKE DRINKING A TEA OR SORT
[25:04] OF OTHER HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS AT
[25:06] LOWER CONCENTRATION LEVELS THAT
[25:09] UM, YOU KNOW, AS
[25:10] COUNCILOR CULPEPPER SAID, THERE
[25:11] ARE REPORTS THAT SOME PEOPLE,
[25:13] YOU KNOW, HAVE FOUND THAT
[25:15] THERAPEUTIC AGAIN, IS NOT
[25:17] SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN APPROVED
[25:18] BY THE FDA AS UM FOR ANY
[25:21] THERAPEUTIC USE.
[25:22] BUT I THINK THERE IS A
[25:24] RECOGNITION THAT THERE'S A SORT
[25:25] OF A SCALE OF HARM BETWEEN SOME
[25:28] OF THE MOST CONCENTRATED UM
[25:30] SYNTHESIZED PRODUCTS AND THE
[25:31] NATURAL PRODUCTS.
[25:32] SO THAT'S THAT'S PART OF WHAT I
[25:35] THINK SOME OF THE UM, THE
[25:37] QUESTIONS AND PUSHBACK THAT YOU
[25:38] MIGHT BE HEARING ARE ABOUT.
[25:40] NO THANK YOU BUT BUT THIS
[25:42] PROPOSAL THIS ORDINANCE
[25:44] PROPOSAL WOULDN'T RESTRICT THAT
[25:46] TYPE OF PRODUCT OR WOULD IT.
[25:49] AS DRAFTED I BELIEVE IT SETS AN
[25:50] AGE LIMIT UH 2421 FOR THE SORT
[25:54] OF NATURAL PRODUCTS.
[25:56] OKAY.
[25:57] SO IF A YOUNG PERSON SO
[25:59] YOUNG PERSONNEL CAN BUY THE THE
[26:02] HERBAL PRODUCTS.
[26:03] CANNOT BUY CANNOT YEAH.
[26:05] THEY SO IF IT'S A NATURAL
[26:06] PRODUCT IT'S UH 21 PLUS AND IF
[26:10] IT'S A CERTAIN CONCENTRATION OR
[26:11] THE SYNTHESIZED SEVEN OH AGE
[26:14] THAT'S A TOTAL BAN.
[26:16] OKAY.
[26:17] BUT THAT THEY ARE AVAILABLE
[26:19] LEGALLY TO SOMEONE OVER THE.
[26:21] AGE.
[26:21] OF OVER THE AGE OF 21.
[26:23] IN THE THE NATURAL PRODUCTS
[26:25] WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO SOMEBODY
[26:27] OVER 21 AFTER AFTER THE STATE
[26:30] BAN WERE TO SUNSET OR SUNSET.
[26:33] RIGHT NOW EVERYTHING IS.
[26:36] THERE IS NO CONCERN OR
[26:38] DISCUSSION ABOUT BANNING THAT
[26:41] FOR.
[26:42] PEOPLE OVER 21 TO USE THAT TYPE
[26:45] OF UM CURRENT PRODUCT IS THAT.
[26:51] I THINK THAT THAT'S IT SOUNDS
[26:53] TO ME LIKE THAT IS ONE AREA
[26:56] WHERE AS THE COUNCIL IS
[26:58] FINALIZING THEIR APPROACH THEY
[26:59] SHOULD LOOK AT THE THE DATA AND
[27:02] SCIENCE AND AND PERHAPS WHAT
[27:03] THE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES ARE
[27:04] DOING IF THERE'S AN INTEREST IN
[27:06] HAVING A UNIFIED APPROACH TO
[27:09] SUGGEST TO UM TO STATE
[27:11] REGULATORS AND LEGISLATORS.
[27:13] BUT UM.
[27:15] I THINK THAT IS SORT OF A KEY
[27:16] QUESTION.
[27:16] IT'S PLAYING OUT AT THIS AT THE
[27:18] FEDERAL LEVEL AS WELL.
[27:20] UM, SO THAT THAT'S ALL TO SAY I
[27:23] THINK THERE'S A RECOGNITION
[27:23] THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN
[27:25] THE HARMS BETWEEN UH.
[27:27] THE HIGHLY CONCENTRATED IN THE
[27:29] SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS AND THE
[27:30] NATURAL PRODUCTS AND IT'S A
[27:32] MATTER OF LIKE DRAWING.
[27:34] OKAY.
[27:36] WHAT IS THE WHAT IS THE
[27:38] FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DONE ON THIS
[27:40] ISSUE?
[27:41] SO CURRENTLY THERE THERE WAS A
[27:44] NOTICE OF INTENT TO SCHEDULE
[27:46] SORT OF ESSENTIALLY THE
[27:47] PRODUCTS THAT WE ARE PROPOSING
[27:49] TO TO BAN WITH SOME NUANCE
[27:51] AROUND THE CONCENTRATION I
[27:52] BELIEVE.
[27:53] UM BUT THE COMMENT PERIOD FOR
[27:54] THAT I THINK HAS BEEN EXTENDED
[27:56] TO THE POINT WHERE WE DON'T WE
[27:57] DON'T NOW HAVE A FINAL
[27:59] RESOLUTION ON THAT.
[28:00] SO THERE IS YOU KNOW, THAT
[28:02] THERE'S A LOT OF NUANCE AT ALL
[28:03] ALL THREE LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT
[28:05] ON THIS ISSUE AND UM, IMPORTANT
[28:08] TO BE ENGAGED.
[28:09] BUT THERE ARE.
[28:10] THINGS.
[28:11] THAT COULD.
[28:11] CHANGE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
[28:13] OKAY.
[28:15] ARE THERE ANY CITIES AND
[28:18] TOWNS ACROSS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
[28:21] THAT ARE DOING SOMETHING
[28:23] SIMILAR TO THIS PROPOSAL?
[28:25] THERE ARE I, I DON'T HAVE A
[28:27] FULL UM POLICY SCAN IN FRONT
[28:30] OF ME, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF A
[28:31] LOT OF WORK AT THE STATE LEVEL
[28:32] IN STATE LEGISLATURES ACROSS
[28:33] THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE TAKEN
[28:35] DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO TO
[28:37] CONCENTRATES AND SIMILARLY WITH
[28:39] WITH MUNICIPALITIES AND AND IN
[28:41] MASSACHUSETTS THERE ARE AT
[28:42] LEAST THE 17 THAT HAVE GONE UM
[28:46] SO YOU KNOW, I THINK AS WE'RE
[28:48] AS WE'RE FINALIZING IT COULDN'T
[28:49] HURT TO LOOK AT UM, THE
[28:51] LANGUAGE SEE IF THERE ARE
[28:53] COMMONALITIES AND BEST
[28:54] PRACTICES.
[28:56] OKAY.
[28:58] IN.
[29:02] MAYBE MY FINAL QUESTION IS IF
[29:05] SOMEONE IS USING USING THIS
[29:08] PRODUCT LEGALLY RIGHT NOW,
[29:13] COULD THEY BE IMPAIRED AT ALL
[29:16] IN TERMS OF DRIVING A VEHICLE?
[29:20] I.
[29:21] I DON'T HAVE EXPERTISE IN
[29:23] THE EXACT EFFECTS BUT I KNOW AT
[29:25] CERTAIN LEVELS OF USE CREATE
[29:27] THEM CAN DELIVER SORT OF UM.
[29:31] CALMING EFFECTS ON THE BODY AND
[29:33] AT CERTAIN OTHER HIGHER DOSES
[29:35] IT CAN IT CAN FUNCTION MORE AS
[29:38] AN OPIOID.
[29:38] SO I WOULD SAY THAT.
[29:40] IT WOULD BE UM THERE WOULD
[29:42] CERTAINLY BE A RISK
[29:43] OF IMPAIRMENT DRIVING AGAIN
[29:44] THERE'S THERE'S NO LEGAL USE IN
[29:48] THE STATE AT THE MOMENT BUT IN
[29:50] GENERAL I WOULD ADVISE AGAINST
[29:52] DRIVING IF YOU'VE USED ANY
[29:54] OF THE FORMULATIONS.
[29:56] OKAY I THINK MY TIME IS UP
[29:59] THINKING THAT.
[29:59] COUNTER THANK YOU.
[30:01] UH THANK YOU, COUNCILOR FLYNN.
[30:02] COUNCILOR CULPEPPER YOU KNOW
[30:03] BEFORE.
[30:04] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
[30:06] THANK YOU.
[30:07] DEPUTY MCCANN.
[30:08] I WANT TO TRY AND UNDERSTAND
[30:12] SOME OF THE EVIDENCE ON BOTH
[30:13] SIDES AND SO.
[30:18] WHAT DID THE SCIENTIFIC
[30:19] EVIDENCE TELL US ABOUT THE
[30:21] DIFFERENCE IN RISK BETWEEN
[30:24] TRADITIONAL NATURAL LEAF KRATOM
[30:29] AND SYNTHETIC ENHANCED OR
[30:32] HIGHLY CONCENTRATED 708
[30:35] PRODUCTS?
[30:35] YEAH.
[30:36] SO I, I WOULD SAY THE UM
[30:39] PROBABLY THE MOST TELLING SET
[30:43] OF DATA IS IS WHEN WE LOOK AT
[30:47] OVERDOSES AND OVERDOSE DEATHS
[30:48] THAT HAVE INVOLVED KRATOM
[30:50] PRODUCTS, THE MAJORITY OF THOSE
[30:52] HAVING A HAVE INVOLVED THE UM
[30:57] SYNTHETIC OR HIGHLY
[30:58] CONCENTRATED VERSIONS.
[31:01] UM BROADLY SPEAKING YOU KNOW,
[31:02] LOWER LOWER CONCENTRATION,
[31:05] LOWER RISK.
[31:10] IS THAT DISTINCTION IS IT IS IT
[31:13] IS TINCTURE SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH
[31:15] FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH
[31:17] PERSPECTIVE TO JUSTIFY
[31:19] REGULATING THEM DIFFERENTLY?
[31:25] I, I THINK THE I'LL SAY THE
[31:28] DRAFT BEFORE YOU DOES TREAT
[31:32] THEM DIFFERENTLY AND I THINK UM
[31:36] THERE THERE IS THERE ARE
[31:39] ARGUMENTS FOR UM FOR DRAWING
[31:41] THE LINE AT JUST SYNTHETICS
[31:44] THEIR ARGUMENT, THEIR ARGUMENTS
[31:45] THAT DRAWING THE LINE AT JUST
[31:48] SYNTHESIZED SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS.
[31:50] THIS IS A CATEGORY OF, YOU
[31:52] KNOW, ULTRA CONCENTRATED
[31:53] PRODUCTS THAT ARE ALSO VERY
[31:55] COMMONLY FOUND ON THE SHELVES
[31:57] AND ARE ASSOCIATED WITH WITH
[32:00] HEALTH HARMS.
[32:01] UM, SO YOU KNOW, THE SCIENCE IS
[32:05] UM IS.
[32:06] COMPLICATED HERE I THINK AND
[32:08] SORT OF FINDING UH FINDING AN
[32:10] EXACT NUMBER I THINK THE THE
[32:13] FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING
[32:15] AT 0.0 5% CONCENTRATION OF OF
[32:19] THE ACTIVE CHEMICAL BUT AGAIN
[32:22] IT'S UM THIS IS SORT OF A
[32:24] MATTER OF LOOKING AT WHAT DOSE
[32:27] IS LIKELY TO LEAD.
[32:29] TO DEPENDANCE TO SIDE EFFECTS I
[32:30] MENTIONED AND UH SUBSTANCE USE
[32:33] DISORDER AND IN A WORST CASE UM
[32:37] FATAL OVERDOSE.
[32:39] I WAS TRYING TO GET TO THE REAL
[32:40] EVIDENCE.
[32:41] UH, WHAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
[32:44] WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE
[32:45] ON BOTH SIDES AND THE DIFFERENT
[32:48] STORIES THAT THE EVIDENCE TELLS
[32:51] ABOUT ONE VERSUS THE OTHER AND
[32:55] ,UH.
[32:59] HOW CAN A RETAILER, A CONSUMER
[33:06] OR EVEN A CITY INSPECTOR
[33:08] ACTUALLY DETERMINE WHETHER A
[33:09] PRODUCT MEETS YOU OR IS THE
[33:12] DEFINITION OF UNADULTERATED HOW
[33:16] CAN I CAN YOU TELL.
[33:18] I WILL SAY THAT THAT THAT IS
[33:20] THAT IS ONE OF THE
[33:23] IMPLEMENTATION BENEFITS OF A
[33:25] TOTAL BAN IS THAT AT LEAST IF
[33:27] SOMETHING IS HOLDING ITSELF OUT
[33:29] AS AS BEING A GREAT UM, PRODUCT
[33:31] ,A CHALLENGE IS THAT SOME
[33:33] OF THE PRODUCTS DON'T SAY THAT
[33:35] WORD ON THEM.
[33:37] UM, AND SO THEY'RE THE THE UH
[33:40] RETAILER EDUCATION NEEDS TO
[33:42] INVOLVE THINGS LIKE HERE ARE
[33:44] PICTURES OF THE PRODUCTS THAT
[33:45] UM THAT ARE COVERED BY THIS
[33:47] ORDINANCE OR BY THIS BY THIS
[33:49] ORDER.
[33:50] UM, SO THAT'S A THAT'S A
[33:53] CHALLENGE WITH A LOT OF, YOU
[33:56] KNOW, LOCAL REGULATION BUT I
[33:57] WOULD SAY THE UM THE INSPECTORS
[34:01] GET A GOOD SENSE OF WHAT THE
[34:02] WHAT THE RETAIL MARKET LOOKS
[34:04] LIKE AND AND DO THEIR BEST TO
[34:06] TO STAY ON TOP OF ANY UM, ANY
[34:09] LAW THAT THEY'RE CHARGED WITH
[34:10] ENFORCING.
[34:10] WITH LAB WITH LABORATORY
[34:13] TESTING BEING NECESSARY TO
[34:15] ACTUALLY ENFORCE IT JUST LIKE
[34:20] UM TAKING A COCAINE FOR THE
[34:22] REST.
[34:23] NO.
[34:24] THEY HAVE TO THEY GO TO THE
[34:26] LAB AND THEY TEST IT.
[34:28] WOULD THAT HAVE TO BE.
[34:32] THE SAME IN THIS CASE?
[34:34] IT COULD WELL BE THAT THAT WE
[34:37] WOULD AND WE'VE WE'VE DONE THAT
[34:38] WITH CERTAIN NICOTINE PRODUCTS
[34:41] TO TEST THEIR YOU KNOW HOW MANY
[34:43] MILLIGRAMS OF NICOTINE
[34:45] E-CIGARETTES HAD IN THEM EARLY
[34:46] ON BEFORE THERE.
[34:46] WAS MUCH MUCH.
[34:47] DATA I WOULD SAY THAT'S AN AREA
[34:51] WHERE IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR
[34:52] THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BE
[34:54] INVOLVED IN SETTING, UH,
[34:56] SETTING UP THE FLOOR SO THAT WE
[34:58] KNOW THAT IF YOU'RE UM YOU
[35:02] KNOW, IF YOU'RE ABOVE A CERTAIN
[35:04] AMOUNT YOU'RE YOU CAN'T BE ON
[35:06] THE SHELVES.
[35:07] I WOULD UM YEAH, I WOULD SAY IF
[35:10] WE DO SORT OF SET A TIERED UM
[35:14] APPROACH WE WOULD NEED TO KEEP
[35:17] A CLOSE EYE ON THE PRODUCTS
[35:21] THAT ARE APPROVED TRYING TO BE
[35:23] AS CLOSE TO THE LINE AS
[35:24] POSSIBLE AND MAKE SURE THAT
[35:26] THE, UM, ANY INSPECTORS OR LAW
[35:29] ENFORCEMENT, UM STAFF WHO ARE
[35:31] OUT IN THE.
[35:32] FIELD KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR.
[35:36] SO YOUR PREFERENCE WOULD BE FOR
[35:38] THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO SET A
[35:42] NATIONAL STANDARD.
[35:45] I THINK ACKNOWLEDGING THAT YOU
[35:46] KNOW, THESE PRODUCTS ESPECIALLY
[35:48] THE THE HIGHLY CONCENTRATED AND
[35:51] SYNTHESIZED PRODUCTS ARE UH, A
[35:53] PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARD THAT THAT
[35:56] IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR THEM TO BE
[35:58] TREATED AS SUCH AND TO SET THE
[36:00] RECOGNITION THAT THERE'S NO
[36:02] ACCEPTABLE MEDICAL USE FOR THEM
[36:03] AND UM, THAT WOULD HELP A LOT
[36:07] AT THE LOCAL LEVEL WHERE WE'RE
[36:09] STILL HERE TO UM TO ENSURE
[36:13] COMPLIANCE.
[36:13] BUT IF THERE WERE UM A STANDARD
[36:17] SET FOR THE COUNTRY THAT THAT
[36:19] COULD BE HELPFUL.
[36:21] SO IN THIS ORDINANCE IT ALLOWS
[36:23] NATURAL LEAVE LEAVE POWER TO
[36:28] QUALIFY EXCELLENCE WHILE
[36:32] PROHIBITING PRODUCTS IN WHICH
[36:33] NATURALLY OCCURRING
[36:36] CONSTITUENTS HAVE BEEN
[36:37] UNOFFICIALLY COUNTED,
[36:40] CONCENTRATED OR ALTERED.
[36:42] IS THAT DISTINCTION
[36:44] SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR FOR
[36:45] RETAILERS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT
[36:46] THEY CAN AND CANNOT SELL AND
[36:49] FOR THE CITY TO ENFORCE?
[36:52] I WOULD SUGGEST I MEAN I THINK
[36:54] THE ANSWER IS THAT THIS THIS
[36:56] WILL BE CHALLENGING WITH A
[36:57] RANGE OF PRODUCTS THAT LOOK
[36:59] ANYTHING LIKE UM YOU KNOW
[37:02] TEABAGS TO TO SORT OF SOME
[37:04] OF THE PRODUCTS THAT WE'RE MORE
[37:05] FAMILIAR WITH.
[37:07] UM SO I.
[37:09] AGAIN I THINK IT'S.
[37:10] UM IT'S INCUMBENT ON AGENCIES
[37:12] THAT ARE ENFORCING TO TO BE
[37:14] ABLE TO TO GIVE THAT GUIDANCE
[37:17] AND UM AND I THINK THERE'S A
[37:19] DIALOG WITH THE UM WITH THE
[37:23] MANUFACTURERS THAT PRODUCE
[37:25] THESE PRODUCTS THAT IF UM IF
[37:29] THEY WANT TO SELL IN THIS
[37:30] MARKET THEY THEY NEED TO HAVE A
[37:32] COMPLIANT, UM UH, COMPLIANT
[37:36] PRODUCTS.
[37:38] I'VE GOT TO 20S ONE LAST
[37:41] QUESTION.
[37:41] THE ORDINANCE INCLUDES AGE
[37:44] RESTRICTIONS BUT DOESN'T APPEAR
[37:46] TO ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE
[37:48] CAMPUS AND AND COMPREHENSIVE
[37:51] TESTING OR LABELING SUPERVISOR.
[37:56] CONSIDER INCORPORATING ANY
[37:58] OF THESE ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS
[38:00] .
[38:02] I WOULD I WOULD WELCOME
[38:03] CONVERSATION ON THAT.
[38:05] I DO THINK SOME OF THOSE THINGS
[38:06] ARE CHALLENGING TO DO AT THE
[38:08] LOCAL LEVEL.
[38:10] UM, BUT I THINK THE BUILDING IN
[38:13] THE THE ABILITY TO TEST TO
[38:15] CONFIRM IS IS FAIR.
[38:17] I ALSO THINK THERE'S A MORE
[38:18] GENERAL POINT PROBABLY ABOUT
[38:20] UM, THE ABILITY TO TO ISSUE
[38:24] REGULATIONS THAT SPELL OUT SOME
[38:25] OF THE MORE THE MORE SPECIFIC
[38:27] NUANCES THAT ARE JUST HARD TO
[38:29] LEGISLATE ONCE.
[38:31] WHAT ABOUT THE AGE RESTRICTION?
[38:35] I THINK IT'S AN APPROPRIATE WAY
[38:37] OF OF THINKING ABOUT THE
[38:40] PRODUCTS THAT MAY NOT PRESENT
[38:42] AS MUCH OF A PUBLIC HEALTH
[38:44] HARM.
[38:45] UH, AND AGAIN, I THINK IT'S
[38:46] IT'S ALSO FAIR TO LOOK AT HOW
[38:48] OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE HANDLING
[38:50] PRODUCTS THAT AREN'T OUTRIGHT
[38:51] BANNED, ARE THEY?
[38:53] UM ARE THEY DO AGE RESTRICTIONS
[38:55] ARE CHALLENGING TO ENFORCE BUT
[38:57] DOES REQUIRE AN INVESTMENT
[39:00] OF RESOURCES TO MAKE SURE THAT
[39:01] YOU'RE YOU KNOW, DOING
[39:02] COMPLIANCE CHECKS AND THINGS
[39:04] AND AND HOLDING RETAILERS TO
[39:06] IT.
[39:07] SO THERE ARE UM, YOU KNOW,
[39:10] THERE IMPLEMENTATION REASONS
[39:12] WHY THAT'S HARD AND AGAIN WHY A
[39:15] A COMPLETE BAN IS EASIER BUT
[39:17] MIGHT NOT GET AT SOME OF THE
[39:18] NUANCE OF WHERE THE THE RISK
[39:20] IS.
[39:20] THANK YOU DEPUTY COMMISSIONER.
[39:22] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
[39:23] THANK YOU, COUNCILOR CULPEPPER.
[39:24] UM, JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT
[39:26] WE'VE BEEN JOINED BY
[39:26] COUNCIL EARL.
[39:27] UM, I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION
[39:28] JUST FOLLOWING HIS, UH, HIS
[39:30] QUESTION BECAUSE IT WAS, UM,
[39:31] GOING TO BE A PART OF MY UM MY
[39:33] PORTION HERE BUT THE THE
[39:34] TESTING AND, UM, UNDERSTANDING
[39:37] THAT AND I'M STILL LEARNING
[39:38] THIS IN REAL TIME SO I
[39:39] APOLOGIZE AT THE SEEMS
[39:40] ELEMENTARY BUT THE NATURAL LEAF
[39:42] LEAF POWDER TEA CERTAIN
[39:43] EXTRACTS ALL OF THAT WE WOULD
[39:45] STILL THEORETICALLY HAVE TO
[39:46] TEST THAT FOR POTENCY.
[39:47] IS THAT CORRECT?
[39:49] WE WOULD HAVE THE.
[39:50] I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD HAVE
[39:52] THE UM THE ABILITY TO I THINK A
[39:55] BETTER OUTCOME IS THAT UM
[39:57] RETAILERS ARE HELD TO A OR THAT
[40:00] MANUFACTURERS ARE HELD TO A
[40:01] STANDARD WHERE THEY SORT
[40:02] OF MAKE UP, YOU KNOW, IF IF THE
[40:05] FEDERAL OR EVEN STATE OR LOCAL
[40:09] AMOUNT WAS SET AT 0.05 THAT
[40:12] THEY'RE REQUIRED TO SAY WHAT
[40:14] SAY WHAT THE PERCENTAGES WHAT
[40:17] THE CONCENTRATION IS ON THE
[40:18] PACKAGING UM NAME THAT INCLUDES
[40:20] THESE CHEMICALS AND UM AND THEN
[40:25] THAT THERE ARE ALWAYS BAD
[40:28] ACTORS BUT THAT WOULD AT LEAST
[40:29] REMOVE UH THE BASELINE
[40:31] OF NEEDING TO CREATE AN
[40:33] INVENTORY FROM SCRATCH OF EVERY
[40:35] PRODUCT AND THAT'S
[40:36] CONCENTRATION OKAY.
[40:37] AND WHAT YOU WERE SAYING IS
[40:38] THAT THE FEDS HAVEN'T COME DOWN
[40:40] WITH ANY SPECIFIC GUIDANCE
[40:41] ABOUT WHAT THE RIGHT POTENCY
[40:44] IS.
[40:45] IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S LIKE IT'S
[40:46] IN PROCESS AND AND THE EXACT
[40:47] AMOUNT AND OTHER COMMENTERS UH
[40:51] FROM THE THE NEXT PANEL MAY MAY
[40:53] HAVE MORE OF THE BACKGROUND BUT
[40:55] I THINK THAT'S WHERE SOME
[40:57] OF THE UM THE DELAY IN THE
[40:59] FEDERAL RULEMAKING IS COMING
[41:01] FROM THIS IS THAT OKAY.
[41:02] THAT.
[41:03] DECISION MAKING AROUND THE
[41:04] CONCENTRATION.
[41:04] AND WITH THE CANNABIS UM
[41:06] CANNABINOIDS.
[41:07] DID WE WAS ISD.
[41:08] THE LEADING ADMINISTRATIVE
[41:09] AGENCY AS IT RELATES TO TESTING
[41:12] OR DID WE IS THAT A DID WE DO
[41:14] LOCALIZED TESTING.
[41:15] YEAH.
[41:16] SO WITH WITH K2 IT WAS IT
[41:18] WAS AN OUTRIGHT BAN AND IT WAS
[41:19] ENFORCED BY.
[41:20] BPD OKAY.
[41:22] AND I THINK THERE WAS UH UM YOU
[41:25] KNOW A STRONG PUBLIC AWARENESS
[41:28] PUSH AT THE START I DON'T
[41:30] RECALL DATA ON YOU KNOW, WITH
[41:33] WITH EVERY YOU KNOW, REGULATORY
[41:36] EXERCISE WE WE STRIVE FOR
[41:38] COMPLIANCE RATHER THAN UM THAN
[41:41] PUNISHMENT.
[41:42] BUT YEAH, I DON'T HAVE AS MUCH
[41:44] OF THAT DATA ON ME.
[41:45] THANK YOU.
[41:45] UM I APOLOGIZE COUNCIL ORAL.
[41:47] DID YOU DID YOU WANT TO ASK HIM
[41:49] QUESTIONS?
[41:49] DID YOU HAVE ANY OR YOU CAN
[41:50] PROVIDE ANY REMARKS THAT YOU
[41:51] MAKE.
[41:51] AT THIS POINT?
[41:52] UH THANK YOU CHAIR.
[41:53] AND THANK YOU,
[41:54] COUNCILOR FITZGERALD.
[41:54] UM, FOR UH, HAVING A HEARING
[41:57] PREVIOUSLY ON THIS AND THEN
[41:59] BRINGING THIS LANGUAGE INTO AN
[42:00] ORDINANCE FORM.
[42:01] UM, RIGHT NOW I DON'T HAVE ANY
[42:02] QUESTIONS HERE TO LISTEN AND
[42:04] LEARN.
[42:04] UM, BUT WANT TO BE SUPPORTIVE
[42:07] OF THE ORDINANCE, UM, TO MAKE
[42:09] SURE THAT, UH, WE ARE DOING
[42:10] EVERYTHING WE CAN ON THE CITY
[42:12] LEVEL.
[42:12] UH, SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE
[42:13] AND AGAIN, THANK YOU TO MY
[42:15] COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR WORK ON
[42:16] THIS TOPIC.
[42:17] THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
[42:18] UM, OKAY, I'LL GIVE MYSELF, UH
[42:20] ,SIX MINUTES SINCE I TOOK UP
[42:22] SOME SPACE HERE.
[42:23] UM, SO MY I DO AGREE THAT WE
[42:26] NEED TO PUT SOMETHING FORWARD
[42:27] AND I WANT TO SUPPORT THE LEAD
[42:28] SPONSOR HERE.
[42:30] MY GOAL IS TO POTENTIALLY
[42:31] CONVERT IT INTO A CONTINGENT
[42:32] FRAMEWORK SHOULD THE, UM, THE
[42:35] LAWSUIT BE SUCCESSFUL AND I
[42:38] DON'T.
[42:38] KNOW OF AND THIS IS MY MY NEXT
[42:40] QUESTION TO YOU I DON'T KNOW
[42:41] BEYOND THE UM THE LEGISLATION
[42:43] THAT I THINK.
[42:45] IT IS IN COMMITTEE RIGHT.
[42:46] NOW TO REGULATE THIS.
[42:48] I DON'T KNOW IF THE STATE'S.
[42:50] READY TO PROMULGATE ANY RULES.
[42:52] SO I DO AGREE THAT WE.
[42:54] SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING ON THE
[42:55] BOOKS BUT MAKING IT INTO
[42:56] SOMETHING THAT WILL ALIGN.
[42:57] WITH STATE.
[42:59] REGS SHOULD IT UM SHOULD.
[43:00] THEY.
[43:00] ULTIMATELY COME DOWN?
[43:02] UM DO.
[43:02] YOU HAVE.
[43:03] WHAT ARE YOUR.
[43:03] CONVERSATIONS BEEN WITH THE
[43:04] STATE WITH.
[43:04] DPA OR UM CHIEF.
[43:07] GOLDSTEIN I DON'T KNOW WHAT HIS
[43:09] EXACT TITLE IS BUT.
[43:10] WHAT IS THEIR OUTLOOK.
[43:12] AND HOW CAN WE ALIGN THIS
[43:13] ORDINANCE WITH POTENTIALLY WHAT
[43:15] COULD HAPPEN?
[43:15] YEAH.
[43:16] SO I KNOW COMMISSIONER
[43:17] COUTU.
[43:18] AND.
[43:18] COMMISSIONER GOLDSTEIN HAVE
[43:19] HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH.
[43:21] I'VE I'VE SORT OF BEEN UM I'VE
[43:23] ENGAGED WITH THEIR OFFICE
[43:25] OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL HEALTH
[43:27] FOR ALL THE YOU KNOW, TECHNICAL
[43:28] ASSISTANCE AND UM AND TRAINING
[43:30] A LOT OF THESE ORDERS ARE, YOU
[43:33] KNOW, ISSUED BY DPI BUT THEY
[43:34] EXPECT UH, A LOT OF HELP IN
[43:36] ENFORCING THEM AT THE LOCAL
[43:37] LEVEL FROM LOCAL BOARDS
[43:39] OF HEALTH.
[43:39] SO AS I MENTIONED, WE'VE BEEN
[43:41] UM WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT IT'S
[43:44] MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY HAVE
[43:46] RULEMAKING A RULEMAKING PATHWAY
[43:48] AND THERE'S YOU I THINK THERE'S
[43:51] MY SENSE IS THAT THERE'S A HOPE
[43:53] THAT THIS WILL THIS WILL BY
[43:55] ENOUGH TIME THAT UM, THAT'S
[43:58] SOMETHING CAN HAPPEN IN THE
[43:59] LEGISLATURE AND THAT.
[44:01] SOME OF THESE.
[44:02] POLICY DECISIONS CAN BE MADE
[44:04] SORT OF NOT IN AN EXECUTIVE
[44:07] POSTURE, UH, OR A EMERGENCY
[44:09] ORDER POSTURE.
[44:10] UM, SO I WOULD SAY AGAIN THAT
[44:14] WE'RE SUPPORTIVE OF UM OF THE
[44:17] EFFORT TO DO SOMETHING IN THE
[44:19] SPACE.
[44:19] I THINK THERE'S UM THERE'S
[44:22] LIKELY AN OPPORTUNITY THAT
[44:23] EITHER IN LEGISLATION OR
[44:26] RULEMAKING THERE COULD BE SOME
[44:27] MORE UM, A MORE NUANCED
[44:30] FRAMEWORK AND FLEXIBILITIES FOR
[44:32] ,YOU KNOW, ENFORCEMENT AT BOTH
[44:34] THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL.
[44:36] I DO.
[44:37] APPRECIATE THE DPI.
[44:39] UM.
[44:41] UH, EXECUTIVE RULING HERE I
[44:42] THINK BECAUSE.
[44:43] THEY WERE.
[44:43] GETTING SOME WITH.
[44:44] THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH NEGATIVE.
[44:46] IMPACT ALREADY IN OUR
[44:47] COMMUNITIES.
[44:47] UM, THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THE UM,
[44:50] FAR.
[44:50] REACHING POWERS.
[44:51] THAT.
[44:52] HAS IF THERE'S.
[44:53] A PUBLIC.
[44:53] HEALTH CRISIS THEY CAN JUST ACT
[44:55] ACCORDINGLY AND SHUT IT DOWN.
[44:56] UM, BUT WE UNDERSTAND I THINK
[44:58] WE'RE ALL HERE AND, UM, REALIZE
[45:00] THAT THERE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE
[45:01] NUANCE TO THIS.
[45:02] I AGAIN, I'M STILL LEARNING THE
[45:03] .
[45:04] DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SYNTHESIZED
[45:06] AND UM.
[45:07] AND AND NATURAL.
[45:09] AND.
[45:09] I THINK AS.
[45:10] WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE
[45:11] PROCESS.
[45:12] UM I'LL OBVIOUSLY LEARN A
[45:13] LITTLE BIT MORE.
[45:14] MY MY MAIN.
[45:15] CONCERN IS JUST YOU.
[45:16] KNOW, IF WE DO PASS THESE.
[45:17] RULES DOWN.
[45:19] AND IT'S.
[45:20] HERE AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL,
[45:21] WHAT STOPS.
[45:21] SOMEBODY FROM GOING.
[45:22] INTO BROOKLINE OR CHELSEA OR
[45:24] REVERE OR WHEREVER AND JUST
[45:26] GETTING UM.
[45:27] AND JUST.
[45:29] PURCHASING THIS.
[45:29] ANYWAY SO THAT'S.
[45:30] WHY I.
[45:31] THINK.
[45:31] STATE REGS ARE ARE PREFERRED
[45:32] BUT I DON'T SEE ANY ISSUE WITH
[45:34] PASSING SOMETHING.
[45:35] DOWN AT THE CITY LEVEL.
[45:37] UM THERE ARE SOME THINGS HERE
[45:38] WHERE YOU KNOW I WANT IT IT HAS
[45:40] BPD BEING THE LEAD ENFORCEMENT
[45:42] AGENCY.
[45:42] YOU KNOW WHAT ROLE.
[45:43] WILL PLAY?
[45:47] UM WHAT ROLE DO YOU ENVISION
[45:49] ISDN LICENSING.
[45:50] PLAYING IF YOU CAN SPEAK TO.
[45:51] THAT A LITTLE BIT.
[45:52] IF WE WERE TO PASS DOWN THESE
[45:54] RULES.
[45:54] SURE.
[45:55] SO I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR
[45:56] ISD BUT I CAN SAY IN IN THE WAY
[45:59] THAT DELEGATES ENFORCEMENT
[46:02] AUTHORITY TO LOCAL BOARDS
[46:03] OF HEALTH IN BOSTON, THE DUTIES
[46:05] OF LOCAL BOARDS OF HEALTH ARE
[46:06] SORT OF SHARED BETWEEN BBFC AND
[46:08] ISD.
[46:08] SO THE ASPECTS OF IT RELATED TO
[46:10] THE FOOD CODE COULD BE ENFORCED
[46:12] BY ISD.
[46:13] I ACTUALLY THINK THAT IS LESS
[46:16] OF THE BULK OF THE.
[46:18] PRODUCT IN.
[46:19] BOSTON BECAUSE THEY FOCUS ON
[46:21] PREPARED FOODS AND I JUST DON'T
[46:23] TO MY KNOWLEDGE I DON'T THINK
[46:24] THAT THAT'S A BIG CREATE THEM
[46:26] MARKET.
[46:28] UM BUT THEY ARE THEY'RE
[46:29] SIMILARLY AUTHORIZED TO US TO
[46:32] TO ENFORCE THROUGH LOCAL PUBLIC
[46:33] HEALTH STATUTES.
[46:35] UM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT
[46:37] QUESTIONS I WOULD DEFER TO BPD
[46:39] .
[46:39] BECAUSE IT IS A LITTLE UNIQUE
[46:41] IN THAT THE ORDER MADE CREATE A
[46:44] SCHEDULE ONE SUBSTANCE BUT THEN
[46:46] DIDN'T ASSIGN IT A CLASS.
[46:48] SO YOU TALKED ABOUT THE STATE
[46:49] ORDER.
[46:49] GOD BLESS YOU.
[46:50] YES.
[46:50] THAT'S TO SAY THE STATE'S
[46:51] ORDERS ARE DOING ASSIGN IT TO
[46:54] CLASS A, B, C OR D.
[46:56] SO I THINK THAT MEANS THAT YOU
[46:58] CAN'T NECESSARILY BE ARRESTED
[46:59] FOR DRUG POSSESSION IN THE SAME
[47:02] WAY.
[47:03] UM BUT IT IS STILL A CRIMINAL
[47:05] OFFENSE.
[47:07] UM SO.
[47:08] I, I THINK THERE ARE PROBABLY
[47:14] OTHER WAYS THAT ENFORCEMENT
[47:16] COULD BE COULD BE STRUCTURED
[47:18] BUT IN BOSTON I THINK IN SHORT
[47:20] THERE COULD BE A ROLE FOR FOR
[47:21] BPD.
[47:22] I THINK UM THERE COULD
[47:24] CERTAINLY BE A ROLE FOR US IN
[47:26] REFERRING NON VIOLATORS THAT
[47:28] WE'RE YOU KNOW WHEN WE DO OUR
[47:30] INSPECTIONS WE DO THAT A LOT
[47:31] WITH OTHER PRODUCTS THAT WE
[47:32] KNOW ARE ILLEGAL TO POSSESS OR
[47:34] SO THAT WE WILL REFER OVER TO
[47:36] BPD.
[47:37] UM SO I WOULD ENVISION THAT FOR
[47:38] A LOT OF OUR UM A LOT OF OUR
[47:40] TOBACCO.
[47:41] INSPECTION WORK.
[47:43] UM AND AGAIN I THINK IF IF THE
[47:47] UM IF THE STATE LAW CALLED FOR
[47:49] A ROBUST STATE LEVEL
[47:51] ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM.
[47:52] THEN WE WOULD ENGAGE THERE AS
[47:54] WELL.
[47:56] UM, YOU HAD MENTIONED
[47:58] COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING.
[47:59] I THINK THERE'S.
[48:00] A.
[48:00] WAY TO DOES THIS ORDINANCE
[48:03] INCLUDE COMMERCIAL
[48:04] MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION
[48:04] OR IS IT JUST.
[48:06] UM LIMITING FOR POSSESSION AND
[48:08] USE?
[48:08] YEAH I DON'T THINK IT HAS
[48:11] MANUFACTURING.
[48:11] OKAY.
[48:12] THEN WE YEAH WE CAN PUT
[48:13] MANUFACTURING.
[48:13] I JUST WANTED TO CALL THAT OUT
[48:14] BECAUSE WE HAD.
[48:15] MENTIONED THAT BUT YEAH
[48:15] COMMERCIAL.
[48:15] MANUFACTURING DISTRIBUTION
[48:17] ADVERTISING.
[48:17] AND SALE.
[48:20] UM WE.
[48:21] CAN PUT THAT IN THERE.
[48:22] BUT THAT'S MY TIME.
[48:24] UM SORRY MY LAST QUESTION IS.
[48:26] WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET
[48:27] ADDITIONAL.
[48:27] RESOURCES TO.
[48:28] ENFORCE THIS BAN UM, OR
[48:31] EMERGENCY ORDER.
[48:31] THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO GIVE US
[48:33] HOLD ON A SECOND.
[48:33] RECEIVE ADDITIONAL ENFORCEMENT
[48:35] AUTHORITY.
[48:36] AND THEN ALSO EXPANDING PUBLIC
[48:38] EDUCATION OVERDOSE.
[48:39] INFORMATION TREATMENT
[48:39] RESOURCES.
[48:40] FOR.
[48:40] PEOPLE WHO USE KRATOM.
[48:41] OR EXPERIENCED DEPENDANCE AND
[48:43] WITHDRAWAL.
[48:43] WHAT WE.
[48:44] ACTUALLY GET FROM THE STATE
[48:44] HAVE WE GOTTEN IT YET?
[48:46] HAVE WE DEPLOYED IT?
[48:47] I DON'T.
[48:48] KNOW THAT WE'VE RECEIVED ANY
[48:50] FINANCIAL RESOURCES, BUT A LOT
[48:52] OF THOSE MATERIALS YOU KNOW,
[48:53] TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TYPE
[48:54] OF MATERIALS ARE WERE MADE
[48:57] AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY.
[48:58] WE'VE WE'VE DONE UM WE'VE DONE
[49:01] A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT ROUNDS
[49:03] OF PUBLIC AWARENESS AROUND
[49:05] KRATOM BUT UM I WOULDN'T SAY
[49:07] THAT WE'VE RECEIVED ANY SORT
[49:11] OF STAFFING INCREASE OR
[49:12] ANYTHING LIKE THAT TO SUPPORT.
[49:13] OKAY THANK YOU.
[49:15] AND WE'LL GO DO UH A SECOND
[49:18] ROUND IF FOLKS WANT UM I'LL
[49:20] PASS IT TO THE LEAD SPONSOR AND
[49:22] THEN WE'LL DO ANOTHER ROUND
[49:24] OF COUNSELORS IF THEY HAVE MORE
[49:25] QUESTIONS AND THEN WE'LL
[49:25] ACTUALLY I SAID PUBLIC
[49:26] TESTIMONY TESTIMONY WILL HAPPEN
[49:28] AT THE END.
[49:29] BUT WE HAVE SO MUCH PUBLIC
[49:30] TESTIMONY PEOPLE WAITING ON.
[49:31] LINE THAT WILL DISPERSE AT
[49:32] THROUGHOUT THE HEARING.
[49:33] SO AFTER QUESTIONS WILL GO TO
[49:34] PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
[49:35] AND THEN WE HAVE A SECOND
[49:36] PANEL.
[49:37] UM COUNCILOR FITZGERALD, YOU
[49:37] HAVE THE FLOOR FOR FOUR
[49:38] MINUTES.
[49:39] THANK YOU.
[49:39] MADAM CHAIR.
[49:40] I'LL KEEP THIS SHORT BECAUSE I.
[49:41] KNOW WE DO HAVE A LOT
[49:41] OF TESTIMONY.
[49:42] I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE.
[49:42] DO GET.
[49:43] TO IT, BUT, UM, I ACTUALLY
[49:45] THINK ABOUT SOME OF YOU JUST.
[49:46] MENTIONED ABOUT WHAT FOLKS
[49:47] FOLKS COULD STILL GO TO
[49:48] BROOKLINE OR.
[49:49] EVEN IF WE HAVE IT ON THE.
[49:50] BOOKS AND ACTUALLY THE MAYOR
[49:51] OF.
[49:51] LOWELL CALLED ME SEVERAL
[49:52] MONTHS.
[49:52] AGO UH, AND SAID THEY HAVE A.
[49:55] SIMILAR ORDINANCE ON THEIR
[49:56] BOOKS.
[49:56] BUT THE SURROUNDING.
[49:57] TOWNS AROUND THEM THAT DO NOT.
[49:59] AND IT POSES A THREAT AND WHAT.
[50:01] HIS ACTUAL.
[50:02] UH, CALLING TO ME WAS ABOUT WAS
[50:04] SAYING PLEASE MOVE.
[50:05] FORWARD AS A LEADER IN THE CITY
[50:06] WITH BOSTON AS A LEADER IN THE
[50:08] STATE SO.
[50:09] THAT THE OTHER.
[50:09] CITIES AND.
[50:10] TOWNS AROUND.
[50:11] US.
[50:11] THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH
[50:12] COULD MAYBE FOLLOW SUIT.
[50:14] AND SO I DO TAKE THAT UH, THAT
[50:16] THAT SERIOUSLY, UH, ESPECIALLY
[50:18] WHEN YOU GET CALLS FROM OTHER
[50:19] PARTS OF THE STATE SAYING HEY,
[50:20] WE NEED YOU GUYS TO LEAD ON
[50:22] THIS.
[50:23] UM, AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE
[50:25] AS A BODY UH, ARE DOING.
[50:27] UM, SO WITH THAT, UM, I DON'T
[50:30] HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.
[50:32] I THINK I MIGHT HAVE SOME MORE
[50:33] FOR THE SECOND PANEL.
[50:34] UH, BUT I JUST WANT TO THANK
[50:36] YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR
[50:37] COOPERATION.
[50:38] UH, MR MCCANN AT THE BOSTON
[50:40] PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION TO TO
[50:41] YOU AND ALL YOUR STAFF AND
[50:42] DOCTOR OJUKWU TO UM AND LOOKING
[50:44] FOR A REASONABLE WAY FORWARD
[50:46] THAT WE CAN PROTECT THE UH OUR
[50:49] CONSTITUENTS UM, FROM WHAT IS
[50:51] UH YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE UH, AT
[50:53] THIS POINT, UH, WHETHER THE
[50:54] DATA SHOWS THAT OR NOT, UH, THE
[50:56] SYNTHETIC USE IS DANGEROUS.
[50:58] UM, AND IT IS BECOMING MORE
[51:00] COMMONPLACE AMONG THOSE FACING
[51:02] ADDICTION, UH, AND ACTUALLY
[51:03] THROWING THEM FURTHER INTO THE
[51:05] THROES OF ADDICTION AND, UM,
[51:07] AND IT'S ONLY THAT MUCH HARDER
[51:09] TO GET OUT AND SO, UM, I LOOK
[51:11] FORWARD TO CONTINUE WORKING
[51:12] WITH YOU AND THANK YOU VERY
[51:13] MUCH, JIM.
[51:14] THANK YOU.
[51:15] THANK YOU,
[51:15] COUNCILOR FITZGERALD.
[51:16] UM, COUNCILOR FLYNN.
[51:18] YEAH.
[51:18] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR AGAIN
[51:19] THANK YOU TO, UH, PJ FOR BEING
[51:21] HERE FOR THE IMPORTANT WORK YOU
[51:24] HAVE PROVIDED NOT JUST ON THIS
[51:26] ISSUE BUT ON OTHER ISSUES, UM,
[51:28] PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES ACROSS THE
[51:30] CITY ACROSS THE STATE.
[51:32] IN MARCH I WROTE A LETTER TO
[51:34] DOCTOR OJUKWU TO UM
[51:37] SPECIFICALLY ON THIS ISSUE.
[51:39] I JUST WANT TO TAKE ONE MINUTE
[51:40] TO READ THIS LETTER INTO THE
[51:42] RECORD.
[51:42] DEAR DOCTOR OJUKWU TO I'M READY
[51:46] TO RESPECTFULLY REQUEST A BAN
[51:48] OF THE SALE OF KRATOM IN THE
[51:49] CITY OF BOSTON.
[51:50] CURRENTLY KRATOM IS ILLEGAL TO
[51:52] BUY, SELL, POSSESS OR USE IN
[51:56] ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, INDIANA,
[51:58] RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT IN
[52:01] WISCONSIN MORE LOCALLY IN 2025
[52:04] THE MANUFACTURING, SALE AND
[52:07] DISTRIBUTION OF KRATOM WAS
[52:08] BANNED IN LOWELL, DRACUT AND
[52:11] CHELMSFORD.
[52:13] IN JANUARY, RESIDENTS REPORTED
[52:14] THAT A STORE WAS SELLING
[52:16] PRODUCTS INCLUDING KRATOM,
[52:20] NITROUS OXIDE REFILLS, THC
[52:24] PRODUCTS, THC PRODUCTS AND
[52:28] SYNTHETIC URINE MARKED TO
[52:29] DEFEAT DRUG TESTING.
[52:31] KRATOM IS A.
[52:35] PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE THAT CAN
[52:38] POSSESS SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC
[52:39] HEALTH CONCERNS.
[52:40] THE U.S DRUG THE US FOOD AND
[52:44] DRUG ADMINISTRATION HAS WARNED
[52:45] THAT KRATOM CAN LEAD TO
[52:47] DEPENDANCE AND WITHDRAWAL
[52:47] SYMPTOMS SIMILAR TO OPIATES
[52:49] INCLUDING IRRITABILITY,
[52:52] INSOMNIA, MUSCLE ACHES AND
[52:53] NAUSEA.
[52:54] REGULAR USE CAN ALSO HAS ALSO
[52:56] BEEN LINKED TO LIVER CHALLENGES
[52:59] ,SEIZURES, HEART COMPLICATIONS
[53:01] AND THE RISK INCREASES WHEN
[53:04] KRATOM IS MIXED WITH OTHER
[53:06] DRUGS IN ALCOHOL OR ALCOHOL.
[53:09] AS A RESULT, I AM RESPECTFULLY
[53:11] REQUESTING THAT THE BOSTON
[53:12] PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION TAKE
[53:13] THE NECESSARY STEPS TO BAN THE
[53:15] SALE OF CREATIVE IN THE CITY
[53:16] OF BOSTON AND I WROTE THIS TO
[53:18] DOCTOR OJUKWU IN MARCH 9TH
[53:21] 2026.
[53:21] I JUST WANTED TO GET THAT ON
[53:23] THE RECORD UM, BECAUSE I KNOW
[53:25] SOME OF THE SOME OF THOSE
[53:27] SUBJECTS THAT WE DISCUSSED UM
[53:29] THAT I ASKED QUESTIONS ON UM I
[53:32] COULD HAVE PROVIDED A LITTLE
[53:33] BIT MORE BACKGROUND
[53:34] INFORMATION.
[53:36] UM, SO I THOUGHT IT WAS
[53:37] IMPORTANT TO GET THIS ON THE
[53:38] RECORD, BUT I JUST WANT TO
[53:40] FOLLOW UP ON WHAT
[53:42] COUNCILOR FITZGERALD MENTIONED
[53:43] AND I AGREE WITH THEM THAT WHEN
[53:45] WHEN LOWELL UM BANDED SO DID IN
[53:49] DRAKE AND CHELMSFORD WHICH ARE
[53:50] NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES THEY'RE
[53:52] UP IN THE AIR NOT SURE MY WIFE
[53:53] IS MY WIFE IS FROM LOWELL.
[53:55] UM I KNOW THAT AREA VERY WELL
[53:58] AND I THINK COUNCIL CUT AS
[54:00] APART TO MENTION IT AS WELL.
[54:01] BUT IF IT IS.
[54:02] BANNED IN BOSTON AND NOT IN
[54:04] OTHER.
[54:05] AREAS CHELSEA, WINTHROP,
[54:07] REVERE, SAUGUS, QUINCY,
[54:10] BRAINTREE BUT WHAT IMPACT DOES
[54:12] THAT HAVE IF IF THE STATE
[54:15] DOESN'T GO FORWARD WITH THAT?
[54:17] YEAH BECAUSE IT'S A GREAT
[54:19] QUESTION.
[54:19] THERE'S ALWAYS RISK THAT YOU
[54:22] KNOW PEOPLE WILL JUST CROSS.
[54:24] THE BORDER INTO A
[54:25] NEIGHBORING TOWN TO PURCHASE.
[54:27] UM, WE'VE SEEN THAT WITH
[54:29] CERTAIN TOBACCO.
[54:30] CONTROL RESTRICTIONS THAT WE'VE
[54:31] PASSED BEFORE THE STATE AND
[54:33] OTHERS HAVE I'VE SEEN ONE THAT.
[54:37] THEY BECAUSE A LOT OF THE
[54:38] CONSUMPTION PATTERNS OF THESE
[54:40] PRODUCTS ARE YOU KNOW, THEY'RE
[54:41] IN CONVENIENCE STORES SO
[54:42] THEY'RE SORT OF YOU.
[54:44] KNOW.
[54:44] THEY ARE PURCHASED WHERE PEOPLE
[54:47] LIVE AND IF IT'S JUST THAT MUCH
[54:49] HARDER TO TO GET THE PRODUCT
[54:51] THAT THE USE WILL WILL
[54:52] GRADUALLY DECREASE.
[54:54] I THINK MORE IMPORTANTLY THOUGH
[54:56] IS THE THE SORT.
[54:57] OF DYNAMIC.
[54:58] THAT YOU'RE THAT YOU'RE ALL
[54:59] I THINK TOUCHING UPON IS THAT
[55:01] ONCE YOU HAVE THE LARGEST CITY
[55:03] IN THE STATE.
[55:04] UM.
[55:05] TAKE AN ACTION IT'S IT'S
[55:08] EASIER FOR THAT TO BE SORT.
[55:10] OF THE.
[55:11] DEFAULT AND FOR THE AND FOR
[55:13] STATE BILLS TO TO PASS.
[55:15] WE'VE SEEN THAT WITH WITH A LOT
[55:16] OF OTHER THINGS THAT BOSTON HAS
[55:18] DONE EITHER.
[55:19] AS A BOARD OF HEALTH REGULATION
[55:21] OR.
[55:21] ORDINANCE WHAT WHAT.
[55:25] 111 FINAL QUESTION UM.
[55:28] ,IS.
[55:29] KRATOM MORE POTENT THAN THC
[55:35] AND OR UM WE WE DON'T
[55:39] NECESSARILY TEST IF SOMEONE'S
[55:42] DRIVING AN AUTOMOBILE AND
[55:43] TESTING THEM FOR.
[55:45] THC YOU DO FOR ALCOHOL NOT FOR
[55:49] THC BUT HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF
[55:52] SOMEONE IS DRIVING AN
[55:53] AUTOMOBILE THAT'S UNDER THE
[55:54] INFLUENCE OF KRATOM.
[55:57] ?
[55:57] THAT'S THAT'S ANOTHER GREAT
[55:59] QUESTION AND I DON'T HAVE AN
[56:01] ANSWER TO IT BUT I WOULD I
[56:02] WOULD ADVISE AGAINST DRIVING ON
[56:07] ANY AMOUNT OF UH OF KRATOM.
[56:10] BUT BUT WHEN YOU'RE WHEN YOU'RE
[56:12] DRIVING AN AUTOMOBILE IF YOU
[56:14] GET PULLED OVER THEY.
[56:15] THEY AND.
[56:16] THEY THEY SUSPECT YOU
[56:18] OF DRIVING IMPAIRED THEY WOULD
[56:21] GIVE YOU A A BREATHALYZER TEST
[56:24] BUT THEY I DON'T BELIEVE THEY
[56:26] WOULD GIVE YOU ANOTHER TEST
[56:30] ANOTHER TEST OTHER THAN ALCOHOL
[56:32] TO DETERMINE WHAT SUBSTANCES
[56:33] ARE IN YOUR SYSTEM UNLESS
[56:35] UNLESS YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR I
[56:36] SHOULD GO TO THE HOSPITAL
[56:37] RATHER UM, JUST I GUESS
[56:39] SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT I I
[56:40] WAS I OFTEN THINK ABOUT THAT
[56:42] BECAUSE AGAIN AS A PROBATION
[56:44] OFFICER THESE THESE ARE THESE
[56:48] ARE PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS.
[56:49] BUT AGAIN PJ THANK YOU FOR THE
[56:51] IMPORTANT WORK YOU'RE DOING AND
[56:52] THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR.
[56:53] THANK YOU, COUNCILOR FLYNN.
[56:55] UM COUNCILOR CULPEPER, DO YOU
[56:56] HAVE.
[56:57] UH MADAM CHAIR I DON'T HAVE
[56:58] ANY QUESTIONS FOR DEPUTY MAYOR
[57:00] TIME.
[57:01] THANK YOU FOR COMING.
[57:02] I DO HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE
[57:03] SECOND PANEL.
[57:05] OKAY.
[57:05] UM, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, YOU
[57:06] ARE, UH, FREE TO STAY.
[57:09] I WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD STAY TO
[57:10] US TO THE PUBLIC THIS MORNING,
[57:11] BUT APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.
[57:12] THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[57:13] UH, YOU ARE RELIEVED FOR LACK
[57:14] OF A BETTER TERM.
[57:15] SO, UM, WE'LL NOW HEAR FROM
[57:17] PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
[57:19] WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS SIGNED
[57:21] UP AND THEN WE'LL GO TO OUR
[57:22] PANEL IF OUR PANELS WANT TO
[57:24] JUST COME DOWN AND TAKE A SEAT
[57:25] HERE WHILE WE, UM, LISTEN TO
[57:27] PUBLIC TESTIMONY, THE NEXT
[57:29] PANEL WILL CONSIST OF KIM UM
[57:32] HELLO.
[57:32] SENIOR FELLOW ON PUBLIC POLICY
[57:34] FROM THE AMERICAN FREEDOM
[57:35] ASSOCIATION SHELDON BRADSHAW
[57:37] WHO IS THE FDA REGULATORY
[57:39] COUNCILOR.
[57:39] UM, WHICH IS GREAT BECAUSE I
[57:41] HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT UH,
[57:42] FEDERAL REGS, UM, BOTANICALS
[57:44] FOR BETTER HEALTH AND WELLNESS.
[57:46] WE ACTUALLY WE ALSO HAVE
[57:47] MATTHEW LOWE WHO'S A VIRTUAL
[57:49] PARTICIPANT.
[57:49] HE'S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
[57:50] OF THE GLOBAL CREATE EMRS UH
[57:52] COALITION.
[57:52] EXCUSE ME, BUT FOR NOW WE'LL GO
[57:54] TO PUBLIC TESTIMONY I WILL
[57:55] WHAT'S THE FIRST FIVE?
[57:57] UM, WE HAVE CHRISTOPHER DEENEY
[58:00] ,ASHLEY DAVIDSON, MISTY BROWN
[58:04] WILLIAM JEFFREY REAGAN AND
[58:06] BRITTANY SEFTON.
[58:08] PLEASE GET READY TO TO TESTIFY
[58:10] FOR TWO MINUTES AND WE DO HAVE
[58:12] A LOT OF PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
[58:13] SO JUST ASKING UM IF YOU CAN
[58:15] RESPECT OTHERS WHO ARE ON THE
[58:16] CALL WHO WANT THEIR VOICES TO
[58:18] BE HEARD TO KEEP IT AT TWO
[58:19] MINUTES BUT UM, CHRISTOPHER,
[58:21] PLEASE, UH, TURN YOUR MIC ON.
[58:23] JUST STATE YOUR NAME.
[58:25] UH, AND AFFILIATION WHERE YOU
[58:26] LIVE.
[58:27] UH, AND YOU HAVE THE FLOOR IF
[58:29] YOU CAN HEAR AND SEE US.
[58:32] YES, I CAN SEE.
[58:33] UH CAN YOU HEAR ME?
[58:34] YES WE CAN.
[58:35] THANK YOU.
[58:36] HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY?
[58:37] UM.
[58:38] I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK A LITTLE
[58:39] BIT ABOUT NATURAL LEAVE KRATOM
[58:40] AND SAY THANK YOU FOR THIS
[58:42] ORDINANCE AND MAKING SURE THAT
[58:43] NATURALLY KRATOM STAY SAFE.
[58:45] I'VE BEEN A CONSUMER OF NATURAL
[58:46] WE'VE CREATED SINCE 2015.
[58:48] I MAKE A COUPLE CUPS OF TEA A
[58:49] DAY AND IT'S BEEN A GAME
[58:51] CHANGER IN MY OWN PERSONAL LIFE
[58:53] AND I JUST SUPPORT THE
[58:54] ORDINANCE.
[58:54] I THANK YOU AND UH, I'LL GIVE
[58:56] THE REST OF MY TIME FOR A LOT
[58:58] OF THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE
[58:59] SPEAKING TODAY.
[58:59] THANK YOU.
[59:01] WONDERFUL.
[59:02] WE LOVE THAT.
[59:03] BUT EVERYBODY PLEASE FEEL FREE
[59:05] TO TAKE UP YOUR TWO MINUTES AS
[59:06] WELL.
[59:07] UM ASHLEY DAVIDSON YOU NOW HAVE
[59:09] THE FLOOR.
[59:22] WELL, YOU HEAR ME?
[59:24] WE CAN HEAR YOU JUST FINE.
[59:25] OH, I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT.
[59:26] COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO
[59:27] UNMUTE.
[59:28] UM, I'M SPEAKING TODAY IN
[59:29] SUPPORT OF REGULATION FOR
[59:31] NATURAL KRATOM OVER TOTAL
[59:32] PROHIBITION.
[59:33] I THINK THE PROBLEM IS AND
[59:34] ALWAYS HAS BEEN THE SYNTHETIC
[59:35] DERIVATIVES.
[59:36] THERE'S ALSO EVIDENCE THEY'VE
[59:37] BEEN AROUND LONGER THAN WE
[59:38] ORIGINALLY THOUGHT.
[59:39] I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT REALLY
[59:40] QUICK THAT SOMETHING THAT'S
[59:41] BEEN BOTHERING ME THE FDA
[59:42] DOESN'T APPROVE ANY
[59:43] SUPPLEMENTS.
[59:43] VITAMINS AREN'T FDA APPROVED
[59:45] EITHER THAT DOESN'T MAKE THEM
[59:46] DANGEROUS OR INEFFECTIVE.
[59:47] AND THERE'S ALSO BEEN A DRUG
[59:49] APPROVED FOR HUMAN TRIALS RIGHT
[59:51] NOW MAJOR MAJOR DINING THERE IS
[59:53] UH IT ABSOLUTELY HAS POTENTIAL
[59:55] MEDICAL BENEFITS THAT ARE BEING
[59:57] RECOGNIZED.
[59:57] I'M ONE OF THE MANY PEOPLE
[59:58] WHOSE LIFE WAS SAVED BY NATURAL
[1:00:00] KRATOM AND A BAN DIRECTLY
[1:00:01] ENDANGERS MY LIFE.
[1:00:02] I'M DISABLED.
[1:00:03] I SUFFER FROM AGORAPHOBIA,
[1:00:04] PANIC DISORDER AND I WAS NEVER
[1:00:06] ABLE TO FIND A MEDICATION THAT
[1:00:07] WORKS.
[1:00:08] THE ONLY THING THAT USED TO
[1:00:09] HELP IT ALL UNFORTUNATELY WAS
[1:00:10] ALCOHOL.
[1:00:10] BUT ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO I
[1:00:11] DEVELOPED ALCOHOL INDUCED
[1:00:13] PANCREATITIS AND I ALMOST DIED.
[1:00:14] THEY TOLD ME IF I EVER DRINK
[1:00:15] AGAIN EVEN ONCE I WOULD DIE AND
[1:00:17] I BELIEVE THEM BECAUSE I WAS
[1:00:19] HOUSEBOUND I COULDN'T REALLY GO
[1:00:20] TO MEETINGS AND I WAS PRECLUDED
[1:00:21] FROM ANOTHER MEDICAL CONDITION
[1:00:23] FROM THE VERY FEW PRESCRIPTIONS
[1:00:24] AVAILABLE FOR ALCOHOL USE
[1:00:25] DISORDER I WAS COMPLETELY ON MY
[1:00:28] OWN.
[1:00:28] THERE'S NO ALTERNATIVES FOR
[1:00:29] ME WHEN SEARCHING FOR A SAFE
[1:00:31] ALTERNATIVE I FOUND NATURAL
[1:00:32] KRATOM AND NOT ONLY DID IT
[1:00:33] COMPLETELY ELIMINATE MY ALCOHOL
[1:00:35] CRAVINGS AND I NOW HAVE OVER
[1:00:36] FIVE YEARS SOBER, IT ACTUALLY
[1:00:38] STARTED HAVING A POSITIVE
[1:00:39] EFFECT ON MY ANXIETY UP TO THIS
[1:00:41] POINT I HAD FOUND NO MEDICATION
[1:00:42] THAT WORKED WHICH DIDN'T MAKE
[1:00:43] ME SO IMPAIRED I COULDN'T
[1:00:44] FUNCTION ANYWAY UH ONCE I
[1:00:46] REALIZED KRATOM WAS HELPING I
[1:00:47] WAS ABLE TO START DOING
[1:00:48] EXPOSURE THERAPY WHICH IS THE
[1:00:49] TREATMENT FOR A PHOBIA AND I
[1:00:50] MADE REAL PROGRESS.
[1:00:51] I EVEN TOOK MY DAD TO MARSHALL
[1:00:52] FAIR FOR HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY
[1:00:54] RECENTLY BEFORE KRATOM I
[1:00:55] THOUGHT I'D NEVER SEE HIM AGAIN
[1:00:57] .
[1:00:57] TO GO FROM COMPLETELY
[1:00:58] HOUSEBOUND TO MAKING MEMORIES
[1:00:59] AT THE FAIR WITH MY DAD IS
[1:01:00] NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE.
[1:01:02] SO MANY DOCTORS FAILED TO HELP
[1:01:04] ME.
[1:01:04] THERE'S NO ALTERNATIVE FOR
[1:01:05] ME TO RETURN TO.
[1:01:06] THERE'S JUST NOTHING THAT WORKS
[1:01:07] AT THIS PLANT THAT DOESN'T ALSO
[1:01:08] CAUSE EXTREME FATIGUE OR
[1:01:09] IMPAIRMENT.
[1:01:10] IT DID THE SAME THING FOR MY
[1:01:11] LITTLE SISTER WHO ALSO NEARLY
[1:01:12] DIED FROM COMPLICATIONS AND
[1:01:14] ALCOHOLISM AT ONE POINT IT WAS
[1:01:16] SO BAD SHE WAS IN THE ICU.
[1:01:17] I TOLD HER ABOUT NATURAL KRATOM
[1:01:19] BECAUSE I KNEW IT WOULD SAVE
[1:01:20] HER AND I WAS RIGHT.
[1:01:21] SHE HAS SINCE RECOVERED AND
[1:01:22] ALSO JUST RECENTLY PASSED FIVE
[1:01:23] YEARS SOBER WITHOUT KRATOM OUR
[1:01:25] MOTHER WOULD HAVE HAD TO BURY
[1:01:26] BOTH OF HER CHILDREN THAT YEAR
[1:01:27] WITH IT BANDS NOW I LIVE IN
[1:01:29] FEAR EVERY DAY OF THE ALCOHOL
[1:01:30] CRAVINGS COMING BACK.
[1:01:31] THEY STILL SELL ALCOHOL IN THE
[1:01:33] STORE BELOW MY APARTMENT IN MY
[1:01:34] BUILDING THEY ALSO USED TO SELL
[1:01:36] KRATOM AND FOR FIVE YEARS THAT
[1:01:37] KEPT ME SAFE.
[1:01:38] THIS BAND DID NOT MAKE THE
[1:01:39] ALCOHOL DISAPPEAR OR THE
[1:01:41] ILLICIT DRUGS AND IT DID NOT
[1:01:42] CURE THE CHRONIC PAIN OF PEOPLE
[1:01:44] WHO ARE SUFFERING.
[1:01:45] IF I HAVE.
[1:01:46] A BAD DAY.
[1:01:47] YOU HAVE 50 MORE SAVINGS.
[1:01:48] THANK YOU.
[1:01:49] I'M GOING TO DIE.
[1:01:50] THEY WERE VERY CLEAR.
[1:01:51] AND I KNOW OTHERS ARE IN MY
[1:01:53] SAME POSITION.
[1:01:53] PLEASE LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE
[1:01:54] TELLING YOU FREEDOM HELPS THEM.
[1:01:56] WE'RE LIVE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE
[1:01:57] OF NATURAL KRATOM AND WE MATTER
[1:01:58] TO YOU.
[1:01:59] THANK YOU THANK YOU ASHLEY
[1:02:02] MISTY BROWN WILLIAM RAGAN AND
[1:02:03] THEN BRITTANY SEFTON.
[1:02:16] HEY CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME?
[1:02:17] WE CAN OKAY UH MY NAME IS MISTY
[1:02:20] BROWN AND I AM A.
[1:02:22] KRATOM CONSUMER ADVOCATE
[1:02:23] ACTIVIST FROM COLORADO.
[1:02:25] I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I'M.
[1:02:26] SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF.
[1:02:28] THE MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS
[1:02:29] THAT CONSUME KRATOM THAT HAVE
[1:02:31] NO IDEA THAT THIS HEARING IS
[1:02:32] EVEN HAPPENING AND THEY AND IF
[1:02:34] THEY DO KNOW THEY ARE SCARED TO
[1:02:36] DEATH TO TESTIFY BECAUSE IT IS
[1:02:38] NOW SCHEDULE ONE IN YOUR STATE.
[1:02:41] I DO ALSO WANT.
[1:02:42] TO SAY THAT I AM.
[1:02:43] ONE OF THE ADVOCATES THAT ALSO
[1:02:45] ATTENDED OVER 50 MASSACHUSETTS
[1:02:47] CITY HEARINGS.
[1:02:48] THE OVERALL OPINION IS THAT
[1:02:50] THEY FELT LIKE THEY DIDN'T HAVE
[1:02:51] ENOUGH OF THEIR RESOURCES TO
[1:02:52] REGULATE, SO THEY JUST OUTRIGHT
[1:02:53] BAN KRATOM.
[1:02:55] UM, THEY ALMOST ALL SAID THAT
[1:02:57] IF THE STATE COMES IN WITH THE
[1:02:59] REGULATION THEY WILL AMEND I AM
[1:03:03] A SURVIVOR OF THE
[1:03:04] OVERPRESCRIBING OPIOID EPIDEMIC
[1:03:06] .
[1:03:07] I WAS ADDICTED TO MY PAIN PILLS
[1:03:09] ,BENZODIAZEPINES AND MUSCLE
[1:03:10] RELAXERS FOR 11 YEARS STRAIGHT
[1:03:12] FROM 2008 TO 2019.
[1:03:14] I ACCIDENTALLY FOUND HOLD
[1:03:16] OF KRATOM IN JUNE OF 2019 BY
[1:03:17] WALKING INTO A SMOKE SHOP WHERE
[1:03:19] THE KRATOM WAS SITTING BEHIND
[1:03:20] THE GLASS COUNTER.
[1:03:22] I WAS CARDED YOU KNOW, IN ORDER
[1:03:24] TO PURCHASE IT.
[1:03:24] IT WAS NATURAL KRATOM BACK THEN
[1:03:27] SYNTHETICS WEREN'T ON THE
[1:03:28] MARKET.
[1:03:30] I WILL ALSO SAY KRATOM NATURAL
[1:03:33] KRATOM IS AN EXIT FROM
[1:03:35] ADDICTIONS.
[1:03:36] THESE THE SEVEN PRODUCTS AND
[1:03:39] THE SYNTHETICS ARE AN ENTRANCE
[1:03:40] INTO MONEY.
[1:03:41] I WILL YIELD MY TIME FOR
[1:03:42] SOMEBODY ELSE.
[1:03:43] THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO
[1:03:44] SPEAK.
[1:03:45] THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR
[1:03:46] STORY MISTY.
[1:03:48] UM NEXT WE HAVE WILLIAM.
[1:03:59] WILLIAM.
[1:04:00] UH, REAGAN.
[1:04:06] YOU MAY NOT BE ON UM OKAY.
[1:04:09] WE'LL GO TO TO BRITTANY.
[1:04:26] I KNOW, I KNOW CAN YOU HEAR ME?
[1:04:28] WE CAN HEAR YOU.
[1:04:29] OH, OKAY.
[1:04:30] HI.
[1:04:30] UM, MY NAME IS BRITTANY AND I
[1:04:32] WAS INJURED IN HIGH SCHOOL
[1:04:33] SPORTS.
[1:04:34] WHICH LED TO A 15 YEAR, UM,
[1:04:36] ADDICTION TO PRESCRIPTION
[1:04:37] PAINKILLER.
[1:04:39] UM, I DID THREE YEARS
[1:04:41] MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT.
[1:04:42] WITH METHADONE.
[1:04:43] AND AT 215MG OF METHADONE DAILY
[1:04:47] I ENDED UP IN.
[1:04:48] JAIL WHERE I SPENT 26 DAYS
[1:04:49] DETOXING AND ON MY WAY HOME I
[1:04:52] STOPPED AND GOT NATURAL KRATOM
[1:04:54] FROM A COFFEE SHOP.
[1:04:55] UM THAT WAS JULY 12TH, 2020 AND
[1:04:58] UM IT'S BEEN JUST OVER SIX
[1:05:00] YEARS WITHOUT ANY
[1:05:01] PRESCRIPTIONS.
[1:05:03] UM SO I ALSO WANTED TO ADDRESS
[1:05:06] THE UH PSYCHOACTIVE THE WEED OR
[1:05:10] MARIJUANA COMPARED TO KRATOM IN
[1:05:13] MY OPINION MARIJUANA IS MUCH
[1:05:15] MORE PSYCHOACTIVE THAN KRATOM.
[1:05:18] I CAN CREATE THEM DURING THE
[1:05:19] DAY AND FUNCTION FINE AND AT
[1:05:21] NIGHT BUT LIKE I DON'T SMOKE
[1:05:24] MARIJUANA UNTIL NIGHTTIME LIKE
[1:05:27] JUST BEFORE BED BECAUSE I KNOW
[1:05:29] I CAN'T FUNCTION OUT IN PUBLIC
[1:05:30] LIKE THAT.
[1:05:32] SO UM I DON'T KNOW IF THAT
[1:05:34] HELPS AT ALL.
[1:05:35] UH, WITH YOU I THINK THAT'S
[1:05:38] ABOUT IT.
[1:05:39] I JUST HOPE THAT YOU GUYS, UM,
[1:05:43] LEAVE NATURAL KRATOM FOR THE
[1:05:44] PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH
[1:05:46] ADDICTION AND MAYBE ONE DAY
[1:05:47] THEY WILL FIND SOME AND HAVE A
[1:05:50] STORY LIKE MINE.
[1:05:51] THANK YOU.
[1:05:53] BRITTANY UM, WE'LL GO IN PERSON
[1:05:55] .
[1:05:55] WE HAVE ADAM KING WHO HAS
[1:05:56] JOINED US.
[1:05:57] UH, IF YOU WANT TO COME DOWN TO
[1:05:59] THE MICROPHONE TO STATE YOUR
[1:06:00] NAME, UM, WHERE YOU LIVE THAT
[1:06:02] WOULD BE GREAT.
[1:06:03] AND THEN WE'LL TYPE ONLINE FIVE
[1:06:05] MORE INDIVIDUALS.
[1:06:06] WE HAVE MIKE FASANO UM, AN
[1:06:09] INDIVIDUAL UH, WHOSE NAME
[1:06:12] BEGINS WITH AN S CHAD CORRAL,
[1:06:17] HEIDI SIKORA AND JOSHUA C UH,
[1:06:22] ADAM, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR FOR
[1:06:23] TWO MINUTES.
[1:06:24] THANK YOU.
[1:06:24] HI.
[1:06:25] UH, MY NAME IS ADAM KING AND MY
[1:06:27] PARENTS AND I OWN A BUSINESS IN
[1:06:30] ATTLEBORO THAT SELLS KRATOM AND
[1:06:33] .
[1:06:34] WE SEE.
[1:06:35] MANY, MANY CUSTOMERS A DAY
[1:06:37] COMING IN AND BUYING KRATOM.
[1:06:39] AND WHEN WE TOLD THEM THAT
[1:06:40] THERE'S, UH, THAT IT'S BEEN
[1:06:42] BANNED, A LOT OF THEM JUST SAID
[1:06:44] OH MY LIFE IS OVER BECAUSE
[1:06:46] THEY'LL JUST GO BACK TO WAY
[1:06:48] WORSE THINGS LIKE OXY OR
[1:06:50] FENTANYL OR ANYTHING ELSE.
[1:06:52] THEY'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING
[1:06:53] TO GET RID OF THE PAIN.
[1:06:55] AND UH, PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT
[1:06:58] THEY'VE HAD PAIN FOR DECADES
[1:07:00] UNTIL I FOUND KRATOM.
[1:07:02] UM.
[1:07:03] IT DOESN'T WORK FOR EVERYBODY
[1:07:04] LIKE ANYTHING IN LIFE.
[1:07:06] UH, LIKE HOW YOU HAVE
[1:07:08] COFFEE RIGHT THERE AS PART
[1:07:09] OF THE COFFEE FAMILY.
[1:07:10] IT'S JUST A PLANT.
[1:07:11] LIKE IT'S JUST A PLANT THAT
[1:07:13] THEY GRIND DOWN, UH, DEPENDING
[1:07:15] ON WHICH STAGES AND ITS LIFE
[1:07:17] CYCLE AND IT COULD BE MADE UH
[1:07:20] UH, HAVE ENERGY OR PROVIDE, UH,
[1:07:24] PAIN ALLEVIATION DEPENDING ON
[1:07:26] WHEN IT'S HARVESTED.
[1:07:28] UH THE SEVEN OH THAT THE WAY
[1:07:30] THAT THAT'S ACTUALLY MADE IS BY
[1:07:32] THERE'S OTHER THERE'S OVER 50
[1:07:33] DIFFERENT CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN
[1:07:36] THE KRATOM PLANT THEY EXTRACT
[1:07:37] ONE OF THEM CALLED THE SEVEN
[1:07:38] HYDROXYL TO TRY TO NINE THE
[1:07:40] EXTRACT THAT THOUSANDS OF TIMES
[1:07:42] AND THEN THEY PUT IT INTO A
[1:07:43] TABLET AND CONCENTRATE IT.
[1:07:45] YOU WOULD NEVER YOU COULD
[1:07:47] CONSUME GALLONS OF NORMAL
[1:07:49] KRATOM POWDER AND YOU NEVER
[1:07:50] EVER GET THAT AMOUNT THAT'S IN
[1:07:52] THERE.
[1:07:53] IT'S IT'S COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS
[1:07:55] THAT IT'S EVEN UNDER THE SAME
[1:07:57] UMBRELLA AS KRATOM.
[1:07:58] THEY'RE JUST THEY COULDN'T BE
[1:07:59] ANY MORE DIFFERENT.
[1:08:01] IT'S LIKE A BAD APPLE SPOILS
[1:08:03] THE BUNCH EXCEPT THE APPLE IS
[1:08:04] NOT EVEN AN APPLE.
[1:08:05] IT'S AN ORANGE.
[1:08:08] AND UM THIS YEAR BAN EVEN
[1:08:12] THOUGH IT'S TEMPORARY WAS A
[1:08:13] HUGE MISTAKE BECAUSE BOSTON OR
[1:08:16] NOT BUT ALL OF MASS IS JUST
[1:08:18] GOING TO GET WAY MORE DRUG
[1:08:19] ADDICTS OUT ON THE STREET AND
[1:08:21] PROBABLY DEATHS AND IT WAS JUST
[1:08:24] A HORRIBLE IDEA.
[1:08:26] SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR
[1:08:27] TESTIMONY.
[1:08:28] THANK YOU.
[1:08:30] MIKE FRESNO.
[1:08:39] IT'S MIKE SO ON THE CALL.
[1:08:45] UH IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT WILL
[1:08:47] GO TO UM NEXT TESTIMONY YOU
[1:08:49] KNOW BEFORE.
[1:08:52] I MY NAME IS DOCTOR HEIDI
[1:08:55] SIKORA I'M A RETIRED NURSE
[1:08:56] PRACTITIONER.
[1:08:56] DOCTOR NURSING PRACTICE.
[1:08:58] HEIDI, I'M SO SORRY.
[1:08:59] YOU'RE ACTUALLY THAT'S.
[1:09:00] NO PROBLEM.
[1:09:01] YOU'RE YOU'RE YOU'RE ON DECK.
[1:09:03] WE NOW HAVE SOMEBODY, UM, WHOSE
[1:09:06] NAME BEGINS WITH AN ACE, BUT
[1:09:07] THEY'RE THEY'RE JUST NOT AS
[1:09:08] PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
[1:09:10] UH, YES.
[1:09:10] THANK YOU.
[1:09:11] MY NAME BEGINS WITH THIS.
[1:09:14] UH.
[1:09:15] GO AHEAD.
[1:09:16] HELLO.
[1:09:17] UH, GOOD.
[1:09:18] AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU FOR
[1:09:19] LETTING ME SPEAK.
[1:09:20] I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE CONCERNS
[1:09:21] ABOUT GAS STATION KRATOM
[1:09:23] PRODUCTS.
[1:09:24] THESE PRODUCTS ARE HIGHLY
[1:09:25] CONCENTRATED AND THESE PRODUCTS
[1:09:27] ARE HIGHLY CONCENTRATED AND
[1:09:29] CHEMICALLY ALTERED FORM
[1:09:30] OF NATURAL BOTANICAL LEAF.
[1:09:32] NATURAL KRATOM IS A VERY
[1:09:34] DIFFERENT SUBSTANCE.
[1:09:34] GAS STATION.
[1:09:35] GAS STATION PRODUCTS ARE MUCH
[1:09:37] MORE POTENT THE NATURAL CREATE
[1:09:39] A LEAF NATURAL CREATE A LEAF
[1:09:41] HAS MADE A SERIOUS AND
[1:09:42] MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON MY
[1:09:44] FRIENDS.
[1:09:44] I LIVE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND
[1:09:46] SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS.
[1:09:47] I'VE SEEN MANY OF MY FRIENDS
[1:09:49] WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES SUCH AS
[1:09:50] ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, BORDERLINE
[1:09:52] AND BIPOLAR DISORDER OVERCOME
[1:09:54] HUGE SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCIES TO
[1:09:56] ALCOHOL AND OTHER ILLICIT
[1:09:57] SUBSTANCES WITH THE HELP OF.
[1:09:59] NATURAL KRATOM LEAF.
[1:10:01] ON ANOTHER NOTE, MANY OF MY
[1:10:02] FRIENDS ARE IN THE DISABLED
[1:10:03] COMMUNITY AND USE CREATE THEM
[1:10:05] TO MANAGE A VARIETY OF HEALTH
[1:10:06] CONDITIONS.
[1:10:07] I HAVE FRIENDS THAT USE KRATOM
[1:10:08] FOR CHRONIC PAIN, CROHN'S
[1:10:10] DISEASE, ARTHRITIS AND S
[1:10:12] SYNDROME TO NAME A FEW.
[1:10:14] ONE OF MY FRIENDS IS WHEELCHAIR
[1:10:15] BOUND AND IS ABLE TO HAVE
[1:10:17] ENOUGH ENERGY TO LEAVE THE
[1:10:19] HOUSE AND LEAD A SUCCESSFUL
[1:10:20] LIFE WITH THE HELP OF NATURAL
[1:10:22] BOTANICAL KRATOM LEAF FOR THEM
[1:10:25] THIS IS NOT A SMALL CHANGE.
[1:10:26] THIS PRODUCT MAKES A HUGE
[1:10:28] DIFFERENCE IN THEIR EVERYDAY
[1:10:29] QUALITY OF LIFE.
[1:10:30] IT HAS MADE PREVIOUSLY
[1:10:32] UNMANAGEABLE CONDITIONS
[1:10:33] MANAGEABLE AND LIVABLE.
[1:10:35] I HOPE THIS SHED SOME LIGHT ON
[1:10:37] THE HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
[1:10:38] NATURAL KRATOM LEAF AND GAS
[1:10:40] STATION SEVEN PRODUCTS.
[1:10:42] I HOPE THIS HELPS THOSE
[1:10:44] LISTENING UNDERSTAND THE
[1:10:46] MEDICAL AND THERAPEUTIC USES
[1:10:47] AND MEANINGFUL IMPACT
[1:10:49] OF BOTANICAL KRATOM LEAF AND
[1:10:51] THE IMPACT IT HAS ON THE
[1:10:53] DISABLED COMMUNITY AND THOSE
[1:10:54] LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES.
[1:10:56] I SUPPORT THE RESPONSIBLE
[1:10:57] REGULATION OF NATURAL KRATOM
[1:10:59] LEAF AND I ALSO SUPPORT A FULL
[1:11:01] BAN OF THE SEVEN ZERO AGE GAS
[1:11:03] STATION PRODUCTS.
[1:11:04] THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND
[1:11:05] YOUR CONSIDERATION.
[1:11:07] THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[1:11:09] UM WE APPRECIATE IT.
[1:11:10] SRI MIKE IS ON THE CALL.
[1:11:11] WE'LL GO BACK TO MIKE.
[1:11:13] CAN YOU HEAR ME?
[1:11:15] WE CAN HEAR YOU.
[1:11:16] HELLO?
[1:11:17] OKAY, GOOD.
[1:11:18] YEAH.
[1:11:18] SO MY NAME IS MICHAEL FASANO
[1:11:20] .
[1:11:20] I'VE BEEN A.
[1:11:21] KRATOM LEAF.
[1:11:22] CONSUMER OF.
[1:11:23] THE BOTANICAL TEA FOR.
[1:11:24] OVER 15 YEARS ON AND OFF.
[1:11:26] UM.
[1:11:27] MAINLY FOR JOINT PAINS BUT
[1:11:28] MOSTLY.
[1:11:29] FOR.
[1:11:29] CHRONIC INSOMNIA.
[1:11:30] AND.
[1:11:31] LOWER DOSES.
[1:11:31] I FIND IT HELPS WITH ALERTNESS
[1:11:33] FROM A.D.D..
[1:11:34] UM.
[1:11:35] UH, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU
[1:11:37] GUYS.
[1:11:37] FOR, UM, DOING A REGULATORY
[1:11:39] APPROACH.
[1:11:39] UH, THE DEA, THE FEDERAL
[1:11:41] GOVERNMENT THEY'RE ON TOP
[1:11:42] OF GETTING RID OF THESE
[1:11:43] SYNTHETICS AND, UM, SO FAR THEY
[1:11:45] GOT RID OF THE FULLY SYNTHETICS
[1:11:46] AND THEY'RE WORKING ON THE
[1:11:47] SEVEN AS WE SPEAK.
[1:11:49] UM, I WISH OTHER JURISDICTIONS
[1:11:51] AND OTHER STATES WOULD FOLLOW A
[1:11:54] SIMILAR FRAMEWORK BECAUSE I
[1:11:56] ABSOLUTELY DO BELIEVE WE ALL
[1:11:57] WORK TOGETHER.
[1:11:58] WE CAN REGULATE.
[1:11:59] WHEN I.
[1:12:00] HEARD THE STATE OF.
[1:12:00] MASSACHUSETTS BANNED, UH,
[1:12:02] BOTANICAL KRATOM, I WAS REALLY
[1:12:03] SADDENED UM, BECAUSE I KNOW
[1:12:05] THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT
[1:12:06] CONSUMER FOR CHRONIC PAIN AND
[1:12:07] VETERANS WITH PTSD.
[1:12:09] SO I HOPE THAT THE STATE.
[1:12:11] OF MASSACHUSETTS AND THE
[1:12:12] COUNTIES CAN COME TO A
[1:12:14] RESOLUTION.
[1:12:14] WE'RE GOING TO GET RID OF THE
[1:12:16] SYNTHETIC.
[1:12:16] SKIN.
[1:12:17] REGULATE THE NATURAL
[1:12:19] BOTANICAL LEAVE.
[1:12:19] SO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO
[1:12:20] SPEAK TODAY.
[1:12:22] THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[1:12:24] UH, WE'LL GO TO HEIDI.
[1:12:27] ALL RIGHT.
[1:12:28] HELLO AGAIN.
[1:12:30] HI AGAIN.
[1:12:31] MY NAME IS DOCTOR HEIDI SAKURA
[1:12:32] AND I'M A DOCTOR OF NURSING
[1:12:34] PRACTICE IN RETIRED NURSE
[1:12:35] PRACTITIONER.
[1:12:36] UM, AND I DID PRESCRIBE AND
[1:12:38] TREAT, UH, MEDICALLY COMPLEX
[1:12:41] ONCOLOGY, UH, ADULT AND
[1:12:42] GERIATRIC PATIENTS.
[1:12:44] I NOW SERVE AS THE VOLUNTEER.
[1:12:46] CHIEF SCIENTIFIC.
[1:12:48] OFFICER FOR THE INTERNATIONAL
[1:12:49] PLANT AND HERBAL ALLIANCE.
[1:12:51] I ALSO LIVE WITH MULTIPLE RARE
[1:12:53] PAINFUL CONGENITAL CONDITIONS.
[1:12:55] UM, AND THEIR PAIN MANAGEMENT
[1:12:58] REALLY IS NOT OPTIONAL FOR ME.
[1:13:00] IT DETERMINES WHETHER I CAN, UH
[1:13:02] ,STAND, MOVE AND FUNCTION.
[1:13:04] JUST LIKE SO MANY OF THE OTHERS
[1:13:05] THAT YOU HAVE HEARD.
[1:13:06] THE PROBLEM IS IS THAT THERE
[1:13:08] AREN'T A LOT OF.
[1:13:09] UM, GOOD.
[1:13:10] OPTIONS FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT,
[1:13:13] ESPECIALLY WITH THE STRICT
[1:13:14] OPIOID PRESCRIBING GUIDELINES.
[1:13:16] AND SO NATURAL KRATOM LEAF
[1:13:19] PRODUCTS HAVE REALLY PROVEN TO
[1:13:20] BE THE SAFEST AND MOST
[1:13:21] EFFECTIVE.
[1:13:22] FOR ME.
[1:13:23] UM, ALSO I WANT TO ADDRESS A
[1:13:25] FEW OF THE UH, QUESTIONS AND
[1:13:27] AND CONCERNS THAT I'VE HEARD.
[1:13:29] UM, FIRST OF ALL, THE VAST
[1:13:32] MAJORITY OF UH CONSUMERS DO USE
[1:13:34] A CRATE, UM, FOR RELIEF
[1:13:36] OF PAIN.
[1:13:37] SO NOT EVERYBODY THAT USES
[1:13:39] KRATOM HAS A PROBLEM WITH
[1:13:40] ADDICTION.
[1:13:41] SO REFERRING THEM TO AN
[1:13:43] ADDICTION CENTER REALLY IS NOT
[1:13:44] GOING TO SOLVE THEIR ISSUE.
[1:13:45] THE OTHER THING THAT I HEARD IS
[1:13:47] UM, ABOUT THE TESTING.
[1:13:50] SO UH, GOOD QUALITY KRATOM
[1:13:53] MANUFACTURERS ACTUALLY PERFORM
[1:13:55] THIRD PARTY TESTING.
[1:13:55] THEY SEND IT OUT FOR AN
[1:13:57] INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY TEST.
[1:13:59] UM, AND THAT RETURNS UH
[1:14:01] CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS THAT IS
[1:14:04] ACTUALLY.
[1:14:04] UH.
[1:14:05] PREVENTS THE NEED TO FOR THE
[1:14:08] CITY TO BE TESTING PRODUCTS.
[1:14:10] YOU CAN SIMPLY COLLECT THOSE
[1:14:11] CEOS AND AND THEN TAKE A LOOK
[1:14:14] AT THOSE AND DETERMINE THAT
[1:14:15] IT'S A NATURAL PRODUCT.
[1:14:17] UM, AS FAR AS DRIVING THERE IS
[1:14:19] A GOOD STUDY HUMAN STUDY ON
[1:14:21] DRIVING THAT DID SHOW NO
[1:14:23] IMPAIRMENT IN DRIVING.
[1:14:24] AND I CAN TELL YOU FROM MY
[1:14:26] PERSONAL STANDPOINT I DRIVE
[1:14:27] MUCH BETTER UM, USING KRATOM
[1:14:29] BECAUSE IT DOES HELP WITH
[1:14:31] ATTENTION AND REDUCES THOSE
[1:14:32] PAIN SYMPTOMS.
[1:14:34] UM ALSO IN IT'S YOU JUST HAVE
[1:14:36] 15 SECONDS.
[1:14:37] THANKS I KNOW OKAY.
[1:14:38] I KNOW VERY VERY FAST.
[1:14:40] SO ANYWAY, UM WE DO HAVE SOME,
[1:14:43] YOU KNOW, COMPLIANCE UH, TOOLS
[1:14:45] THAT YOU CAN USE THAT WOULD BE
[1:14:47] VERY HELPFUL.
[1:14:47] AND SO I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY
[1:14:50] KIND OF ASSISTANCE THAT YOU
[1:14:52] NEED.
[1:14:52] THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR
[1:14:53] TIME.
[1:14:54] THANK YOU.
[1:14:54] OKAY.
[1:14:55] WE JUST HAVE TWO MORE AND THEN
[1:14:55] WE'LL GO TO OUR PANEL.
[1:14:56] THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
[1:14:57] UM CHAD CORRAL, IF YOU CAN JUST
[1:14:59] ACCEPT PANELIST PROMOTION WE
[1:15:01] WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.
[1:15:03] WHILE YOU'RE DOING THAT WE'LL
[1:15:03] GO TO JOSHUA SEE AND THEN CHAD.
[1:15:23] THANK YOU TO ETHAN WHO IS OUR
[1:15:24] CENTRAL STAFF TECH.
[1:15:27] GURU WHO'S HELPING US RIGHT
[1:15:28] NOW.
[1:15:32] HE LEFT.
[1:15:33] CHAD LEFT.
[1:15:33] OKAY.
[1:15:34] SORRY, CHAD.
[1:15:35] UM.
[1:15:35] AND THEN JOSHUA IS ALSO NOT
[1:15:37] HERE.
[1:15:37] OKAY I APOLOGIZE.
[1:15:39] WE'LL GO TO OUR PANEL.
[1:15:40] I'LL INTRODUCE.
[1:15:41] SO I ALREADY.
[1:15:42] INTRODUCED YOU.
[1:15:43] SO WHY DON'T YOU JUST TAKE IT
[1:15:44] AWAY IN YOUR PREFERRED ORDER?
[1:15:45] THANK YOU AGAIN FOR PATIENCE.
[1:15:46] AND THEN WE'LL GO TO QUESTIONS
[1:15:48] FROM MY COLLEAGUES.
[1:15:49] GREAT.
[1:15:50] THANK YOU.
[1:15:50] .
[1:15:50] MEMBERS OF THE.
[1:15:51] BOSTON CITY COUNCIL FOR THE.
[1:15:52] OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY IN.
[1:15:53] FAVOR OF THE ORDINANCE.
[1:15:55] UH, IN DOCKET 1414.
[1:15:57] UH, THAT WOULD AMEND CHAPTER 16
[1:16:00] OF THE CITY OF BOSTON CODE TO
[1:16:02] PROHIBIT.
[1:16:02] THE SELL AND USE OF.
[1:16:03] SYNTHETIC COMPOUNDS AND UH,
[1:16:05] RELATED UH TO SOME UH,
[1:16:08] MITIGATING.
[1:16:09] MY NAME IS SHELDON.
[1:16:11] BRADSHAW AND I REPRESENT
[1:16:13] BOTANICALS FOR BETTER HEALTH
[1:16:14] AND WELLNESS.
[1:16:14] I AM AN FDA.
[1:16:16] REGULATORY ATTORNEY.
[1:16:17] AND PREVIOUSLY SERVED.
[1:16:18] AS.
[1:16:19] THE CHIEF COUNCILOR OF THE
[1:16:20] UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG
[1:16:21] ADMINISTRATION WHERE I WAS THE,
[1:16:23] UH, OVERSAW AN OFFICE OF UH,
[1:16:25] 100 PLUS LAWYERS AND WAS
[1:16:27] RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING LEGAL
[1:16:29] ADVICE TO THE COMMISSIONER
[1:16:30] OF THE FDA AND THE OTHER SENIOR
[1:16:31] LEADERS OF THE AGENCY.
[1:16:33] AND HOPEFULLY I'LL BE ABLE TO
[1:16:34] ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS
[1:16:35] THAT A NUMBER OF YOU HAD ABOUT,
[1:16:37] UH, WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE FDA
[1:16:39] AND WITH THE FEDERAL
[1:16:40] GOVERNMENT'S REGULATION
[1:16:41] OF THESE UH, UH, SUBSTANCES.
[1:16:44] UH, THE ORGANIZATION UH, THAT I
[1:16:46] REPRESENT THE BBH W ADVOCATES
[1:16:48] FOR THE EVIDENCE BASED
[1:16:49] REGULATION OF PLANT DERIVED
[1:16:51] PRODUCTS.
[1:16:52] AS A RESULT, WE.
[1:16:53] SUPPORT EFFORTS TO BAN
[1:16:55] CHEMICALLY MANIPULATED
[1:16:56] SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS THAT
[1:16:57] MASQUERADE AS BOTANICALS SUCH
[1:17:00] AS SEVEN HYDROXY METRIC NINE IN
[1:17:02] WHICH FOR.
[1:17:03] EASE OF REFERENCE I'LL REFER TO
[1:17:05] AS 708.
[1:17:06] THROUGHOUT MY TESTIMONY, UH AND
[1:17:08] OTHER RELATED COMPOUNDS LIKE
[1:17:09] PSEUDO AND DOXIL UH PSEUDO AND
[1:17:12] DOXIL MGM UH 15 AND MGM 16.
[1:17:16] UH AS I WILL EXPLAIN IN MY
[1:17:18] TESTIMONY BANNING THESE
[1:17:19] AFOREMENTIONED UH, SYNTHETIC
[1:17:21] COMPOUNDS WILL ALIGN THE CITY
[1:17:24] OF BOSTON WITH THE RECENT
[1:17:25] ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE UNITED
[1:17:26] STATES DRUG ENFORCEMENT
[1:17:27] ADMINISTRATION, THE UNITED
[1:17:29] STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
[1:17:30] HUMAN SERVICES AND THE UNITED
[1:17:32] STATES FOOD AND DRUG
[1:17:34] ADMINISTRATION.
[1:17:35] IN SHORT, FEDERAL HEALTH CARE
[1:17:36] OFFICIALS HAVE DESCRIBED THESE
[1:17:37] SYNTHETIC DRUGS, UH COMPOUNDS
[1:17:40] AS DANGEROUS, ADDICTIVE AND
[1:17:42] ILLEGAL.
[1:17:43] UH, BUT WE ALSO ADVOCATE FOR
[1:17:45] COMMON SENSE REGULATIONS ON THE
[1:17:47] NATURAL BOTANICAL KRATOM FOR
[1:17:48] EXAMPLE, UH, AGE GATING.
[1:17:52] UH TESTING LABELING
[1:17:53] REQUIREMENTS, USE OF FOOD GRADE
[1:17:55] SOLVENTS FOR UH EXTRACTS AND
[1:17:57] THE LIKE AND I KNOW UH
[1:17:59] COUNCILMAN UH
[1:18:00] COUNCILMAN CULPEPER YOU HAD A
[1:18:01] NUMBER OF QUESTIONS RELATED TO
[1:18:03] SOME OTHER THINGS WE CAN DO AND
[1:18:04] I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
[1:18:06] QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT UH
[1:18:08] UH, MEASURES THAT CAN BE PUT IN
[1:18:09] PLACE, UH, TO ENSURE THAT
[1:18:12] PRODUCTS ARE WHAT.
[1:18:13] THEY PURPORT TO.
[1:18:13] BE WHEN THEY'RE SITTING ON,
[1:18:14] UH, SHELVES IN THE CITY
[1:18:16] OF BOSTON.
[1:18:19] UM UH, SO AGAIN, WE WOULD LIKE
[1:18:21] TO COMMEND THE DRAFTERS OF THE
[1:18:23] DOCKET, UH, 1414 FOR THEIR
[1:18:25] FOCUS ON KEEPING KRATOM OUT
[1:18:27] OF THE HANDS OF INDIVIDUALS
[1:18:28] UNDER THE AGE OF 21.
[1:18:30] UH, AND AGAIN, THIS APPROACH IS
[1:18:32] CONSISTENT WITH THE APPROACH
[1:18:33] THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS
[1:18:35] TAKING WITH RESPECT TO NATURAL
[1:18:36] UH, KRATOM.
[1:18:38] UH THE PRIMARY MESSAGE THAT I
[1:18:39] WANT TO COMMUNICATE TODAY IS
[1:18:41] THAT NATURAL BOTANICAL KRATOM
[1:18:43] IS NOT THE SAME THING AS
[1:18:45] SYNTHETIC AND SIMILAR SYNTHETIC
[1:18:47] 7 OR 8 UH, WHICH IS NOT IN FACT
[1:18:50] A NATURAL BOTANICAL AND IT'S
[1:18:51] NOT EVEN KRATOM.
[1:18:52] AND I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST
[1:18:54] ISSUES WE HAVE IS SORT OF A
[1:18:55] NOMENCLATURE UH, ISSUE FOR
[1:18:58] EXAMPLE, UH, COUNCILMAN FLYNN,
[1:18:59] YOU ASKED QUESTIONS EARLIER
[1:19:01] ABOUT UH TO WHAT EXTENT SOMEONE
[1:19:03] MIGHT BE IMPAIRED IF THEY TRIED
[1:19:05] TO DRIVE AFTER USING KRATOM AND
[1:19:06] I THINK IT DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON
[1:19:08] WHAT YOU MEAN BY THE WORD
[1:19:10] KRATOM.
[1:19:10] IF BY KRATOM YOU MEAN THE
[1:19:11] NATURAL BOTANICAL THE LEAF UH
[1:19:14] AND PRODUCTS MADE FROM THAT
[1:19:15] LIKE UH FROM THE LEAF OR FROM
[1:19:17] WHAT'S CALLED THE FULL SPECTRUM
[1:19:19] UH EXTRACT IN OTHER WORDS AN
[1:19:21] EXTRACT THAT HASN'T TRIED TO UH
[1:19:23] CONDENSE OR UH, CONSOLIDATE ONE
[1:19:26] PARTICULAR PART OF THE CRANIUM
[1:19:28] PLANT.
[1:19:28] WELL, THE ANSWER THERE I THINK
[1:19:30] IS IS PRETTY CLEARLY THAT IT
[1:19:32] DOES.
[1:19:32] AND JOHNS HOPKINS, UH, ACTUALLY
[1:19:34] DID A STUDY ON THE QUESTION
[1:19:36] OF UH, DRIVING SPECIFICALLY
[1:19:38] RELATED TO DRIVING WITH RESPECT
[1:19:40] TO NATIONAL KRATOM.
[1:19:41] UH, AND IT DID NOT IMPACT
[1:19:42] DRIVING.
[1:19:43] NOW IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
[1:19:45] THESE SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS THAT
[1:19:47] MASQUERADE AS KRATOM AND I USE
[1:19:48] THE WORD MASQUERADE BECAUSE
[1:19:50] THEY'RE NOT IN FACT KRATOM AT
[1:19:51] ALL.
[1:19:51] UH, THEY AND I'M GOING TO TALK
[1:19:53] A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THIS IN MY
[1:19:55] TESTIMONY.
[1:19:56] UH, BUT UH, IN ORDER TO CONFUSE
[1:19:59] THE PUBLIC AND REGULATORS, THEY
[1:20:01] LIKE TO CALL THEMSELVES KRATOM
[1:20:03] THESE SINCE THE YOU KNOW, UH,
[1:20:06] BAD ACTORS WHO ARE MARKETING
[1:20:08] THESE SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS LIKE
[1:20:10] TO USE WORDS LIKE NATURAL AND
[1:20:11] KRATOM ON THEIR PACKAGING.
[1:20:13] THEY LIKE TO HAVE VIGNETTES
[1:20:14] OF PLANT MATERIAL ON THEIR
[1:20:16] PACKAGING.
[1:20:16] BUT BUT THESE THESE MATERIALS
[1:20:18] ARE NOT IN FACT KRATOM UH,
[1:20:20] THOSE BEING VERY WELL, UH,
[1:20:22] IMPAIRED DRIVING BECAUSE THEY
[1:20:24] OPERATE AND ACT UH, LIKE
[1:20:26] CLASSIC OPIOIDS AND WE'LL
[1:20:28] DISCUSS THAT I'LL DISCUSS THAT
[1:20:30] A LITTLE MORE AS WELL IN MY
[1:20:31] TESTIMONY.
[1:20:33] UM, I WILL NOTE THOUGH THAT
[1:20:34] WHEN THE DEA UH, AT THE REQUEST
[1:20:37] OF BOTH HHS, HHS AND THE FDA UH
[1:20:41] ,RECENTLY ISSUED A NOTICE
[1:20:42] OF INTENT TO PLACE SYNTHETIC
[1:20:43] COMPOUNDS THAT MASQUERADE AS
[1:20:45] CREATED ON SCHEDULE ONE OF THE
[1:20:46] CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT.
[1:20:48] BOTH THE DEA UH AND A JOINT
[1:20:52] PRESS RELEASE BY UM, THE FDA
[1:20:55] AND HHS MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT
[1:20:58] THEIR CONCERNS WERE ABOUT
[1:21:00] SYNTHETIC COMPOUNDS AND DID NOT
[1:21:02] EXTEND TO THE NATURAL BOTANICAL
[1:21:04] KRATOM.
[1:21:05] THE DEA PRESS RELEASE INCLUDED
[1:21:06] THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT THIS
[1:21:09] EMERGENCY SCHEDULING ACTION
[1:21:10] DOES NOT APPLY TO BOTANICAL
[1:21:12] KRATOM PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN
[1:21:14] NATURALLY OCCURRING SEVEN OR
[1:21:16] BELOW THE SPECIFIED THRESHOLD.
[1:21:17] I'M GOING TO TALK A LITTLE MORE
[1:21:19] ABOUT THAT IN A FEW SECONDS AS
[1:21:20] WELL.
[1:21:21] UH, THE JOINT HHS AND FDA PRESS
[1:21:23] RELEASE INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING
[1:21:25] STATEMENT THESE ACTIONS ARE NOT
[1:21:27] INTENDED TO REGULATE NATURALLY
[1:21:29] KRATOM THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN
[1:21:31] ENHANCED LEVELS OF SEVEN AND
[1:21:32] EIGHT ALTHOUGH SEVEN WHICH
[1:21:34] OCCURS NATURALLY IN TRACE
[1:21:35] AMOUNTS IN THE CREATE AND PLANT
[1:21:37] SCHEDULING SEVEN WHICH ABOVE A
[1:21:38] CERTAIN THRESHOLD LEVEL DOES
[1:21:40] NOT INTEND TO CAPTURE THE
[1:21:42] CREATED BOTANICAL LEAF IN THE
[1:21:43] IN THE PRESENT UH EMERGENCY
[1:21:46] SCHEDULING RECOMMENDATION AND
[1:21:48] THESE STATEMENTS ARE ALL FULLY
[1:21:50] CONSISTENT WITH THE POSITION TO
[1:21:51] TAKE THE FDA HAS TAKEN FOR
[1:21:53] EXAMPLE IN JULY OF LAST YEAR IT
[1:21:55] TOOK STEPS TO INITIATE UH THE
[1:21:59] SCHEDULING OF SEVEN WHICH IT
[1:22:00] WENT TO GREAT PAINS TO
[1:22:02] EXPLICITLY STATE THAT ITS
[1:22:03] ACTIONS WERE QUOTE NOT FOCUSED
[1:22:05] ON NATURAL CREDIT AND LEAF
[1:22:07] PRODUCTS.
[1:22:08] SIMILARLY, WHEN FORMER FDA
[1:22:10] COMMISSIONER MARTY MCCRORY
[1:22:11] WARNED CONSUMERS ABOUT PRODUCTS
[1:22:13] CONTAINING SEVEN AND EIGHT
[1:22:14] AGAIN HE SPECIFICALLY STATED
[1:22:16] THAT THEY BEAR NO RESEMBLANCE
[1:22:19] TO THE BOTANICAL KRATOM THAT
[1:22:20] PEOPLE HAVE CONSUMED FOR
[1:22:21] CENTURIES.
[1:22:22] A DECADE AGO, THE FDA AND THE
[1:22:25] DEA DID CONSIDER WHETHER THE
[1:22:27] BOTANICAL KRATOM SHOULD BE
[1:22:28] SCHEDULED UNDER THE CONTROLLED
[1:22:30] SUBSTANCES ACT BASED ON THE
[1:22:32] EIGHT FACTOR ANALYSIS SET FORTH
[1:22:35] IN THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
[1:22:36] ACT.
[1:22:37] THE ANSWER WAS CLEAR.
[1:22:38] THEY CONCLUDED THE CLAIM SHOULD
[1:22:40] NOT BE BANNED.
[1:22:41] IN SHORT, KRATOM HAS BENEFICIAL
[1:22:43] EFFECTS WITH RELATIVELY LOW
[1:22:44] RISK OF HARM AND THEREFORE DOES
[1:22:46] NOT MEET THE CRITERIA TO BE
[1:22:48] SCHEDULE A BAND.
[1:22:50] IN SHARP CONTRAST, APPLYING
[1:22:51] THOSE SAME EIGHT FACTORS TO THE
[1:22:53] SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS RESULTED IN
[1:22:55] THE DEA AND THE FEDERAL
[1:22:57] GOVERNMENT DETERMINING THAT
[1:22:58] THEY ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE
[1:22:59] SCHEDULED AND BANNED.
[1:23:01] UM MORE RECENT STUDIES SUPPORT
[1:23:02] THIS DECISION.
[1:23:03] FOR EXAMPLE, IN THIS FIRST
[1:23:06] STUDY I'M GOING TO DESCRIBE
[1:23:07] WHICH WAS FUNDED BY THE
[1:23:09] NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
[1:23:10] AND CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY
[1:23:12] OF FLORIDA ALSO TURNS ON THIS
[1:23:14] IMPORTANT DISTINGUISH BETWEEN
[1:23:16] WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT WHEN
[1:23:17] WE TALK ABOUT KRATOM?
[1:23:19] UH, A RECENT THIS NIH STUDY
[1:23:21] FOUND THAT UNLIKE 7OH WHICH
[1:23:24] CAUSES OR INDUCES RESPIRATORY
[1:23:26] DEPRESSION.
[1:23:27] IN OTHER WORDS, IT DOES THE
[1:23:28] SAME THING THAT CLASSIC OPIOIDS
[1:23:30] DO.
[1:23:31] IT BINDS THE OPIOID RECEPTORS
[1:23:33] UH TELLS THE BRAIN TO TURN OFF
[1:23:35] THE FUNCTION OF BREATHING AND
[1:23:38] INDUCES RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION.
[1:23:40] SO IN SHARP CONTRAST TO THAT,
[1:23:42] UH, WHAT THE NIH STUDY FOUND IS
[1:23:45] THAT THE ALKALOID METRIC 19
[1:23:47] WHICH IS THE PRIMARY ALKALOID
[1:23:49] IN KRATOM ACTUALLY INCREASED
[1:23:52] RESPIRATORY FREQUENCY.
[1:23:54] IT IT HAD THE OPPOSITE EFFECT.
[1:23:55] SO SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT
[1:23:57] CREATING AND AGAIN IT'S TO BE
[1:23:58] IMPORTANT TO BE CLEAR.
[1:23:59] THE NATURAL BOTANICAL ACTUALLY
[1:24:03] INCREASED RESPIRATORY FREQUENCY
[1:24:04] .
[1:24:05] THESE SYNTHETIC DRUGS THAT
[1:24:07] MASQUERADE AS KRATOM OPERATE
[1:24:09] LIKE CLASSIC OPIOIDS AND
[1:24:11] ACTUALLY CAUSE RESPIRATORY
[1:24:12] INDUCED RESPIRATORY UH
[1:24:14] DEPRESSION.
[1:24:16] AN ADDITIONAL RECENT STUDY THIS
[1:24:17] ONE BY THE FDA WAS COMPLETED IN
[1:24:20] 2024 SHOWED THAT THE NATURAL
[1:24:22] BOTANICAL KRATOM WAS WELL
[1:24:23] TOLERATED IN STUDY SUBJECTS
[1:24:25] EVEN AT HIGH DOSES.
[1:24:27] THE ASCENDING DOSE STUDY WAS AN
[1:24:29] ADULT POPULATION AND USED UP TO
[1:24:32] 140MG OF METRIC, WHICH IS SEVEN
[1:24:34] TIMES THE AMOUNT OF METRIC
[1:24:35] LINING IN A TYPICAL SERVING
[1:24:37] OF A COMMERCIAL KRATOM PRODUCT.
[1:24:39] AND I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE.
[1:24:41] MORE ABOUT.
[1:24:41] THAT AS WELL BECAUSE I, I SHARE
[1:24:43] CONCERNS THAT I THINK UH,
[1:24:45] AGAIN, COUNCILMAN CULPEPPER YOU
[1:24:46] HAD ABOUT UH, SETTING LIMITS ON
[1:24:49] SERVING SIZES AND LIMITS ON HOW
[1:24:52] MANY SERVINGS CAN BE PACKAGED
[1:24:54] TOGETHER IN A IN A CONTAINER.
[1:24:56] UM BUT AS WAS NOTED IN
[1:24:58] TESTIMONY, KRATOM IS A
[1:24:59] BOTANICAL IN THE COFFEE FAMILY
[1:25:00] THAT HAS BEEN SAFELY USED FOR
[1:25:02] CENTURIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.
[1:25:04] IT CONTAINS AT LEAST 50 UNIQUE
[1:25:06] ALKALOIDS, THE MOST PREDOMINANT
[1:25:07] OF WHICH UH IS METRIC MINING.
[1:25:10] AND AS I NOTED AT THE OUTSET
[1:25:11] OF MY TESTIMONY, IT IS CRITICAL
[1:25:13] TO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT THAT
[1:25:15] NATURAL BOTANICAL HAS BEEN USED
[1:25:16] SAFELY FOR CENTURIES IS NOT THE
[1:25:19] SAME THING AS THESE SYNTHETIC
[1:25:20] AND SEMI-SYNTHETIC COMPOUNDS,
[1:25:22] UH, THAT PURPORT TO BE
[1:25:24] CREATED BUT OR NOT.
[1:25:25] UH AND FIRST LET ME SAY THE
[1:25:27] MISCONCEPTION THAT 7 OR 8 AND
[1:25:29] CREATE THEM ARE THE SAME WAS
[1:25:31] SOMETHING THAT WAS
[1:25:31] INTENTIONALLY PERPETUATED BY
[1:25:33] THE SEVEN OH AGE INDUSTRY.
[1:25:35] THEY OFTEN, AS I NOTED, USE
[1:25:37] VIGNETTES OF KRATOM LEAVES ON
[1:25:38] THEIR PACKAGING PACKAGING ALONG
[1:25:40] WITH FALSE CLAIMS THAT THEIR
[1:25:43] PRODUCTS ARE NATURAL AND THEY
[1:25:45] ENGAGED IN THIS CANARD FOR
[1:25:46] THREE REASONS FIRST, TO MISLEAD
[1:25:49] CONSUMERS WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE
[1:25:50] USING A NATURAL BOTANICAL WITH
[1:25:51] A LONG HISTORY OF SAFE USE TWO
[1:25:54] TO FALSELY SUGGEST THAT THEY
[1:25:55] HAVE THE SAME SAFETY PROFILE AS
[1:25:57] NATURAL BOTANICAL.
[1:25:58] THEY DON'T INTEND TO SHIFT
[1:26:00] BLAME FOR ADVERSE EVENTS FROM 7
[1:26:02] OR 8 TO KRATOM.
[1:26:04] AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE
[1:26:06] DESCRIBE 7 OR 8 IS KRATOM IT IN
[1:26:09] AND THEN WE'RE CONFUSED ABOUT
[1:26:12] UH THE SOURCE OF UH PARTICULAR
[1:26:14] ADVERSE EVENTS.
[1:26:16] THE SECOND THING I WOULD SAY IS
[1:26:17] THAT WHEN KRATOM LEAVES ARE
[1:26:19] FIRST HARVESTED THEY ACTUALLY
[1:26:20] DO NOT CONTAIN 708 UH,
[1:26:24] POST-HARVEST TRACE AMOUNTS
[1:26:24] OF MITCHELL GAINING CONVERT TO
[1:26:27] 7 OR 8 DUE TO OXIDATION AND
[1:26:29] THIS IS WHERE SOME OF THE BAD
[1:26:30] ACTORS HAD UH I GUESS AN
[1:26:32] EPIPHANY.
[1:26:33] THIS WAS THEIR LIGHT BULB
[1:26:34] MOMENT WHEN THEY LEARNED THAT
[1:26:35] TRACE AMOUNTS OF MITCHELL
[1:26:36] GREENING CONVERTED TO SEVEN UH
[1:26:40] HYDROXY MITCHELL GAINING DUE TO
[1:26:42] OXIDATION AND POST-HARVEST
[1:26:43] LEAVES.
[1:26:44] THEY REALIZED THAT THEY COULD
[1:26:46] DO THE SAME THING IN A LAB THAT
[1:26:48] THEY COULD TAKE MITCHELL
[1:26:49] GREENING, THEY COULD EXPOSE IT
[1:26:52] TO OXIDIZING AGENTS.
[1:26:53] THINK OF THINGS LIKE POOL SHOCK
[1:26:56] ,DRANO, BLEACH THINGS THAT ARE
[1:26:58] USED UH, FOR FOR OXIDIZING AND
[1:27:02] AND SO THEY'VE TAKEN AN
[1:27:04] ISOLATED.
[1:27:05] ONE ONE ALKALOID OUT OF THE
[1:27:08] KRATOM LEAF.
[1:27:09] THEY'VE SUBJECTED TO HARSH
[1:27:11] TOXIC CHEMICALS AND THEY'VE
[1:27:12] CREATED A BRAND NEW UH,
[1:27:14] CHEMICAL ENTITY SEVEN HYDROXY
[1:27:16] NATURE GUIDE.
[1:27:17] THEY THEN TAKE THAT CONDENSE IT
[1:27:21] UH, INTO UH PRODUCTS THAT
[1:27:24] CONTAIN UP TO LIKE 95% UH SEVEN
[1:27:27] HYDROXY TRAINING WHEREAS A
[1:27:30] POST-HARVEST LEAF MIGHT HAVE
[1:27:32] LIKE .00, YOU KNOW FOUR SO IT'S
[1:27:36] VERY DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT
[1:27:37] AMOUNTS.
[1:27:38] AND THE SIMPLE ANALOGY NICELY
[1:27:40] ILLUSTRATES WHY SEVEN WHICH IS
[1:27:42] NOT CREATIVE.
[1:27:42] IMAGINE WE DID THAT THE SAME
[1:27:44] THING TO THE COFFEE BEAN.
[1:27:47] WE TOOK THE MOST PREDOMINANT
[1:27:48] ALKALOID IN THE COFFEE BEAN
[1:27:50] WHICH HAPPENS TO BE CAFFEINE.
[1:27:53] UH AND IF WE TOOK AND EXTRACTED
[1:27:54] JUST THE CAFFEINE AND WE THEN
[1:27:57] EXPOSED IT TO HARSH CHEMICALS
[1:27:58] AND CREATED A BRAND NEW
[1:28:01] CHEMICAL ENTITY, WE WOULDN'T
[1:28:03] CALL THAT NEW CHEMICAL ENTITY
[1:28:04] COFFEE.
[1:28:06] IT CEASED TO BE COFFEE.
[1:28:08] YOU KNOW.
[1:28:09] IT STARTED WITH ONE OF THE
[1:28:11] ALKALOIDS IN COFFEE BUT THROUGH
[1:28:13] CHEMISTRY TURNED IT INTO
[1:28:14] SOMETHING NEW ALTOGETHER.
[1:28:17] SO THEY CREATED WAS USED BY 20
[1:28:18] MILLION AMERICANS TO INCREASE
[1:28:19] FOCUS AND ENERGY UH, TO PROVIDE
[1:28:22] A MILD BOOST IN MOOD AND RELIEF
[1:28:23] FROM MINOR ACHES AND PAINS
[1:28:24] ASSOCIATED WITH PHYSICAL
[1:28:25] ACTIVITY.
[1:28:26] AND THE NATURAL BOTANICAL HAS
[1:28:28] BENEFICIAL EFFECTS WITH
[1:28:29] RELATIVELY LOW POTENTIAL FOR
[1:28:31] HARM.
[1:28:31] AND WE UH, URGED MEMBERS OF THE
[1:28:33] CITY COUNCIL TO CONTINUE WITH
[1:28:35] THE PROPOSAL TO REGULATE THE
[1:28:37] BUT AGAIN BOTANICAL INSTEAD
[1:28:39] OF BANNING IT.
[1:28:40] UH, FINALLY, I DO APPRECIATE
[1:28:42] THAT THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER
[1:28:43] THINGS GOING ON UM, UH, BOTH
[1:28:46] NATIONALLY AND IN MASSACHUSETTS
[1:28:48] RIGHT NOW.
[1:28:49] UM, I NOTED EARLIER THAT THE
[1:28:51] UH, DA'S IN THE PROCESS
[1:28:54] OF SCHEDULING A NUMBER
[1:28:56] OF PRODUCTS.
[1:28:56] THEY'VE ALREADY PLACED A NUMBER
[1:28:58] OF THEM ON SCHEDULE ONE SO
[1:28:59] THEY'RE ALREADY BANNED.
[1:29:01] UH, THEY EXTENDED THE COMMENT
[1:29:02] PERIOD ON SEVEN HYDROXY METRIC
[1:29:04] I NEED TO SEPTEMBER 10TH THAT'S
[1:29:05] NOW PASSED.
[1:29:06] WE ANTICIPATE THAT THE DEA WILL
[1:29:08] ISSUE, UH, ITS EMERGENCY RULE
[1:29:11] SCHEDULING UH, SEVEN HYDROXY
[1:29:14] BEGINNING IN THE NEXT COUPLE
[1:29:15] OF WEEKS.
[1:29:16] UM, UH, SECOND, WE UNDERSTAND I
[1:29:19] UNDERSTAND THAT THE GOVERNOR
[1:29:20] ISSUED AN EMERGENCY.
[1:29:21] ORDER RESTRICTING THE SALE
[1:29:23] OF BOTH THE NATURAL BOTANICAL
[1:29:25] AND SYNTHETICS.
[1:29:27] UM, I LIKE THE IDEA THAT, UH,
[1:29:29] COUNCILMAN FITZGERALD OF ADDING
[1:29:30] AN EFFECTIVE DATE TO YOUR YOUR
[1:29:32] BILL.
[1:29:33] UH, I WOULD NOT SET UP FOR A
[1:29:35] YEAR FROM THE DATE OF OF THE,
[1:29:37] UH WHERE THE, UH, GOVERNOR'S
[1:29:39] ORDER SUNSETS BECAUSE THERE'S
[1:29:41] LOTS OF THINGS THAT COULD
[1:29:42] HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND THEN
[1:29:44] INCLUDING, UH, YOU KNOW, THE
[1:29:47] GOVERNOR WITHDRAWING IT, UH,
[1:29:49] BASED ON WHAT THE DEA IS ABOUT
[1:29:51] READY TO DO IN TWO WEEKS.
[1:29:52] UH, TYPICALLY STATES LIKE THAT,
[1:29:54] UH, PATTERN AND TRACK WHAT THE
[1:29:57] DEA DOES AND THE DEA IS CLEARLY
[1:29:59] ONLY BANNING UH, SEVEN HYDROXY
[1:30:02] UH IN PSEUDO AND DOC'S ALL MGM
[1:30:04] UH 15 MGM 16 UM THERE'S
[1:30:08] LITIGATION RIGHT NOW THAT COULD
[1:30:10] RESOLVE UH UH UH OR HAVE IMPACT
[1:30:13] THE GOVERNOR'S BAN UM THE
[1:30:17] MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE COULD
[1:30:18] STEP IN AND DO SOMETHING.
[1:30:19] SO UH I GUESS I WOULD STRONGLY
[1:30:22] RECOMMEND AN EFFECTIVE DATE
[1:30:24] OF WHEN THAT BAN CEASES BEING
[1:30:26] EFFECTIVE FOR A VARIETY
[1:30:27] OF THOSE DIFFERENT REASONS
[1:30:29] EITHER BECAUSE THE DEA IS NOW
[1:30:32] ACTING, UH, THE THE THE BANNED
[1:30:34] THE SYNTHETIC SUBSTANCES AND UH
[1:30:37] OR BECAUSE OF THE OUTCOME
[1:30:39] OF LITIGATION OR LEGISLATION.
[1:30:41] SO WITH THAT I UH HAPPY TO
[1:30:43] ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT UH UH
[1:30:46] THAT YOU MAY HAVE UH AFTER THE
[1:30:47] UH I GUESS AFTER THE OTHER
[1:30:49] MEMBERS OF THE PANEL SPEAK.
[1:30:50] THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU
[1:30:52] FOR THAT.
[1:30:52] UM, VERY THOROUGH AND
[1:30:53] THOUGHTFUL TESTIMONY.
[1:30:55] YOUR CM CORRECT CORRECT.
[1:30:57] OKAY.
[1:30:58] YOU'RE UP AND THEN MATTHEW LOWE
[1:30:59] WHO IS ON VIRTUALLY.
[1:31:01] UH, MADAM CHAIRMAN.
[1:31:03] MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
[1:31:03] THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY
[1:31:04] TO SPEAK FOR THE 24 MILLION
[1:31:07] PLUS AMERICANS WHO SAFELY
[1:31:09] CONSUME KRATOM PRODUCTS.
[1:31:10] UH, IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE
[1:31:13] DISTINCTION THAT, UH,
[1:31:15] MR BRADSHAW MENTIONED IS
[1:31:17] RECOGNIZED IN A REGULATORY WAY
[1:31:19] THAT, UH, 70H IS NOT KRATOM.
[1:31:22] UH, I PRODUCED A DOCUMENT FOR
[1:31:24] YOU UNDER TAB ONE OF THAT
[1:31:25] DOCUMENT.
[1:31:26] I HAVE THE PRESS RELEASE FROM
[1:31:28] JULY 29TH OF 2025 WHERE THE
[1:31:32] SECRETARY OF HHS, THE FDA
[1:31:34] COMMISSIONER, THEN COMMISSIONER
[1:31:36] MCCARRY AND THE DEA ASSOCIATE
[1:31:38] COMMISSIONER SPOKE AND SAID
[1:31:40] THAT THERE IS A DISTINCTION
[1:31:42] BETWEEN THIS CHEMICALLY
[1:31:44] MANIPULATED SEVEN ZERO PRODUCT
[1:31:46] AND THE THEN SYNTHETICALLY
[1:31:49] DERIVED UH MGM 15 AND 16 AND
[1:31:51] SUIT AND OXO PRODUCTS.
[1:31:53] AND THAT DISTINCTION IS
[1:31:54] CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE
[1:31:56] SAFETY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
[1:31:58] UH, THIS PRESS RELEASE DREW
[1:32:00] THAT DISTINCTION AND
[1:32:01] MR BRADSHAW GAVE YOU FURTHER
[1:32:03] TEXTURE TO IT.
[1:32:04] IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHEN
[1:32:06] THE BIG MARKETS SPLASH OF THESE
[1:32:08] BAD ACTORS, SEVEN MANUFACTURERS
[1:32:11] PUT THEIR PRODUCTS ON THE
[1:32:12] MARKET, THEY DID SO CALLING IT
[1:32:15] KRATOM AND CONSUMERS WOULD GO
[1:32:17] INTO RETAIL OUTLETS THINKING
[1:32:20] THAT THEY WERE PURCHASING A
[1:32:21] NATURAL KRATOM LEAF PRODUCT.
[1:32:23] THEY WERE DECEIVED INTO
[1:32:25] THINKING IT WAS THAT WAS IT AND
[1:32:26] THEY WENT HOME WITH A
[1:32:28] CHEMICALLY MANIPULATED OPIOID.
[1:32:30] AND THE RESULT OF THAT ARE ALL
[1:32:32] THE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES THAT
[1:32:35] COME FROM THE CONSUMPTION OF A
[1:32:37] SIGNATURE OPIOID WITH ALL
[1:32:39] OF THE RISKS THAT ARE
[1:32:40] ASSOCIATED WITH IT, INCLUDING
[1:32:42] ADDICTION AND DEATH.
[1:32:43] THE SECOND UH, TAB I PROVIDED
[1:32:46] FOR YOU THE CDC REPORT FROM
[1:32:49] 2019 AND THIS PARTICULAR REPORT
[1:32:51] IS SIGNIFICANT ON A NUMBER
[1:32:53] OF LEVELS BUT ONE, IT CLARIFIES
[1:32:55] THAT KRATOM IS NOT AN OPIOID.
[1:32:57] YOU WILL HEAR PEOPLE SAY WHO
[1:32:59] ARE ANTI-TRADE AND CRITICS THAT
[1:33:01] KRATOM ITSELF IS AN OPIOID AND
[1:33:03] THE JUSTIFICATION THEY PROVIDE
[1:33:05] FOR THAT IS THAT KRATOM
[1:33:07] ACTIVATES THE MU OPIOID
[1:33:09] RECEPTORS IN OUR BODIES.
[1:33:10] THAT IS A TRUE STATEMENT.
[1:33:12] BUT THAT IS NOT THE DEFINITION
[1:33:14] OF AN OPIOID BECAUSE METRO
[1:33:15] ARGININE AMONG THE 54 ALKALOIDS
[1:33:18] IN THE KRATOM PLANT ACTUALLY IS
[1:33:21] A PARTIAL AGONIST AND ITS
[1:33:23] ACTIVITY AT THE MU OPIOID
[1:33:25] RECEPTORS IS NOTHING LIKE A
[1:33:28] SIGNATURE OPIOID.
[1:33:29] UH, IT DOES NOT GO TO THE
[1:33:30] EUPHORIC HIGH CENTER OF YOUR
[1:33:31] BRAIN.
[1:33:32] IT DOES NOT CAUSE RESPIRATORY
[1:33:34] SUPPRESSION.
[1:33:35] AND THAT DISTINCTION IS
[1:33:36] IMPORTANT.
[1:33:37] IT'S CLARIFIED BY THE CENTERS
[1:33:38] FOR DISEASE CONTROL WHERE IT
[1:33:39] SAYS THAT KRATOM IS NOT AN
[1:33:41] OPIOID.
[1:33:42] IN THE THIRD TAB I PROVIDED YOU
[1:33:45] WITH THE DOSE FINDING STUDY
[1:33:47] CONDUCTED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG
[1:33:49] ADMINISTRATION THAT MR BRADSHAW
[1:33:50] REFERENCED WHERE AT A
[1:33:52] SIGNIFICANT LEVEL OF METRO
[1:33:54] ARGININE AND THEY WERE TRYING
[1:33:55] BY THE WAY STARTING WITH A
[1:33:58] SINGLE DOSE SINGLE SINGLE GRAM
[1:34:00] THEY ESCALATED THE GRAMS THAT
[1:34:03] WERE GIVEN TO THE PARTICIPANTS
[1:34:05] IN THIS STUDY.
[1:34:06] THE PARTICIPANTS WERE WIRED UP
[1:34:08] AND THEY WERE MEASURED WITHIN
[1:34:10] FIVE MINUTES OF THE CONSUMPTION
[1:34:11] OF THE PRODUCT.
[1:34:13] THEY WERE LOOKING FOR ADVERSE
[1:34:15] EVENTS.
[1:34:15] THEY WERE LOOKING TO SEE AT
[1:34:16] WHAT POINT KRATOM INDUCED AN
[1:34:18] ADVERSE EVENT AND THEY GOT TO
[1:34:20] THAT SIGNIFICANTLY HIGH LEVEL
[1:34:22] AND ALL THEY SAW WAS THAT
[1:34:25] KRATOM PRODUCED SOME NAUSEA
[1:34:27] WHICH THE UH THE PLACEBO
[1:34:31] COHORT UH, EQUALLY EXPERIENCED
[1:34:34] BECAUSE CONSUMING THAT MUCH
[1:34:35] PLANT MATERIAL IN THAT SHORT
[1:34:37] PERIOD OF TIME IS SIMPLY GOING
[1:34:39] TO MAKE YOU SICK.
[1:34:40] THEY DID OBSERVE THAT THERE IS
[1:34:41] SOME PAPILLARY CONSTRICTION
[1:34:44] CONSISTENT WITH OPIOID LIKE
[1:34:45] BEHAVIORS, BUT IT WAS SO SMALL
[1:34:46] AND INSIGNIFICANT THAT THE FDA
[1:34:49] CALLED OFF THE STUDY AND AS
[1:34:51] MR BRADSHAW MENTIONED TO YOU,
[1:34:52] THEY SAID THAT THE KRATOM IS
[1:34:54] WELL TOLERATED AT ALL DOSE
[1:34:55] LEVELS.
[1:34:56] THIS IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT
[1:34:58] CHANGED THE FDA'S TRAJECTORY ON
[1:35:00] THEIR VIEW OF NATURAL KRATOM
[1:35:02] LEAF PRODUCTS.
[1:35:03] WHEN THAT REPORT WAS CONCLUDED
[1:35:05] ,I ALSO INCLUDED UNDER THAT
[1:35:07] TAB THE NIH INVESTIGATIONAL NEW
[1:35:09] DRUG APPLICATION THAT WAS
[1:35:11] ANNOUNCED ON JUNE 1ST OF 2026.
[1:35:14] THIS IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE
[1:35:16] THERE HAVE BEEN ANECDOTAL
[1:35:17] REPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED
[1:35:19] ,INCLUDING SOME CONSUMER
[1:35:21] SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE
[1:35:22] NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG
[1:35:24] ABUSE FUNDED BY THEM THAT WERE
[1:35:25] DONE BY JOHNS HOPKINS
[1:35:27] UNIVERSITY WHERE THEY MEASURED
[1:35:30] 3000 UH, OPIOID ADDICTS AND
[1:35:32] PEOPLE THESE ADDICTS WERE USING
[1:35:34] KRATOM TO GET OFF OF THE
[1:35:36] OPIOID, AND 87% REPORTED THAT
[1:35:38] THEY HAD A REDUCTION IN THEIR
[1:35:40] WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS.
[1:35:41] THAT'S WHY THE NATIONAL
[1:35:43] INSTITUTES OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED
[1:35:46] A INVESTIGATIONAL NEW DRUG
[1:35:47] APPLICATION FOR PURIFIED METRO
[1:35:49] GENE HIGH CONCENTRATED DOSE TO
[1:35:51] SEE IF IT CAN HELP WITH OPIOID
[1:35:53] USE DISORDER.
[1:35:54] IT IS A SIGNIFICANT ADVANCE IN
[1:35:56] THE SCIENCE AND CERTAINLY ONE
[1:35:58] THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING
[1:35:59] FOR CLOSELY IN THE FOURTH TAB I
[1:36:02] PROVIDE TO YOU HERE SOME A VERY
[1:36:04] SIGNIFICANT STUDY THAT IS A
[1:36:06] PEER REVIEWED PUBLISHED ARTICLE
[1:36:07] THAT HAPPENED IN 2016.
[1:36:10] IN THAT STUDY, THE RESEARCHERS
[1:36:12] FOUND THAT THERE WERE PRODUCT
[1:36:14] COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS LABELED AS
[1:36:16] KRATOM ON THE MARKET IN 2016
[1:36:19] WHICH SHOWED THAT IN SOME
[1:36:22] OF THOSE PRODUCTS THERE WAS AN
[1:36:23] INCREASE OF 500% OF SEVEN OR
[1:36:26] ABOVE WHAT THE NATURALLY
[1:36:27] OCCURRING LEVEL WAS DOING.
[1:36:29] THESE BAD ACTORS HAD BEEN
[1:36:31] ACTIVE IN THE KRATOM SPACE FOR
[1:36:33] A LONG TIME AND EVERYONE WILL
[1:36:35] TELL YOU ALL WAS 2023.
[1:36:38] THAT'S WHEN THE HIGHLY
[1:36:39] COMMERCIALIZED BIG MARKET
[1:36:41] SPLASH OCCURRED.
[1:36:42] BUT THESE PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN
[1:36:43] OUT THERE AND WE AT THE ICA
[1:36:47] RECOGNIZED IT.
[1:36:48] WE HAVE SINCE 2018 BEEN
[1:36:51] ADVOCATING FOR STATE
[1:36:52] LEGISLATORS TO BAN ANY
[1:36:54] CONCENTRATED LEVELS OF SEVEN
[1:36:57] BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT THESE
[1:36:58] ADULTERATED PRODUCTS WERE ON
[1:36:59] THE MARKETPLACE.
[1:37:01] 22 STATES HAVE ENACTED VARIOUS
[1:37:03] FORMS OF OUR KRATOM CONSUMER
[1:37:04] PROTECTION ACT AND WE HOPE THAT
[1:37:06] MASSACHUSETTS WILL JOIN THEM.
[1:37:08] INTERESTINGLY, RHODE ISLAND
[1:37:10] ADOPTED THAT REPEALED THEIR BAN
[1:37:11] ,WHICH HAD BEEN INSTITUTED IN
[1:37:13] 2015 AT THE REQUEST OF THE FDA
[1:37:16] WHO AT THE TIME BELIEVED THAT
[1:37:17] KRATOM WAS IN FACT A DANGEROUS
[1:37:20] DRUG AND THEY'VE SINCE
[1:37:21] OF COURSE CHANGED THAT POLICY.
[1:37:23] BUT RHODE ISLAND REPEALED THEIR
[1:37:25] LAW LAST YEAR AND THEY NOW HAVE
[1:37:27] A KRATOM CONSUMER PROTECTION
[1:37:29] ACT.
[1:37:29] THERE ALSO IS A DOCUMENT THAT
[1:37:31] SHOWS YOU THE POISON CONTROL
[1:37:33] CENTER DATA.
[1:37:34] YOU WILL HEAR CRITICS OF KRATOM
[1:37:36] SAY OH, THERE'S A HUGE SPIKE IN
[1:37:38] REPORTS ABOUT KRATOM TO THE
[1:37:41] POISON CONTROL CENTERS.
[1:37:42] THAT IS A TRUE FACT.
[1:37:43] THE PROBLEM IS WHEN PEOPLE CALL
[1:37:46] THE POISON CONTROL CENTER THEY
[1:37:48] THINK THEY'RE REPORTING KRATOM
[1:37:49] AND YOU SEE THE SPIKE IN CALLS
[1:37:51] THAT CAME IN 2025 THAT MORE
[1:37:54] THAN DOUBLED THE ONES OF THE
[1:37:56] PREVIOUS YEARS WHICH UP UNTIL
[1:37:57] THAT TIME HAD BEEN PRETTY FLAT.
[1:37:59] AND THE TRUTH HERE IS THAT THE
[1:38:02] 7 OR 8 PRODUCTS ARE RESPONSIBLE
[1:38:04] FOR THE SPIKE IN THESE POISON
[1:38:06] CONTROL CENTER CALLS, AND IT IS
[1:38:08] WHY EVERYONE SHOULD BE ALARMED
[1:38:10] IN AMERICA I THEN INCLUDED THE
[1:38:12] NATIONAL I'M SORRY THE NMS LABS
[1:38:14] STATEMENT ABOUT TESTING
[1:38:17] OF MISOGYNY.
[1:38:18] ANIMUS LABS IS THE LARGEST
[1:38:20] FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY FIRM IN THE
[1:38:21] COUNTRY.
[1:38:22] THEY HANDLE A LOT OF THE
[1:38:24] CORONERS AND MEDICAL EXAMINERS
[1:38:25] TOX SCREEN WHEN FATALITIES
[1:38:27] OCCUR THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH
[1:38:29] ANY DRUG PRODUCT AND THEY
[1:38:30] EVALUATE KRATOM CAUSED DEATH OR
[1:38:33] KRATOM ASSOCIATED DEATHS AT
[1:38:34] LEAST AS THEY HAVE BEEN
[1:38:35] DESCRIBED BY MEDICAL EXAMINERS
[1:38:38] .
[1:38:38] UH, THEY HAVE NOW DETERMINED
[1:38:40] THAT IT IS NO LONGER A VALID
[1:38:43] TESTING METHODOLOGY FOR ANY
[1:38:45] CORONER OR MEDICAL EXAMINER TO
[1:38:47] SUGGEST THAT BECAUSE KRATOM WAS
[1:38:49] PRESENT, MISOGYNY WAS PRESENT
[1:38:51] THAT THAT SHOULD BE ATTRIBUTED
[1:38:53] TO AS A CAUSE OF OR A
[1:38:54] CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE
[1:38:55] DEATH.
[1:38:56] IT IS MORE COMPLEX THAN THAT.
[1:38:58] YOU WILL HEAR FAMILIES THAT
[1:39:00] WILL TELL YOU THAT WE THAT THEY
[1:39:02] EXPERIENCED A DEATH FROM A
[1:39:04] NATURAL LEAF KRATOM PRODUCT
[1:39:06] BECAUSE IT HAPPENED BEFORE THE
[1:39:08] SEVEN PRODUCTS CAME ON THE
[1:39:10] MARKET.
[1:39:10] THAT OF COURSE IS DEBUNKED BY
[1:39:12] WHAT WE SAW IN 2016.
[1:39:14] BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY NOW NMS
[1:39:16] LABS HAS RECOGNIZED THAT THE
[1:39:18] COMPLEXITY OF THIS FOR MEDICAL
[1:39:19] EXAMINERS AND CORONERS REQUIRES
[1:39:22] A REEVALUATION OF ALL OF THAT.
[1:39:25] WE OBVIOUSLY SHOULD HAVE A
[1:39:27] GREAT EMPATHY FOR ANYONE WHO
[1:39:29] EXPERIENCES THE LOSS OF A LOVED
[1:39:30] ONE IN THEIR FAMILY, AND I DO
[1:39:33] NOT DOUBT ANY OF THEM WHO
[1:39:34] BELIEVE THAT KRATOM WAS THE
[1:39:36] CAUSE OF THEIR DEATH BECAUSE
[1:39:37] THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE TOLD BY A
[1:39:39] CORONER OR MEDICAL EXAMINER.
[1:39:40] BUT THE FACTS NOW SHOW THAT
[1:39:43] THOSE FINDINGS BY THOSE
[1:39:45] PROFESSIONALS NEED TO BE
[1:39:47] REEXAMINED.
[1:39:47] AND OBVIOUSLY THAT'S AN
[1:39:48] IMPORTANT LEVEL.
[1:39:49] THE LAST DOCUMENT I HAVE IS A
[1:39:52] LETTER FROM SECRETARY BECERRA,
[1:39:54] UH, IN MARCH 16TH OF 2022 TO
[1:39:56] MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
[1:39:58] WHEN ASKED SPECIFICALLY
[1:40:00] SPECIFICALLY WHAT ARE THE
[1:40:02] HAZARDS OF CONSUMING KRATOM AND
[1:40:04] AND SECRETARY BACERRA RESPONDED
[1:40:07] BY SAYING AND YOU'LL SEE THE
[1:40:08] HIGHLIGHTED PORTION ON THE
[1:40:09] SECOND PAGE THAT ESSENTIALLY
[1:40:11] SAYS THAT KRATOM DEATHS ARE
[1:40:13] RARE BUT WHEN THEY DO OCCUR
[1:40:17] THEY ARE BECAUSE OF ADULTERATED
[1:40:18] PRODUCTS OR BECAUSE OF POLY
[1:40:20] SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
[1:40:21] AND SO THIS MYTHOLOGY THAT HAS
[1:40:23] BEEN DEVELOPED AROUND THE
[1:40:25] HAZARDS OF KRATOM IS NOW BEING
[1:40:26] CLARIFIED TO THE NATIONAL
[1:40:28] LEVEL.
[1:40:29] WE APPLAUD WHAT, UH WHAT YOU'RE
[1:40:31] DOING, MR FITZGERALD HERE TO
[1:40:33] DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE
[1:40:34] SYNTHETIC.
[1:40:35] PRODUCTS THAT ARE DANGEROUS
[1:40:37] OPIOIDS AND NATURAL LEAF
[1:40:39] CREATING.
[1:40:39] PRODUCTS BECAUSE I WILL
[1:40:41] CONCLUDE BY TELLING YOU THAT I
[1:40:43] HAVE SAT IN HUNDREDS
[1:40:44] OF HEARINGS LIKE THESE AND I
[1:40:46] HAVE HEARD THE APPEALS FROM
[1:40:48] KRATOM CONSUMERS WHO RELY UPON
[1:40:50] KRATOM IN ORDER TO SAVE THEIR
[1:40:52] LIVES BECAUSE THEY ARE MANAGING
[1:40:55] THEIR ACUTE AND CHRONIC PAIN
[1:40:56] WITH KRATOM A NATURAL PLANT.
[1:40:58] AND THAT DOESN'T BY THE WAY
[1:41:00] MEAN IT'S SAFE BECAUSE IT HAS
[1:41:02] TO BE SAFELY MANUFACTURED AND
[1:41:02] REGULATED.
[1:41:03] BUT THEY'RE MANAGING THAT ACUTE
[1:41:05] AND CHRONIC PAIN AS AN
[1:41:07] ALTERNATIVE TO OPIOIDS WHICH
[1:41:09] OBVIOUSLY HAVE HIGH RISKS.
[1:41:11] I'LL CONCLUDE WITH THIS
[1:41:12] EXPERIENCE I GOT INTO AN UBER
[1:41:14] DRIVING TO THE AIRPORT AND AS
[1:41:17] YOU KNOW THE IF YOUR FIRST NAME
[1:41:18] POPS UP ON THIS UH ON THE UBER
[1:41:20] DRIVER AND THE UBER DRIVER
[1:41:22] TURNED AROUND AND SAID TO ME HE
[1:41:23] SAID ARE YOU MACCHIATO WITH THE
[1:41:25] AK?
[1:41:26] I SAID I AM AND HE SAID THE AK
[1:41:29] SAVED MY LIFE BECAUSE I SERVED
[1:41:32] TWO TOURS IN AFGHANISTAN.
[1:41:34] I WAS BANGED UP.
[1:41:35] I WAS IN THE VA PROGRAM, HE
[1:41:36] SAID.
[1:41:37] AND I WAS A ZOMBIE AND ONE
[1:41:39] OF THE GUYS IN THAT TREATMENT
[1:41:41] PROGRAM SAID YOU SHOULD TRY
[1:41:42] KRATOM.
[1:41:43] AND HE SAID IT SAVED ME BECAUSE
[1:41:46] NOW I'M FUNCTIONING.
[1:41:47] I HAVE MY FAMILY BACK, I HAVE
[1:41:48] MY LIFE BACK.
[1:41:49] I CAN SOCIALIZE WITH PEOPLE AND
[1:41:51] THAT MESSAGE IS BEING REPEATED
[1:41:53] OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
[1:41:54] AND JUST LAST WEEK WE HAD UH,
[1:41:56] MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON D.C.
[1:41:58] WITH THE HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS
[1:42:00] I'M SORRY, THE VETERANS AFFAIRS
[1:42:01] COMMITTEE WHERE THESE VETERANS
[1:42:03] WERE ABLE TO EXPRESS THOSE
[1:42:05] STORIES AND TELL THEM AND IT IS
[1:42:07] CHANGING THE WAY THAT THE
[1:42:08] FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING
[1:42:10] AT THIS ISSUE AND IT'S ONE THAT
[1:42:12] WE THINK AND SUPPORT WHAT
[1:42:14] YOU'RE TRYING TO DO HERE A BAN
[1:42:16] DOES NOT IT DOES NOT ADDRESS
[1:42:18] THE REAL ISSUES HERE.
[1:42:20] IT HAS TO BE SPECIALIZED AND
[1:42:21] TARGETED TO THOSE SYNTHETIC
[1:42:23] PRODUCTS.
[1:42:23] THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY
[1:42:24] TO BE HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS
[1:42:26] THESE VIEWPOINTS TO YOU.
[1:42:29] THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[1:42:30] UH WE'LL GO TO MATTHEW ONLINE.
[1:42:33] HI.
[1:42:33] CAN YOU HEAR ME?
[1:42:34] WE CAN.
[1:42:36] GREAT.
[1:42:36] UH.
[1:42:37] CHAIR MEMBERS.
[1:42:38] OF THE COMMITTEE, THANK YOU
[1:42:39] VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
[1:42:40] MY NAME IS MATTHEW LUO.
[1:42:41] I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
[1:42:43] OF THE GLOBAL KRATOM COALITION
[1:42:44] .
[1:42:45] WE ARE AN ALLIANCE OF CONSUMERS
[1:42:47] ,EXPERTS AND INDUSTRY LEADERS
[1:42:48] UM, ALL PUSHING FOR THE
[1:42:50] REGULATION OF NATURAL KRATOM
[1:42:51] LEAF AND THIS CRITICAL
[1:42:53] DISTINCTION THAT'S BEEN MADE
[1:42:54] THROUGHOUT THE TESTIMONY TODAY
[1:42:56] BETWEEN THESE SYNTHETIC
[1:42:57] PRODUCTS THAT ARE MASQUERADING
[1:42:59] AS NATURAL CREATIVITY UM HERE
[1:43:01] TODAY TO SUPPORT UM UH DOCKET
[1:43:05] 1414 UH I THINK IT'S A WELL
[1:43:07] THOUGHT OUT PIECE
[1:43:08] OF LEGISLATION THAT WILL MAKE A
[1:43:10] DIFFERENCE.
[1:43:10] UM UH, TO BOSTON I WANT TO
[1:43:13] BEGIN TO BY BEING VERY CLEAR
[1:43:15] I'M NOT HERE TO SUPPORT ANY
[1:43:17] SYNTHETIC, UH, PRODUCTS THAT
[1:43:18] ARE ON THE MARKET MASQUERADING
[1:43:19] AS NATURAL KRATOM.
[1:43:21] WE ARE ONLY SPEAKING ABOUT
[1:43:22] NATURAL KRATOM LEAF AND WE DO
[1:43:24] NOT WANT, UM, ANY OF THESE
[1:43:26] SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS THAT ARE
[1:43:28] CAUSING SIGNIFICANT HARM ACROSS
[1:43:29] THE NATION TO BE SOLD, UH, IN
[1:43:32] BOSTON.
[1:43:34] SO I THINK ONE OF THE MOST
[1:43:35] CRITICAL THINGS THAT I WANT TO
[1:43:36] ADDRESS IS THAT OFTEN WHEN WE
[1:43:38] IN THESE HEARINGS BECAUSE IT'S
[1:43:39] THE FIRST TIME MANY PEOPLE ARE
[1:43:41] HEARING ABOUT CREATING ABOUT
[1:43:43] CREATION, THEY ASSUME THE
[1:43:44] CREATOR IS SOMETHING NEW.
[1:43:45] I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT NATURAL
[1:43:47] CREATES A LEAF IS NOT NEW.
[1:43:48] IT'S BEEN.
[1:43:49] CONSUMED FOR CENTURIES IN
[1:43:50] SOUTHEAST ASIA.
[1:43:51] UM, AND IT'S BEEN CONSUMED
[1:43:52] SINCE THE 1970S IN THE UNITED
[1:43:54] STATES WAS BROUGHT BACK BY
[1:43:56] VIETNAM VETERANS AND HAS BEEN
[1:43:57] CONSUMED EVER SINCE AND IS NOW
[1:43:59] CONSUMED BY 23 MILLION
[1:44:01] AMERICANS ACROSS THE UNITED
[1:44:03] STATES AND CONSUMED SAFELY.
[1:44:06] UM.
[1:44:08] AND AND THE REASON WHY WE
[1:44:09] CAN SAY IT'S CONSUME SAFELY IS
[1:44:11] IF WE LOOK AT THE DATA IN
[1:44:13] TOTALITY AND YOU LOOK AT IT IN
[1:44:15] A RELATIVE LANDSCAPE AND NOT IN
[1:44:16] ISOLATION WHEN YOU LOOK AT
[1:44:18] POISON CONTROL CALLS, WHEN YOU
[1:44:19] LOOK AT UM PHASE AND CASE
[1:44:21] ADVERSE EVENTS, YOU'RE TALKING
[1:44:23] ABOUT A TINY TINY FRACTION WHEN
[1:44:26] COMPARED TO MANY OTHER WIDELY
[1:44:27] USED SUBSTANCES.
[1:44:29] THERE'S BEEN A LITANY
[1:44:31] OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH UM,
[1:44:33] THAT'S BEEN DONE UH, ON NATURAL
[1:44:34] CREATIVE MANY OF WHICH IS
[1:44:36] EMANATING OUT OF THE UNITED
[1:44:37] STATES COMING IN FROM THE
[1:44:38] UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA AT JOHN
[1:44:40] HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON
[1:44:41] UNIVERSITY THERE'S MORE THAN
[1:44:44] 1000 SCIENTIFIC PAPERS THAT
[1:44:46] HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED ON NATURAL
[1:44:47] CREATIVE NEED FOR AND WE'D BE
[1:44:49] HAPPY TO SHARE THE 1000 WITH
[1:44:50] YOU AND THEN GIVE YOU SUMMARIES
[1:44:53] THEREOF.
[1:44:53] BUT I THINK EVEN MORE
[1:44:55] IMPORTANTLY IF WE COMBINE THE
[1:44:56] LONG TERM USE OF NATURAL
[1:44:59] CREATINE INCLUDING ITS 50 YEARS
[1:45:00] OF USE IN THE UNITED STATES,
[1:45:02] THERE'S ALSO 18 HUMAN CLINICAL
[1:45:05] TRIALS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE ON
[1:45:06] NATURAL CREDIT TO BEEF.
[1:45:07] THAT INCLUDES THE FDA CLINICAL
[1:45:09] TRIAL WHICH HAS BEEN SPOKEN
[1:45:11] ABOUT BY THE TWO AND UH
[1:45:13] PANELISTS.
[1:45:13] I WON'T.
[1:45:14] GO INTO.
[1:45:14] MORE DETAIL THERE, BUT THERE
[1:45:16] IS A VIEW OUT THERE THAT
[1:45:17] NATURAL CREATINE IS NEW, THAT
[1:45:19] THERE ISN'T A LOT OF SCIENTIFIC
[1:45:20] RESEARCH TO SUPPORT IT SAFETY
[1:45:22] I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT IT'S
[1:45:23] NOT TRUE.
[1:45:24] THERE'S A LITANY OF RESEARCH
[1:45:26] AND THAT THAT SHOWS THAT IT IS
[1:45:28] SAFE.
[1:45:29] I THINK SOMETHING ELSE I WANT
[1:45:31] TO ADDRESS AND UM UH MR.
[1:45:33] HOW TO ADDRESS THAT UM, IS
[1:45:34] DEATHS RELATED TO CREIGHTON AND
[1:45:37] AGAIN I THINK WE'VE GOT A WE'VE
[1:45:39] GOT A PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN YOU
[1:45:42] SEE HEADLINES FOR A STATE COME
[1:45:44] UP AND SAY THERE'S BEEN 50
[1:45:46] DEATHS AND FROM CREIGHTON OVER
[1:45:48] A 50 YEAR PERIOD THAT MAKES A
[1:45:50] GOOD HEADLINE.
[1:45:51] BUT WHEN YOU LOOK INTO THE
[1:45:53] NUANCE OF THE DATA, THE
[1:45:56] UNDERLYING UNDERLYING
[1:45:57] TOXICOLOGY REPORTS AND THE
[1:45:59] AUTOPSY REPORTS YOU ALWAYS FIND
[1:46:01] A MUCH MORE COMPLICATED STORY.
[1:46:03] UM, I'LL GIVE SOME EXAMPLES
[1:46:05] BECAUSE WE FOLLOW IT ACROSS THE
[1:46:07] UNITED STATES TO GET THIS AND
[1:46:08] THIS DETAIL.
[1:46:10] BUT WHEN WE SAY THAT 90%
[1:46:13] OF THOSE CREIGHTON AND UH,
[1:46:16] DEATHS OR CREIGHTON RELATED
[1:46:17] DEATHS ARE POLY SUBSTANCE,
[1:46:19] WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT JUST
[1:46:21] RANDOM EVERYDAY SUBSTANCES.
[1:46:23] WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FENTANYL,
[1:46:24] HEROIN, COCAINE,
[1:46:26] METHAMPHETAMINES WEIGHT.
[1:46:27] CREIGHTON WAS JUST SIMPLY
[1:46:29] DETECTED IN THAT AUTOPSY
[1:46:31] DETECTION IS NOT CAUSATION.
[1:46:32] AND IF YOU ARE DYING FROM
[1:46:34] FENTANYL OR POTENTIALLY
[1:46:37] COCAINE OR A GUNSHOT WOUND,
[1:46:39] CREIGHTON MIGHT BE IN YOUR
[1:46:40] SYSTEM.
[1:46:40] BUT IT'S VERY HARD TO SUGGEST
[1:46:42] THAT CREIGHTON IS WHAT KILLED
[1:46:43] YOU WHEN YOU'VE EITHER BEEN
[1:46:45] SHOT OR YOU'VE GOT FENTANYL ON
[1:46:47] YOUR SYSTEM COCAINE,
[1:46:48] METHAMPHETAMINES.
[1:46:50] SO I WOULD I WOULD ADVISE TO
[1:46:52] AVOID THE HEADLINE AND LOOK AT
[1:46:54] THE NUANCED DETAILS.
[1:46:56] UM UH CORRELATION IS NOT
[1:46:58] CAUSATION.
[1:46:59] DETECTION IS NOT CAUSATION.
[1:47:01] UM AND AGAIN THE FDA HAS STATED
[1:47:04] THAT CREIGHTON RELATED DEATHS
[1:47:06] ARE RARE AND WHEN THEY DO OCCUR
[1:47:08] THEY HAVE TYPICALLY POLY
[1:47:09] SUBSTANCE AND AGAIN THOSE POLY
[1:47:11] SUBSTANCES ARE OFTEN ILLICIT
[1:47:13] DRUGS.
[1:47:15] AND THE THE THE.
[1:47:18] PRODUCTS THAT HAVE COME INTO
[1:47:19] THE MARKET OVER THE LAST THREE
[1:47:21] YEARS ARE NOT KRATOM THEY ARE
[1:47:25] SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS.
[1:47:26] WHAT THEY'VE DONE IS THEY'VE
[1:47:27] USED CHEMICAL.
[1:47:28] SYNTHESIS TO AMP UP THE AMOUNT
[1:47:31] OF 7OH IN A PRODUCT BY A
[1:47:33] THOUSAND TIMES.
[1:47:34] THEY STRIP UP THE FIBER CONTENT
[1:47:35] THAT'S FOUND IN NATURAL LEAF,
[1:47:37] THE ANTIOXIDANTS AND ALL THE
[1:47:39] OTHER 50 DIFFERENT ALKALOIDS
[1:47:41] WHICH ALL WORK TOGETHER TO GIVE
[1:47:43] CREDIT TO ITS UNIQUE EFFECTS
[1:47:44] AND ALSO ITS SAFE EFFECTS AND
[1:47:47] THEN THEN PUT IT ON TO THE UH,
[1:47:48] THE MARKET IN TABLET FORM YOU
[1:47:51] DO NOT FIND NATURAL CREATINE
[1:47:52] LEAF IN TABLET FORM THE
[1:47:54] MAJORITY OF THE SYNTHETIC
[1:47:55] MARKET PROBABLY 70% OF IT IS IN
[1:47:57] TABLET FORM.
[1:47:58] THEY IN BROCCOLI COLORED
[1:48:00] PACKAGES THEY LOOK LIKE
[1:48:01] TRADITIONAL OPIOIDS.
[1:48:02] THEY'RE OFTEN MARKETED IN A WAY
[1:48:04] THAT WOULD MAKE YOU THINK
[1:48:05] THEY'RE AN OPIOID WITH NAMES
[1:48:07] LIKE OXEN, PIGS, UM COSMIC
[1:48:10] LUDES.
[1:48:10] AND THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT
[1:48:12] NATURAL CREATING THESE THEY'RE
[1:48:13] DANGEROUS AND YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY
[1:48:15] RIGHT TO WANT THEM OFF THE
[1:48:17] MARKET.
[1:48:17] I THINK WHAT'S CRITICAL HERE IS
[1:48:19] THE DISTINCTION THAT WE'RE
[1:48:20] MAKING IS NOT A DISTINCTION
[1:48:21] THAT WE MADE UP AS THE JC OR
[1:48:24] ANY OF THE ORGANIZATIONS RIGHT
[1:48:25] IN.
[1:48:25] FRONT OF YOU.
[1:48:26] THIS IS A DISTINCTION THAT'S
[1:48:28] VALIDATED BY THE LEADING
[1:48:29] SCIENTISTS ON TRADE AND IN THE
[1:48:31] UNITED STATES AND ALSO AS
[1:48:32] YOU'VE HEARD AT NAUSEUM BY THE
[1:48:34] DEA, UH, HHS AND FDA, THEY'VE
[1:48:38] AND FILED THEIR NOTICES
[1:48:40] OF INTENT TO SCHEDULE SYNTHETIC
[1:48:42] UM ALKALOID PRODUCTS.
[1:48:44] THE FIRST PART OF THAT IS DONE
[1:48:45] WHICH IS MGM 15, MGM 16 AND AND
[1:48:49] MICHIGAN IN SWEDEN DOXIL THE
[1:48:52] SECOND PART WHICH IN MY VIEW IS
[1:48:54] THE MOST.
[1:48:54] IMPORTANT PART THAT IS THE 7 OR
[1:48:57] 8 PRODUCTS IS IN THE FINAL
[1:48:58] REVIEW AND WE EXPECT THAT UM
[1:49:00] SCHEDULING TO HAPPEN WITHIN THE
[1:49:01] NEXT TWO WEEKS WHEN THAT
[1:49:04] HAPPENS ACROSS THE UNITED
[1:49:06] STATES, THESE SYNTHETIC
[1:49:07] PRODUCTS WILL NOW BE ILLEGAL AS
[1:49:09] THEY SHOULD BE AND NATURAL
[1:49:11] KRATOM LEAF WILL BE PROTECTED
[1:49:14] AND CARVED OUT.
[1:49:15] WE HOPE TO SEE CONTINUED
[1:49:17] REGULATION.
[1:49:18] THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE THE
[1:49:19] WORK IS DONE.
[1:49:20] WE BELIEVE THE NATURAL
[1:49:22] CREATIVITY SHOULD BE REGULATED
[1:49:23] .
[1:49:24] IT SHOULD NOT BE IN THE HANDS
[1:49:25] OF CHILDREN.
[1:49:26] IT SHOULD.
[1:49:26] NOT BE MARKETED IN A WAY
[1:49:28] THAT APPEALS TO CHILDREN.
[1:49:29] IT SHOULD BE TESTED, IT SHOULD
[1:49:31] BE VERIFIED AND IT SHOULDN'T BE
[1:49:33] SYNTHETIC IN NATURE.
[1:49:34] WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD
[1:49:35] BE LABELED APPROPRIATELY.
[1:49:37] ALL DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS SHOULD
[1:49:38] BE LABELED APPROPRIATELY, BUT
[1:49:40] EVERY DIETARY SUPPLEMENT HAS A
[1:49:41] DIFFERENT LEVEL OF RISK.
[1:49:42] THERE'S CERTAIN THINGS THAT YOU
[1:49:44] NEED TO PUT ON A PACKAGE BASED
[1:49:46] ON THE SIDE THE SCIENCE THAT
[1:49:48] EXISTS AND WE'VE PUSHED FOR
[1:49:49] THOSE LABELING STANDARDS
[1:49:51] ACROSS, UM, THE UNITED STATES
[1:49:53] AND YOU WILL FIND UH,
[1:49:55] REGULATIONS THAT INCLUDE THOSE
[1:49:56] LABELING STANDARDS IN IN AS
[1:49:57] MANY AS 22 STATES AND MANY,
[1:49:59] MANY LOCALITIES.
[1:50:02] UM, WE SPOKEN A LITTLE BIT
[1:50:03] ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING AND AT A
[1:50:05] STATE LEVEL AND THIS DISCONNECT
[1:50:07] WE'VE GOT THE FEDS THAT ARE
[1:50:08] MOVING TO SCHEDULE THE
[1:50:09] SYNTHETICS.
[1:50:10] UM, THE GOVERNOR'S ISSUED HER
[1:50:12] EXECUTIVE ORDER.
[1:50:13] WHICH IS.
[1:50:13] TEMPORARY TO DEAL WITH ALL
[1:50:15] KRATOM UH, PRODUCTS.
[1:50:17] THE LEGISLATURE IS CURRENTLY
[1:50:19] CONSIDERING A BILL.
[1:50:20] WHICH WILL COME UP IN
[1:50:21] CONFERENCE.
[1:50:21] COMMITTEE IN THE NEXT HOPEFULLY
[1:50:22] COUPLE OF WEEKS THAT WILL
[1:50:25] DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE
[1:50:26] SYNTHETICS AND THE NATURAL
[1:50:27] KRATOM, UM, AND HOPEFULLY PUT
[1:50:29] FORWARD A REGULATORY STRUCTURE.
[1:50:32] UH, I THINK SIMILAR TO WHAT'S
[1:50:34] BEING DONE UM, UH IN BOSTON BUT
[1:50:37] IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR BOSTON.
[1:50:38] TO SHOW.
[1:50:38] LEADERSHIP WITH THIS BILL THAT
[1:50:41] HAS BEEN PUT FORWARD.
[1:50:43] ALL THAT TO SAY, WE ARE VERY.
[1:50:45] MUCH IN SUPPORT OF THIS
[1:50:46] BILL.
[1:50:47] WE AGREE THAT UM, THE UH A
[1:50:49] DELAYED IMPLEMENTATION DATE TO
[1:50:51] ALLOW THE FAITH TO ACT, TO
[1:50:53] ALLOW THE STATE TO ACT IS THE
[1:50:55] RIGHT THING TO DO.
[1:50:56] AND I AGREE WITH
[1:50:58] COUNCILOR FITZGERALD THAT YOU
[1:50:59] DO NOT WANT TO BE IN A
[1:51:00] SITUATION WHERE YOU HAVE
[1:51:01] NOTHING IF EVERYTHING FALLS
[1:51:03] APART.
[1:51:04] SO I THINK THIS IS A PRUDENT
[1:51:05] APPROACH.
[1:51:06] UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND
[1:51:07] I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY
[1:51:08] QUESTIONS.
[1:51:11] THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[1:51:12] UM I APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S
[1:51:13] TESTIMONY IS VERY THOROUGH.
[1:51:15] UM, I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF MY
[1:51:16] QUESTIONS WERE ASKED, BUT I
[1:51:17] WILL GO TO MY COLLEAGUES, UH,
[1:51:19] BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE
[1:51:20] FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
[1:51:21] I THINK I'LL DO FIVE MINUTES
[1:51:23] FOR QUESTIONING FOR THIS ROUND.
[1:51:25] YEAH.
[1:51:25] OKAY, GREAT.
[1:51:26] UH, COUNCILOR FITZGERALD, YOU
[1:51:27] HAVE THE FLOOR.
[1:51:28] THANK YOU.
[1:51:29] UH, JIM, I JUST WANT TO SAY
[1:51:30] THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING UH,
[1:51:32] FOR PARTICIPATING IN, UH,
[1:51:34] TODAY'S PANEL, UH, AND GIVING
[1:51:36] YOUR SIDE OF THINGS.
[1:51:37] BUT.
[1:51:37] UH.
[1:51:38] FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM,
[1:51:39] UH.
[1:51:40] BOTH THE BOSS PUBLIC HEALTH
[1:51:41] COMMISSION.
[1:51:41] AND THOSE.
[1:51:41] THAT UH OUR, UH FOR THE KRATOM
[1:51:44] LEAF IS THAT I HAVEN'T HEARD
[1:51:46] ANYONE STAND UP OR TESTIFY IN
[1:51:49] SUPPORT OF THE SYNTHETIC OPIOID
[1:51:51] .
[1:51:52] 708 AND I THINK WE'RE ALL IN
[1:51:54] AGREEMENT THAT THAT IS
[1:51:55] SOMETHING UH, THAT IS NOT
[1:51:57] KRATOM IS DANGEROUS, UH, AND
[1:52:00] POSES A HEALTH RISK TO FOLKS IF
[1:52:02] IT IS AVAILABLE OVER THE
[1:52:03] COUNTER, UH, WITH NO AGE
[1:52:05] RESTRICTION.
[1:52:06] AND SO, UM, I JUST WANT TO
[1:52:08] DRIVE THAT POINT HOME BECAUSE I
[1:52:09] THINK THAT IS THE POINT OF THIS
[1:52:11] ORDINANCE TO MAKE SURE UH, THE
[1:52:13] SYNTHETIC UM, PRODUCTS ARE OFF.
[1:52:17] UM, I DID HAVE A QUESTION, BUT
[1:52:19] I THINK YOU ANSWERED IT, SIR.
[1:52:20] UH, MR BRADSHAW, ABOUT THE
[1:52:22] RECOMMENDED TIMELINE FOR
[1:52:23] EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ORDINANCE.
[1:52:24] BUT YOU'RE SAYING WHENEVER THE
[1:52:26] BAN IS WITHDRAWN SO YOU'RE
[1:52:27] SAYING MAYBE ADD SOME LANGUAGE
[1:52:29] IN THAT SAYS IF THE BAN
[1:52:30] WHEREVER TO BE RESCINDED FROM
[1:52:32] THE STATE THAT THIS ORDINANCE
[1:52:34] COULD GO INTO EFFECT?
[1:52:35] YEAH.
[1:52:36] I'D EVEN GO FURTHER THAN
[1:52:37] RESCINDED BY THE STATE BECAUSE
[1:52:39] IT COULD UH AGAIN GO AWAY DUE
[1:52:42] TO A COURT DECISION IN
[1:52:43] LITIGATION.
[1:52:44] IT COULD BE OVERCOME BY UH
[1:52:47] LEGISLATION BY THE
[1:52:50] MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE.
[1:52:51] SO I WOULD SAY WHENEVER THE THE
[1:52:55] UH GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY ORDER
[1:52:57] UH UH IS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE
[1:52:59] FOR ANY OF THOSE REASONS NOT
[1:53:00] JUST BECAUSE IT SUNSETS OR IS
[1:53:03] WITHDRAWN.
[1:53:04] GOT YOU KNOW THAT'S HELPFUL SO
[1:53:05] I CAN WORK WITH LEGAL TEAMS TO
[1:53:07] TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THE
[1:53:08] RIGHT WORDING IS TO MAKE SURE
[1:53:09] THAT WE COVER ALL OF THE
[1:53:11] POTENTIAL WAYS THAT IT IS NO
[1:53:12] LONGER EFFECTIVE.
[1:53:13] UM, AND ADD THAT IN UM.
[1:53:16] SO WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE
[1:53:18] LINE HERE.
[1:53:18] TO NOT BE SUED?
[1:53:20] RIGHT.
[1:53:21] I UNDERSTAND SOMETHING LIKE
[1:53:22] WHEN UH, THERE'S LEGAL ISSUES
[1:53:24] THAT GO THROUGH HERE AND I'M
[1:53:26] SAYING WELL THIS ISN'T THE
[1:53:27] WHOLE LEAF.
[1:53:28] THIS IS JUST THE SYNTHETIC.
[1:53:30] UH, ARE YOU GUYS.
[1:53:31] FAMILIAR WITH ANY OTHER LEGAL.
[1:53:33] ACTION AROUND THE COUNTRY WHERE
[1:53:35] IF WE LOOK TO BAN 70H UH,
[1:53:38] PRODUCTS THAT, UH THERE IS
[1:53:41] PUSHBACK.
[1:53:42] UH, FROM ANY IN A LEGAL
[1:53:44] PERSPECTIVE ON THAT?
[1:53:45] NO, I THINK HONESTLY THE SEVEN
[1:53:47] INDUSTRY KNOWS THAT THEY'RE
[1:53:49] OPERATING, UH, IN VIOLATION
[1:53:51] OF THE LAW.
[1:53:52] I MEAN, HONESTLY, OVER A YEAR
[1:53:55] AGO THE FOOD AND DRUG
[1:53:57] ADMINISTRATION, UH, SENT
[1:53:58] WARNING LETTERS TO THE SEVEN
[1:53:59] LARGEST MANUFACTURERS OF THESE
[1:54:02] SEVEN UH, UM HYDROXY PRODUCTS
[1:54:04] AND TOLD THEM THAT UNDER THE
[1:54:05] FOOD DRUG COSMETIC ACT THAT
[1:54:08] THEY'RE THEY'RE ILLEGAL THEY'RE
[1:54:09] ILLEGAL DRUGS.
[1:54:10] SO THE PROBLEM THE FDA HAS IS
[1:54:13] IT'S SO MUCH.
[1:54:15] EASIER TO ENFORCE IF THE DEA IS
[1:54:17] SCHEDULED THEM.
[1:54:18] AND THAT'S WHY THE FDA ASKED
[1:54:20] THE DEA TO PLACE THESE
[1:54:22] SYNTHETIC COMPOUNDS ON, UH,
[1:54:25] SCHEDULE ONE OF THE CONTROLLED
[1:54:26] SUBSTANCES ACT BECAUSE IT JUST
[1:54:28] FOR ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES IT
[1:54:30] MAKES IT EASIER FOR THE FDA.
[1:54:32] BUT THESE THESE COMPANIES
[1:54:33] ALREADY KNOW THE FDA HAS
[1:54:34] ALREADY TOLD THEM THAT THEY'RE
[1:54:35] MARKETING THESE PRODUCTS IN
[1:54:37] VIOLATION OF THE LAW.
[1:54:39] AND AS A RESULT I MEAN, THAT'S
[1:54:41] ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THEY'RE
[1:54:42] REALLY DIFFICULT EVEN TO TRACK
[1:54:44] THESE COMPANIES DOWN.
[1:54:45] THEY HIDE WHERE THEY'RE
[1:54:46] MANUFACTURED.
[1:54:46] I WAS GOING TO MY NEXT QUESTION
[1:54:48] IS WHERE ARE THESE SYNTHETIC
[1:54:49] PRODUCTS PRODUCED?
[1:54:50] UH IS IT IS IT.
[1:54:51] SO THERE'S.
[1:54:52] ONE COMPANY.
[1:54:52] IN THE COUNTRY IS IT IN HERE AS
[1:54:54] WELL?
[1:54:55] YEAH.
[1:54:56] NO.
[1:54:56] UH, COMPANIES IN THE U.S. ARE
[1:54:59] MANUFACTURING.
[1:54:59] THESE PRODUCTS.
[1:55:00] UH, ONE OF THE LARGEST UM,
[1:55:03] MANUFACTURERS IS AN ENTITY
[1:55:04] CALLED AMERICAN CHARM AND THEIR
[1:55:06] CEO VINCE SANDERS WHO'S LIKE
[1:55:10] OTHERS IN THIS SHADY BUSINESS
[1:55:12] IS A CONVICTED FELON.
[1:55:13] HE'S, UH, TWICE BEEN CONVICTED
[1:55:15] UNDER FEDERAL LAWS
[1:55:17] OF TRAFFICKING IN CONTROLLED
[1:55:18] SUBSTANCES.
[1:55:18] THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO, UH, YOU
[1:55:22] KNOW, AREN'T, YOU KNOW,
[1:55:24] MAINSTREAM LEGITIMATE, UH,
[1:55:27] ACTORS.
[1:55:28] AND IN AN INTERVIEW HE RECENTLY
[1:55:30] TOLD SOMEONE THAT OF THE SEVEN
[1:55:32] COMPANIES THAT RECEIVED WARNING
[1:55:34] LETTERS THAT HE WAS ACTUALLY
[1:55:35] MAKING THE PRODUCT FOR SIX
[1:55:37] OF THEM SO HE WAS PUTTING THEIR
[1:55:39] LABELS ON THE PRODUCTS.
[1:55:40] BUT HE WAS THE THE THE MAIN
[1:55:42] PURVEYOR OF THIS I WILL SAY
[1:55:44] THAT UM, A NUMBER OF HIS
[1:55:46] MANUFACTURING FACILITIES HAVE
[1:55:47] BEEN RAIDED BY THE FEDERAL
[1:55:49] GOVERNMENT NOW UM, AND UH,
[1:55:52] FORCED RECALLS AND INITIALLY
[1:55:55] YOU KNOW, I THINK ONE OF THE
[1:55:57] REASONS WHY WE'VE MOVED TO AT
[1:55:59] THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO A BAN
[1:56:01] BEYOND 7 OR 8 IS AGAIN THIS
[1:56:03] VINCE SAUNDERS PUBLICLY STATED
[1:56:05] THAT WELL, WHEN SOMEONE IS GONE
[1:56:07] WE'LL JUST INTRODUCE A NEW
[1:56:08] COMPOUND AND NOW THE DEA HAS
[1:56:10] GOTTEN AHEAD OF THAT BY ALSO
[1:56:11] NOW SCHEDULING PSEUDO AND
[1:56:13] DOXING ALL UH PSEUDO AND DOXIL
[1:56:17] UH MGM 15 THE MGM 16 SO THEY'RE
[1:56:19] TRYING.
[1:56:19] TO.
[1:56:20] YOU KNOW, UM STAY ONE STEP
[1:56:22] AHEAD OF THESE THESE BAD UH,
[1:56:25] ACTORS BUT I WILL TELL YOU THE
[1:56:26] ONE SEVEN WHICH IS SCHEDULED I
[1:56:28] ANTICIPATE THAT THERE'S GOING
[1:56:29] TO BE SIGNIFICANT ACTIONS
[1:56:31] BROUGHT BY THE FEDERAL
[1:56:33] GOVERNMENT AGAINST A NUMBER
[1:56:34] OF THESE, UH, PLAYERS FOR THEIR
[1:56:36] BLATANT VIOLATION OF FEDERAL
[1:56:38] LAW.
[1:56:38] AND I'LL JUST ADD IT.
[1:56:39] I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR IN THE
[1:56:41] TWO WEEKS TWO WEEKS FROM NOW IT
[1:56:43] COULD BE THIS COULD BE SEVEN
[1:56:44] COULD BE ILLEGAL NATIONWIDE IS
[1:56:46] THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE I
[1:56:48] UNDERSTOOD THAT CORRECTLY AND
[1:56:49] THAT'S COMING FROM.
[1:56:51] DE DE DE.
[1:56:52] DE DE.
[1:56:53] DE YEAH THE DEA PUT OUT A
[1:56:55] NOTICE OF INTENT TO SCHEDULE
[1:56:56] BACK ON JULY 1ST.
[1:56:57] OKAY.
[1:56:58] UM SO THAT ANNOUNCED TO THE
[1:57:00] WORLD AND THEY SAID IT COULD BE
[1:57:01] DONE AS EARLY AS AUGUST 5TH.
[1:57:03] UH, BUT THEN ON AUGUST 25TH THE
[1:57:06] DEA SCHEDULED THREE COMPOUNDS.
[1:57:08] THEY PLACED THEM ON SCHEDULE
[1:57:09] ONE AND THEN WITH RESPECT TO
[1:57:11] SEVEN AND EIGHT, THEY THEY
[1:57:13] EXTENDED THE COMMENT PERIOD.
[1:57:15] YEAH FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS UH
[1:57:16] TO GET ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
[1:57:18] BUT THAT COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW
[1:57:20] UM UH EXPIRED WHEN I SAY TWO
[1:57:22] WEEKS THAT'S JUST BASED ON MY
[1:57:23] OWN EXPERIENCE UH, WORKING WITH
[1:57:25] THE FDA, THE VA ON SCHEDULING
[1:57:27] DRUGS UM, THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO
[1:57:30] THROUGH THE SAME KIND
[1:57:32] OF PROCESS YOU WOULD UNDER THE
[1:57:34] ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT
[1:57:35] FOR PURPOSES OF RESPONDING TO
[1:57:38] ALL THOSE COMMENTS SO THEY CAN
[1:57:39] ACT A LOT FASTER AND I THINK
[1:57:41] COULD COULD SCHEDULE IT BY
[1:57:44] OCTOBER 1ST.
[1:57:44] THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S
[1:57:46] ABSOLUTELY GOING TO HAPPEN.
[1:57:48] BUT IF I HAD CONTACT.
[1:57:49] I WOULD SAY UH BY BY AROUND
[1:57:51] THAT TIME.
[1:57:52] IT'S ENCOURAGING TO HEAR THAT
[1:57:53] THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AT
[1:57:55] LEAST ON THIS MOVING IN THE
[1:57:56] RIGHT DIRECTION OF TRYING TO
[1:57:57] TAKE THE PROPER STEPS.
[1:57:59] SO I DO APPRECIATE THAT'S MY
[1:58:00] TIME CHAIR.
[1:58:00] THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[1:58:02] THANK YOU, COUNCILOR FLYNN.
[1:58:05] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR AND
[1:58:07] THANK YOU TO THE PANEL THAT
[1:58:09] OFFERED TESTIMONY.
[1:58:10] WAS VERY HELPFUL.
[1:58:11] LEARNED A LOT.
[1:58:14] ESPECIALLY THE DIFFERENCE
[1:58:15] OF KRATOM IN SYNTHETIC KRATOM.
[1:58:18] AS WELL.
[1:58:19] UM.
[1:58:22] SO YOU YOU AGREE THAT THE
[1:58:25] SYNTHETIC.
[1:58:26] SHOULD BE.
[1:58:28] ILLEGAL BUT YOU'RE.
[1:58:30] ADVOCATING FOR OBVIOUSLY THE.
[1:58:34] KRATOM TO BE LEGAL.
[1:58:35] IS THAT IS THAT FAIR TO SAY
[1:58:36] YES.
[1:58:37] YEAH.
[1:58:38] UH, ALTHOUGH OUR
[1:58:39] ORGANIZATION ABSOLUTELY
[1:58:40] SUPPORTS COMMONSENSE
[1:58:42] REGULATIONS AROUND THE
[1:58:43] MARKETING OF KRATOM, THE
[1:58:44] SYNTHETICS ABSOLUTELY BAN
[1:58:45] THEY'RE EVIL.
[1:58:47] THEY HAVE NO PLACE BEING, UH,
[1:58:49] AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL
[1:58:49] PUBLIC.
[1:58:50] NATURAL KRATOM SHOULD BE
[1:58:52] AVAILABLE BUT WE DO SUPPORT UH
[1:58:54] REGULATIONS AROUND IT,
[1:58:55] INCLUDING THE AGE GATING THAT
[1:58:57] YOU PROPOSED.
[1:58:58] OKAY.
[1:58:59] DOES FREEDOM ACT AS A, UM,
[1:59:02] SIMILAR TO SUBOXONE?
[1:59:04] DOES IT HELP PEOPLE GET OFF
[1:59:06] OF UH WHAT THAT THAT ARE GOING
[1:59:08] THROUGH WITHDRAWALS OF DRUGS?
[1:59:09] DOES IT HELP IN THAT REGARD?
[1:59:11] UH I THINK THAT'S THE QUESTION
[1:59:12] THAT THE IN A YOU KNOW EACH
[1:59:13] WANTS TO KNOW AND THAT'S
[1:59:14] EXACTLY WHY THEY FUNDED THIS
[1:59:15] STUDY THAT UH MR.
[1:59:17] HAD OUT UH REFERENCED DURING
[1:59:18] HIS TESTIMONY IS THERE'S A LOT
[1:59:20] OF EVIDENCE THAT IT DOES AND SO
[1:59:23] THE NIH WANTS TO STUDY WHETHER
[1:59:25] IN FACT.
[1:59:26] THAT'S THAT'S CORRECT.
[1:59:29] THE AGAIN, WHEN I WAS WHEN I
[1:59:31] WAS A PROBATION OFFICER, A LOT
[1:59:33] OF PEOPLE THAT WERE ON DRUGS OR
[1:59:35] COMING OFF OF UM DRUGS WERE
[1:59:37] USING SUBOXONE.
[1:59:40] UM.
[1:59:41] BUT IS.
[1:59:42] THAT THE CASE THAT.
[1:59:43] PEOPLE COULD USE KRATOM TOOK
[1:59:45] THEM OFF TO COME OFF OTHER
[1:59:47] ILLEGAL DRUGS?
[1:59:48] THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
[1:59:49] THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DRUG
[1:59:51] ABUSE HAS FUNDED OVER $100
[1:59:53] MILLION IN STUDIES ON KRATOM
[1:59:55] AND PART OF THAT RESEARCH HAS
[1:59:58] PROVEN THAT, WHICH IS WHY NIH
[2:00:00] HAS NOW EMBARKED ON THIS
[2:00:02] INVESTIGATIONAL NEW DRUG
[2:00:03] APPLICATION FOR METROLOGY TO
[2:00:06] SEE IF IT HELPS PEOPLE GET OFF
[2:00:08] OF OPIOID USE.
[2:00:09] BUT THE THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR
[2:00:11] THAT PEOPLE ARE FINDING IT TO
[2:00:13] BE AN EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE UH
[2:00:16] METROLOGY NEED OR KRATOM
[2:00:18] DOESN'T REDUCE PAIN LIKE AN
[2:00:20] OPIOID.
[2:00:20] AN OPIOID WILL TAKE YOU FROM A
[2:00:22] TEN TO A ZERO.
[2:00:24] UH METROLOGY WILL GET YOU TO
[2:00:25] MAYBE A 4 OR 3 BUT YOU CAN
[2:00:28] MANAGE THAT PAIN AND YOU DO NOT
[2:00:30] HAVE THE RISKS THAT ARE
[2:00:31] ASSOCIATED WITH SIGNATURE
[2:00:32] OPIOIDS OF OVERDOSE AND AND
[2:00:35] OBVIOUSLY A DEATH AND I THINK
[2:00:37] THAT YOUR YOUR COMPARISON IS
[2:00:39] ACCURATE.
[2:00:39] PEOPLE WERE USING SUBOXONE WITH
[2:00:41] THOSE OTHER DRUGS NOW KRATOM
[2:00:43] WHICH DOESN'T HAVE EVEN THE THE
[2:00:45] UH ADVERSE EVENTS ASSOCIATED
[2:00:47] WITH SUBOXONE USE UH IS A MUCH
[2:00:49] BETTER ALTERNATIVE AND THAT'S
[2:00:51] WHY UH WE'RE SEEING NIH TAKE A
[2:00:54] BIG INTEREST IN THIS.
[2:00:55] THANK YOU.
[2:00:56] I'D LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION TO
[2:00:57] THE GENTLEMAN.
[2:00:58] UM, ON ZOOM I KNOW YOU SAID, UM
[2:01:02] THANK YOU.
[2:01:02] THANK YOU SIR, I KNOW YOU
[2:01:03] MENTIONED SOME STUDIES THAT YOU
[2:01:07] HAVE SEEN OF OF VETERANS THAT
[2:01:10] MAY HAVE BEEN USED IN KRATOM.
[2:01:12] IS THAT.
[2:01:13] IS THAT ACCURATE?
[2:01:15] I THINK MR.
[2:01:16] HEAD OUT HEAD OUT TALKED ABOUT
[2:01:18] .
[2:01:18] THE THE VETERANS.
[2:01:20] UH ONE.
[2:01:21] THING I WILL SAY IS THAT IS
[2:01:22] A VERY ACTIVE COMMUNITY
[2:01:24] OF VETERANS THAT HAVE FOUND
[2:01:25] BENEFIT FROM NATURAL CRATER
[2:01:27] LEAF.
[2:01:27] UM BUT I THINK THIS THAT OURS
[2:01:29] IS BEST POSITION TO DISCUSS
[2:01:31] THAT AS HE MENTIONED IT IN HIS
[2:01:32] TESTIMONY.
[2:01:33] AND WE WE'VE ACTUALLY MET WITH
[2:01:36] THE DIRECTOR OF THE HEALTH.
[2:01:37] UH.
[2:01:39] DEPARTMENT IN THE OFFICE
[2:01:40] OF VETERANS AFFAIRS LAST WEEK
[2:01:41] WITH A GROUP OF VETERANS AND
[2:01:44] THE VA IS VERY INTERESTED IN
[2:01:47] NOW EXPLORING AND OPENING UP A
[2:01:49] PILOT STUDY WITHIN THEIR SYSTEM
[2:01:51] .
[2:01:51] THEY'VE ALREADY DONE SO BY THE
[2:01:52] WAY, WITH THE WITH UH,
[2:01:54] PSILOCYBIN WHICH IS A VERY
[2:01:56] POWERFUL DRUG.
[2:01:57] BUT PEOPLE IN THE VETERANS
[2:01:59] ADMINISTRATION ARE FINDING IT
[2:02:00] TO BE USEFUL AND THEY'RE BIG
[2:02:02] CHAMPION OF THAT AND NOW
[2:02:03] THEY'RE EXPANDING IT TO KRATOM.
[2:02:06] SO THERE IS THERE IS A PILOT
[2:02:07] PROGRAM WITH UM FOR VETERANS
[2:02:10] WITH KRATOM IS THAT IS THAT.
[2:02:12] THEY WERE WILLING TO START THE
[2:02:14] PROCESS OF A PILOT PROGRAM IN
[2:02:15] THE VA HEALTH SYSTEM.
[2:02:16] AND WHAT WOULD THOSE AND I AND
[2:02:19] I WORK ON A LOT OF VETERANS
[2:02:20] ISSUES OUTSIDE OF THIS JOB.
[2:02:22] UM I WORK WITH THE DISABLED
[2:02:23] VETERANS ADMINISTRATION,
[2:02:25] DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
[2:02:26] RATHER.
[2:02:27] BUT WHY WOULD A VETERAN NEED TO
[2:02:31] USE KRATOM?
[2:02:32] IS IT IS IT FOR MENTAL HEALTH
[2:02:33] AND PTSD RELATED ISSUES?
[2:02:36] IT IS AND ALSO PAIN ISSUES
[2:02:38] ASSOCIATED WITH SERVICE RELATED
[2:02:39] INJURIES.
[2:02:40] UH WE HAVE A A GROUP WITHIN THE
[2:02:43] AMERICAN KRATOM ASSOCIATION
[2:02:46] OF VETERANS AND WE RUN THIS
[2:02:48] PROGRAM UH AND I HEAR FROM THEM
[2:02:50] EVERY DAY.
[2:02:50] I WOULD LOVE TO CONNECT YOU
[2:02:52] WITH SOME OF THESE VETERANS WHO
[2:02:53] CAN TELL YOU ABOUT THEIR
[2:02:55] EXPERIENCE BECAUSE IT IS PTSD.
[2:02:58] IT IS SOME OF THE UH THE YOU
[2:03:00] KNOW, THE IMPAIRMENTS THAT
[2:03:01] THESE SERVICE MEMBERS COME BACK
[2:03:03] FROM THEIR SERVICE AND THEY'VE
[2:03:04] GOT TO DEAL WITH ASSOCIATED
[2:03:05] OF COURSE WITH THEIR UH, PAIN
[2:03:07] ISSUES RELATED TO THEIR
[2:03:08] INJURIES.
[2:03:09] SO THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PART
[2:03:10] OF OUR RESEARCH AND I WOULD BE
[2:03:12] GLAD TO CONNECT YOU WITH SOME
[2:03:13] OF THOSE VETERANS.
[2:03:14] I, UH THANK YOU.
[2:03:15] I WOULD WELCOME THAT
[2:03:16] OPPORTUNITY.
[2:03:16] I DON'T HAVE TO UM, UH, LISTEN
[2:03:19] TO THEM AND AND UNDERSTAND FROM
[2:03:21] THEM DIRECTLY ON THE BENEFITS
[2:03:24] OF THIS BUT, UH, MAYBE YOU
[2:03:26] COULD FOLLOW UP WITH ME IF
[2:03:27] THAT'S OKAY.
[2:03:27] I'LL DO THAT.
[2:03:28] AND IF I COULD JUST REFER YOU
[2:03:29] AS A QUICK BEFORE I GET ALL THE
[2:03:31] VETERANS TO YOU.
[2:03:32] UH, ON THE AMERICAN KRATOM.ORG
[2:03:34] WEBSITE WE HAVE AN ADVOCACY
[2:03:37] VIDEO OF A SEAL TEAM SIX MEMBER
[2:03:41] WHO LOST HIS FAMILY, HIS HOUSE
[2:03:43] HIS HIS ENTIRE LIFE WHILE HE
[2:03:45] WAS IN THE VA SYSTEM AND HE
[2:03:47] FOUND KRATOM AND THAT VIDEO
[2:03:49] WILL SHOW YOU IT SAVED HIM AND
[2:03:50] HIS NEW WIFE, UH, CALLED ME ONE
[2:03:52] DAY AND TOLD ME HIS STORY AND
[2:03:54] SAID YOU'VE GOT TO INTERVIEW
[2:03:55] HIM AND WE DID AND IT'S UP ON
[2:03:57] OUR WEBSITE BUT I'LL GET YOU
[2:03:58] ALSO OTHER VETERANS WHO CAN
[2:03:59] SPEAK.
[2:03:59] OKAY.
[2:04:00] AND MADAM CHAIR, MAY I ASK ONE
[2:04:02] FINAL QUESTION?
[2:04:02] YEP.
[2:04:03] BUT IS THE FINAL IS THE MAIN
[2:04:06] POINT?
[2:04:08] IS THE MAIN POINT OR THE
[2:04:11] ULTIMATE GOAL IS.
[2:04:13] IS IT TO GET OFF KRATOM SO YOU
[2:04:15] YOU'RE BASICALLY LIVING WITHOUT
[2:04:18] ANY SUBSTANCES IN YOUR BODY OR
[2:04:22] ARE YOU SAYING THAT KRATOM IS
[2:04:24] NECESSARY FOR YOU TO LIVE A
[2:04:26] HEALTHY LIFE?
[2:04:28] SO I THINK BOTH UH YOU CAN USE
[2:04:30] KRATOM TO GET OFF OF A AN
[2:04:32] ADDICTION TO A.
[2:04:34] SUBSTANCE AND THEN YOU'RE GONE
[2:04:35] FROM THAT.
[2:04:36] UH, MOST PEOPLE ARE USING IT TO
[2:04:39] MANAGE ACUTE AND CHRONIC PAIN.
[2:04:40] I'VE BEEN A KRATOM CONSUMER FOR
[2:04:42] TEN YEARS BECAUSE WHEN I WAS
[2:04:44] YOUNG AND VERY STUPID I RACED
[2:04:45] MOTORCYCLES IN THE DESERT AND
[2:04:47] BANGED MYSELF UP PRETTY GOOD
[2:04:48] AND I'M PAYING FOR IT NOW I'M
[2:04:50] 76 YEARS OLD.
[2:04:51] I HAVE, YOU KNOW, ARTHRITIS
[2:04:52] PAIN.
[2:04:53] I CAME HERE TODAY AND I KNOW
[2:04:55] THE QUESTION WAS ASKED ABOUT
[2:04:56] IMPAIRMENT.
[2:04:57] UH I DON'T HAVE IMPAIRMENT.
[2:04:58] WELL YOU COULD YOU MAY THINK I
[2:04:59] DO.
[2:05:00] I DON'T THINK I HAVE
[2:05:01] IMPAIRMENT.
[2:05:02] UH, I'VE HAD TO GO OFF
[2:05:04] OF KRATOM FOR SOME EXTENDED
[2:05:06] TRIPS OVERSEAS.
[2:05:06] I DON'T HAVE ANY OF THE YOU
[2:05:07] KNOW, THE CRAVINGS FOR IT.
[2:05:09] IT'S IT'S A DIFFERENT.
[2:05:11] KIND OF SUBSTANCE WHICH.
[2:05:12] IS WHY NAIDA IS SO
[2:05:14] INTERESTED IN IT AND WHY THEY
[2:05:15] PUBLISHED SO MANY STUDIES ON
[2:05:16] IT.
[2:05:17] THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY.
[2:05:18] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
[2:05:19] THANK YOU, COUNCILOR FLYNN.
[2:05:21] COUNCILOR CULPEPER YOU HAVE
[2:05:22] FIVE MINUTES.
[2:05:23] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
[2:05:24] UH, MR LOWE, DID YOU HAVE ANY
[2:05:26] WRITTEN TESTIMONY THAT YOU
[2:05:28] SUBMITTED?
[2:05:29] UH, I DID.
[2:05:30] NOT GET A CHANCE TO SUBMIT.
[2:05:32] MINE, BUT I WOULD BE HAPPY TO
[2:05:33] DO SO.
[2:05:35] PLEASE.
[2:05:36] UH.
[2:05:37] YES, SIR.
[2:05:38] AND.
[2:05:40] AND MR HAD A AND THAT NIGHT
[2:05:44] A INFORMATION THAT IS SUBMITTED
[2:05:47] REGARDING THE RESEARCH THAT
[2:05:50] THAT WAS JUST IN ANIMALS IS
[2:05:52] THAT CORRECT?
[2:05:54] IT HADN'T GOTTEN TO THE POINT
[2:05:56] WHERE THEY DID ANY OF THAT
[2:05:57] TESTING ON HUMANS.
[2:05:59] IT WAS JUST IN ANIMALS.
[2:06:01] IS THAT CORRECT?
[2:06:02] SO THE FUNDING FROM NAIDA UH
[2:06:05] HAS LARGELY BEEN IN BOTH
[2:06:08] SURVEYS OF CONSUMERS AND
[2:06:10] ANIMALS.
[2:06:10] THERE HAVE BEEN SEPARATELY UH
[2:06:13] HUMAN TRIALS.
[2:06:14] ON KRATOM TYPICALLY FOR A NEW
[2:06:17] DRUG APPLICATION THE UH THE
[2:06:19] COMPANY CONDUCTS A HUMAN TRIAL
[2:06:21] UNDER THE STANDARDS PROVIDED BY
[2:06:22] THE FOOD AND DRUG
[2:06:23] ADMINISTRATION FOR THOSE KINDS
[2:06:25] OF STUDIES.
[2:06:26] NOW KRATOM HAS NOT BEEN
[2:06:27] SUBMITTED AS A NEW DRUG
[2:06:29] APPLICATION BUT THERE HAVE BEEN
[2:06:30] HUMAN CLINICAL TRIALS ON IT.
[2:06:31] BUT IN THE INFORMATION YOU
[2:06:33] SUBMITTED IT HADN'T BEEN TESTED
[2:06:36] ON ANY HUMANS.
[2:06:37] YES ON ANIMALS.
[2:06:39] YEAH.
[2:06:40] AND I'M GLAD TO SUBMIT TO
[2:06:41] YOU SOME HUMAN CLINICAL TRIAL
[2:06:43] DATA THE PAPER I GUESS WHAT I
[2:06:45] MEAN AND.
[2:06:45] WHAT YOU AND WHAT YOU GAVE
[2:06:47] US IT WAS JUST IN HUMANS AND
[2:06:49] ANIMALS THAT HADN'T BEEN TESTED
[2:06:51] ON HUMANS YET.
[2:06:53] WELL THE.
[2:06:53] ACTUAL THE THE FDA THOSE
[2:06:55] FINDINGS.
[2:06:55] AND WHAT YOU SUBMITTED HERE.
[2:06:57] YES.
[2:06:58] YES, SIR.
[2:06:59] UH.
[2:07:00] VINCENT ON ANIMALS NO.
[2:07:02] IF I IF I COULD POINT YOU TO
[2:07:04] THE THE STUDY THAT WAS DONE BY
[2:07:05] THE FDA THAT THOSE FINDINGS.
[2:07:07] OKAY, LET ME JUST READ THIS TO
[2:07:09] YOU AND I SCIENTISTS ARE
[2:07:10] PLANNING TO CONDUCT THE FIRST
[2:07:12] RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE BLIND,
[2:07:15] PLACEBO CONTROLLED STUDY TO
[2:07:16] ASSESS THE SAFETY AND
[2:07:18] TOLERABILITY OF THE MIGHTY
[2:07:20] GRIND NINE FORMATION IN HUMANS.
[2:07:23] THE COMPOUND IN ISOLATION IS
[2:07:25] YET TO BE STUDIED IN HUMANS
[2:07:27] WITH THE INDIAN EFFECT.
[2:07:29] INVESTIGATORS CAN NOW BEGIN
[2:07:30] THAT WORK AND SO IT'S SAYING
[2:07:33] THAT IT'S ONLY BEEN TESTED IN
[2:07:36] THE INFORMATION YOU SUBMIT.
[2:07:38] IT SAYS IN ANIMAL MODELS
[2:07:41] NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AND THE
[2:07:43] INFORMATION YOU SAY SUBMITTED
[2:07:46] BEFORE US ON HUMANS.
[2:07:49] SO UH, COUNCILMAN CULPEPPER,
[2:07:53] THE DISTINCTION IS THAT IT'S
[2:07:54] THE FIRST FUNDED STUDY BY NIGHT
[2:07:57] OF FULL ON HUMANS.
[2:07:59] NO THAT UNDERSTAND THAT BUT NOT
[2:08:00] IN HERE BECAUSE IT'S SAYING
[2:08:02] THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN STUDIED IN
[2:08:05] HUMANS.
[2:08:06] SO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON
[2:08:08] DRUG ABUSE LIKELY IS NOT AWARE
[2:08:10] OF THE HUMAN CLINICAL TRIALS
[2:08:11] THAT HAVE BEEN DONE BECAUSE
[2:08:12] THEY ARE BEING DONE IN PURSUIT
[2:08:15] OF THE FDA'S REQUIREMENT UNDER
[2:08:17] THE DIETARY SUPPLEMENT HEALTH
[2:08:18] AND EDUCATION ACT FOR A NEW
[2:08:21] DRUG I'M SORRY, NEW DIETARY
[2:08:22] INGREDIENT NOTIFICATION.
[2:08:24] SO IT'S SAFETY DATA THAT WOULD
[2:08:26] NOT BE ACCESSED OR
[2:08:28] TRADITIONALLY BE BE DONE BY
[2:08:31] NIGHT.
[2:08:31] I AND.
[2:08:33] WHAT I'M SAYING THOUGH IS WHAT
[2:08:35] YOU GAVE US HAS NOT BEEN USED
[2:08:40] IN ANY WAY ON HUMANS UP TO THIS
[2:08:43] POINT.
[2:08:43] I'M JUST LOOKING AT WHAT YOU.
[2:08:44] GATHER AND.
[2:08:45] NOW SUPPLEMENT.
[2:08:46] YEAH I.
[2:08:47] THINK.
[2:08:47] I'D HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT
[2:08:48] LANGUAGE BECAUSE THERE CLEARLY
[2:08:49] HAVE BEEN STUDIES IN HUMANS.
[2:08:50] THAT I'M SORRY I KNOW THE
[2:08:52] ANSWER TO THAT.
[2:08:53] BUT COUNCILMAN CULPEPPER.
[2:08:55] THROUGH THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE
[2:08:57] ON DRUG ABUSE, THAT'S ALL THE
[2:08:59] STUDIES THAT THEY WERE DOING.
[2:09:00] THERE PROBABLY WERE OTHER
[2:09:02] ADDITIONAL ONES THAT WE DON'T
[2:09:04] HAVE BEFORE US TODAY AND I
[2:09:07] WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEE THOSE IF
[2:09:08] YOU COULD GET THEM SO YOU CAN
[2:09:10] SUPPLEMENT THIS.
[2:09:11] I'LL DO THAT BUT I'M JUST
[2:09:12] LOOKING AT WHAT HE SUBMITTED TO
[2:09:13] DO I THINK I THINK WHAT I DO
[2:09:14] HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU
[2:09:15] OKAY.
[2:09:16] I THINK MR LOWE.
[2:09:17] ACTUALLY HAS THE ANSWER TO YOUR
[2:09:18] QUESTION.
[2:09:18] HE WAS.
[2:09:19] UH YEAH.
[2:09:20] I WAS GOING TO SAY MATTHEW,
[2:09:21] PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ANSWER.
[2:09:22] THANK YOU.
[2:09:23] GOT THEM.
[2:09:24] AND SO.
[2:09:24] THE DISTINCTION IS UM, IN THAT
[2:09:26] UM, UH, A.
[2:09:28] STUDY THEY.
[2:09:29] ARE STUDYING ISOLATED
[2:09:30] MICHIGAN.
[2:09:31] SO WHAT THEY.
[2:09:32] DO IS THEY EXTRACT.
[2:09:33] OUT THE MICHIGAN FROM THE CRATE
[2:09:35] AND.
[2:09:35] LEAF IN ISOLATION SO IT DOESN'T
[2:09:38] HAVE ANY OF THE OTHER ALKALOIDS
[2:09:39] THAT ARE NATURAL CREATIVITY
[2:09:41] WITHIN IT.
[2:09:42] SO IT IS TRUE THAT MICHIGAN.
[2:09:44] IN ITS ISOLATED FORM.
[2:09:45] HAS NOT.
[2:09:46] BEEN STUDIED IN HUMANS.
[2:09:47] BEFORE BUT WHAT HAS BEEN.
[2:09:49] STUDIED IN.
[2:09:50] HUMANS IN 18 DIFFERENT HUMAN.
[2:09:51] CLINICAL TRIALS.
[2:09:53] IS NATURAL CREATIVITY WITH.
[2:09:55] ALL THE 50 DIFFERENT ALKALOIDS.
[2:09:57] THAT EXIST WITHIN THAT LEAF.
[2:09:59] SO IT IS TRUE THAT MICHIGAN.
[2:10:00] EVEN IN ISOLATION WHICH IS
[2:10:02] WHAT THAT.
[2:10:02] DRUG APPROVAL IS FOR HAS.
[2:10:05] NOT BEEN STUDIED IN HUMANS.
[2:10:07] THANK YOU, MR LAW.
[2:10:10] UH, MR.
[2:10:13] OF JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS
[2:10:14] BECAUSE I THINK YOU WERE GOING
[2:10:15] TO SUCH DETAIL.
[2:10:16] JUST WANTED TO ASK YOU A COUPLE
[2:10:19] QUESTIONS AND EIGHT SECONDS UH,
[2:10:24] WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, WHAT
[2:10:26] INFORMATION SHOULD CONSUMERS BE
[2:10:29] REQUIRED TO RECEIVE ABOUT THE
[2:10:30] POTENCY, THE INGREDIENTS, THE
[2:10:33] SERVING SIZES, INTERACTIONS OR
[2:10:37] POTENTIAL DEPENDENCY AND WHAT
[2:10:39] TRIAL RISKS?
[2:10:41] SURE.
[2:10:41] SO CAN I JUST HAVE A COUPLE
[2:10:44] OF MINUTES TO ANSWER THAT SO.
[2:10:46] AS SOON AS QUICKLY AS YOU OKAY.
[2:10:48] SO THE US FOOD AND DRUG
[2:10:49] ADMINISTRATION ACTUALLY
[2:10:50] REGULATES BOTANICALS AS DIETARY
[2:10:52] SUPPLEMENTS.
[2:10:54] THERE IS A UH CONSIDERABLE
[2:10:56] NUMBER OF REGULATIONS AND
[2:10:58] GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS TO INDUSTRY
[2:11:00] ON WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO TO
[2:11:01] COMPLY WITH THE DIETARY
[2:11:02] SUPPLEMENT HEALTH EDUCATION ACT
[2:11:06] OF 1994 THAT REQUIRES A WHOLE
[2:11:08] SLEW OF DIFFERENT THINGS, MUCH
[2:11:10] OF WHICH ENDS UP ON THE
[2:11:11] LABELING.
[2:11:11] THERE HAS TO BE A SUPPLEMENT
[2:11:13] FACTS PANEL.
[2:11:14] THERE HAS TO BE INFORMATION
[2:11:15] ABOUT THE SERVING SIZE, THE
[2:11:17] AMOUNT OF PARTICULAR
[2:11:19] INGREDIENTS.
[2:11:20] SO IF YOU LOOK AT ANY PRODUCT
[2:11:22] MADE BY WHAT I WOULD CALL A
[2:11:24] LEGITIMATE MANUFACTURER
[2:11:26] OF CRANIUM PRODUCTS, IF YOU
[2:11:27] FLIP OVER THAT PRODUCT IT'LL
[2:11:29] HAVE A SUPPLEMENT FACTS PANEL.
[2:11:31] IT WILL TELL YOU HOW MUCH
[2:11:32] MINIATURE GRINDING IS IN THE
[2:11:34] PRODUCT, HOW MANY SERVINGS ARE
[2:11:36] IN THE PACKAGE.
[2:11:36] IT'LL GIVE YOU UH, ALL THE
[2:11:39] NECESSARY WARNINGS INCLUDING UH
[2:11:41] RISK ABOUT DEPENDENCY, UH, AND
[2:11:44] OTHER WARNINGS ASSOCIATED WITH
[2:11:47] THE USE.
[2:11:47] KEEP OUT OF THE HANDS, UH,
[2:11:49] REACH OF CHILDREN.
[2:11:51] UM, UH, SOME, UH, WARNINGS
[2:11:53] ABOUT.
[2:11:54] NOT COMBINING KRATOM WITH OTHER
[2:11:58] COMPOUNDS LIKE PRESCRIPTION
[2:11:59] DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.
[2:12:00] SO SO IF YOU'RE A LEGITIMATE
[2:12:03] CREATIVE MANUFACTURER YOU'RE
[2:12:04] ALSO FOLLOWING PART 111
[2:12:08] OF TITLE 21 OF THE CFR, WHICH
[2:12:10] REQUIRES GOOD MANUFACTURING
[2:12:12] PRACTICES, WHICH REQUIRES A
[2:12:13] NUMBER OF THINGS INCLUDING UH,
[2:12:16] RELEASE TESTING AND THAT
[2:12:18] RELEASE TESTING WOULD HAVE AN
[2:12:20] ASSOCIATED UH CERTIFICATE
[2:12:22] OF ANALYSIS WHICH WOULD COULD
[2:12:24] TELL A CONSUMER THAT UH ABOUT
[2:12:27] UH EVERYTHING IN THIS PRODUCT
[2:12:28] THE AMOUNT OF THE BEGINNING
[2:12:30] WHETHER THERE WAS UH ANY SEVEN
[2:12:32] HYDROXY AT ALL IN THE PRODUCT
[2:12:34] AND IF SO, UH, HOW MUCH TESTING
[2:12:36] FOR HEAVY METALS TESTING FOR UM
[2:12:40] CERTAIN PATHOGENS.
[2:12:42] UH, SO ALL OF THAT TESTING
[2:12:44] WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE.
[2:12:45] LOTS OF COMPANIES NOW PROVIDE
[2:12:47] THOSE CERTIFICATES OF ANALYSIS
[2:12:50] UH, EITHER AT REQUEST OR
[2:12:52] PROACTIVELY THROUGH A QR
[2:12:54] CODE ON A PRODUCT OR BY SOME
[2:12:56] OTHER MEANS.
[2:12:57] SO UH, THERE IS A WAY FOR
[2:12:59] CONSUMERS TO KNOW THAT THE
[2:13:01] PRODUCT THEY'RE TAKING HAS
[2:13:04] COMPLIED WITH THE FDA'S GOOD
[2:13:05] MANUFACTURING PRACTICES.
[2:13:07] IT'S GONE THROUGH UM, UH, THE
[2:13:10] REQUISITE TESTING THAT THE FDA
[2:13:12] REQUIRES AND THAT YOU COULD SEE
[2:13:14] A CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS THAT
[2:13:16] SHOWS THAT THE PRODUCT THAT YOU
[2:13:17] HAVE, UH, CONTAINS ONLY THOSE
[2:13:21] THINGS THAT ARE ALLOWED AND
[2:13:22] DOESN'T CONTAIN ANY OF THE
[2:13:23] THINGS THAT ARE.
[2:13:24] DISCUSSED AND SHOULD THAT BE
[2:13:25] REFLECTED IN THE ORDINANCE IN
[2:13:27] THE UH THOSE ARE THE KIND
[2:13:30] OF THINGS THAT CERTAINLY SHOULD
[2:13:31] BE IN THE ORDINANCE REQUIRING
[2:13:33] THEM TO BE LABELED.
[2:13:34] YEAH.
[2:13:35] IN MY TESTIMONY I NOTED THAT
[2:13:36] WE SUPPORT LIKE THE AGE GATING
[2:13:38] BUT WE ALSO SUPPORT UH,
[2:13:41] CONSUMER PROTECTION ACTS THAT
[2:13:43] HAVE TESTING REQUIREMENTS.
[2:13:44] LABELING REQUIREMENTS AND WE'D
[2:13:46] BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH UH, THE
[2:13:48] THE CITY.
[2:13:50] ON YOU KNOW, INCLUDING SOME
[2:13:52] OF THOSE PROVISIONS IN THE
[2:13:53] ORDINANCE IF YOU FEEL THAT.
[2:13:55] COUNCIL MEMBER.
[2:13:56] NO, I'M GOOD I'M GOOD.
[2:13:58] THAT'S WHAT I WANTED HIM TO TO
[2:13:59] TELL US.
[2:14:00] COULD I JUST ADD THAT WE'RE
[2:14:02] SYMPATHETIC TO WHAT MR MCCANN
[2:14:04] IS FACING IN ENFORCEMENT?
[2:14:05] UH, ONCE THE 700 BAND GETS PUT
[2:14:08] INTO PLACE, THERE'S A CLEAR
[2:14:10] DISTINCTION AND ALL THEY HAVE
[2:14:11] TO DO IS CALL THE DEA.
[2:14:12] BUT FOR THOSE NATURALLY
[2:14:14] CREATING PRODUCTS THAT ARE
[2:14:15] LEFT, THERE HAS TO BE GOOD
[2:14:17] REGULATIONS THAT REQUIRE ALL
[2:14:18] OF WHAT MR BRADSHAW JUST SAID
[2:14:21] ABOVE ALL.
[2:14:21] YES.
[2:14:22] AND YOU CAN VERIFY THAT AND AND
[2:14:24] WE CAN ASSIST WITH THAT IN
[2:14:25] HELPING YOU DO THAT.
[2:14:27] TO MAKE SURE IT'S REFLECTED IN
[2:14:28] THE ORDINANCE.
[2:14:29] WE GET COMPLAINTS FROM
[2:14:30] CONSUMERS ALL THE TIME AND WE
[2:14:32] WE SEND THEM TO THE FDA ABOUT
[2:14:34] BAD PRODUCTS AND WE'RE GLAD TO
[2:14:36] DO IT HERE FOR YOU AS WELL.
[2:14:37] THANK YOU.
[2:14:39] UM I DO JUST WANT TO FLAG IN
[2:14:40] THE UM, PENDING STATE
[2:14:41] LEGISLATION I THINK IT'S H4261
[2:14:43] TYS BILL THERE IS A PROVISION
[2:14:45] FOR LABELING SO IT'S SOMETHING
[2:14:46] THAT WE COULD
[2:14:47] COUNCILOR CULPEPER UM, JUST
[2:14:48] FLAGGING THAT IN THE STATE'S
[2:14:50] BILL THEY HAVE UH SOMETHING
[2:14:51] ABOUT LABELING SO WE CAN USE
[2:14:52] WHATEVER LANGUAGE THEY HAVE
[2:14:54] THERE OR MIRROR IT AND MAKE IT
[2:14:55] WORK FOR THE CITY.
[2:14:58] UM, OKAY.
[2:14:58] I HAVE ONE QUESTION AND THEN WE
[2:15:00] CAN, UH, MAYBE GO TO A SECOND
[2:15:01] ROUND OF FOLKS HAVE, UH, MORE
[2:15:03] QUESTIONS BUT WOULD LIKE TO GET
[2:15:04] TO PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
[2:15:05] UM, YOU HAD TALKED ABOUT UH,
[2:15:08] CCM UM OR MAC WHICH YOU PREFER
[2:15:10] .
[2:15:10] MAC.
[2:15:11] MAC OKAY, MAC, YOU HAD TALKED
[2:15:12] ABOUT UM, THE EFFECTS ON
[2:15:15] RECEPTORS IN THE OPIOID LIKE,
[2:15:16] UM, EFFECTS THAT IT HAS ON
[2:15:18] PEOPLE IN THAT IT'S VERY
[2:15:19] LIMITED.
[2:15:19] IT'S NOT LIKE THE OPIOIDS THAT
[2:15:21] WE KNOW OF, UM, AND CAUSE GREAT
[2:15:24] HARM TO UM TO BROAD SWATHS
[2:15:27] OF PEOPLE.
[2:15:28] MY QUESTION IS AND I KNOW THAT
[2:15:29] YOU'RE NOT A HEALTH EXPERT
[2:15:30] MAYBE YOU ON THIS BUT, UH OR
[2:15:33] YOU CAN REFER ME TO UH, STUDY
[2:15:36] OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT DOES
[2:15:39] THE THE PRODUCTS THAT WE'RE
[2:15:41] TALKING ABOUT HERE ABOUT
[2:15:42] REGULATING AND ALLOWING IN THE
[2:15:43] CITY OF BOSTON SO THE LEAF
[2:15:45] LOOSE LEAF UH, YOU KNOW, ALL
[2:15:46] OF THAT THE NATURAL STUFF DOES
[2:15:48] IT HAVE DIFFERENT EFFECTS ON
[2:15:51] DIFFERENT POPULATIONS?
[2:15:52] SO IS THE SAME DOSAGE RIGHT
[2:15:54] WHERE IT SAY IT'S THE SAME
[2:15:55] DOSAGE?
[2:15:55] DOES IT HAVE A GREATER EFFECT
[2:15:57] ON TEENS UM SENIORS.
[2:16:00] ?
[2:16:01] UH IF YOU CAN SPEAK TO THAT I
[2:16:03] WOULD LOVE TO UNDERSTAND IT OR
[2:16:04] IS IT THE SAME SORT OF EFFECT?
[2:16:06] SO WHEN I WAS LEAVING THE HOUSE
[2:16:07] TO COME HERE MY WIFE GAVE
[2:16:09] ME ADVICE.
[2:16:09] SHE SAID DON'T SAY ANYTHING
[2:16:10] STUPID.
[2:16:11] AND I'VE LOOKED BACK ON THE 49
[2:16:13] YEARS WE'VE BEEN MARRIED AND I
[2:16:14] CAN'T THINK OF A SINGLE
[2:16:15] INSTANCE I SAID OR DID ANYTHING
[2:16:16] STUPID.
[2:16:17] UH, BUT HERE I AM IN WITH A
[2:16:20] QUESTION THAT'S A LITTLE BIT
[2:16:21] LOADED IN THE SENSE THAT
[2:16:22] THERE'S GOOD SCIENCE OUT THERE
[2:16:24] .
[2:16:24] DOCTOR CHRIS MCCURDY AT THE
[2:16:26] UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA HAS
[2:16:27] EXAMINED THIS ISSUE DIRECTLY.
[2:16:28] THE TWO ISSUES YOU RAISE THEIR
[2:16:30] SIGNIFICANT DOES THE UH
[2:16:32] ACTIVITY AT THE MU OPIOID
[2:16:34] RECEPTOR IS IT IS IT DIFFERENT
[2:16:36] THAN 7OH AND IT IS BECAUSE
[2:16:39] METROLOGY NINE IS IN THE FULL
[2:16:41] PLANT MATERIAL WHEN IT GOES TO
[2:16:43] THE MU OPIOID RECEPTORS IT
[2:16:45] ACTUALLY COMPETES YOU HAVE
[2:16:47] METROLOGY FIGHTING 70H WHICH
[2:16:49] WHY IT'S H MODERATED EFFECT 7OH
[2:16:52] PRODUCTS AS MR BRADSHAW
[2:16:53] MENTIONED ARE COMPLETELY
[2:16:55] HITTING THAT MU OPIOID RECEPTOR
[2:16:57] WITHOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT
[2:16:58] ACTIVITY BY MY ARGININE AND IT
[2:17:01] IS A FULL BLOWN OPIOID AND WHEN
[2:17:03] IT HITS THAT RECEPTOR YOU'RE
[2:17:04] GONE BECAUSE IT'S HITTING THE
[2:17:06] THE EUPHORIC HIGH.
[2:17:07] AND THIS IS THE SIGNIFICANT
[2:17:09] THING THAT THE SEVEN
[2:17:10] MANUFACTURERS THE BAD ACTORS
[2:17:12] DID THEY RECOGNIZE THAT USING
[2:17:14] THE NATURAL GUT PROCESS WHEN
[2:17:16] YOU INGEST NATURAL KRATOM AND
[2:17:18] IT DOES PRODUCE A LITTLE BIT
[2:17:19] OF 70H THEY RECOGNIZE THAT'S
[2:17:21] NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT.
[2:17:22] LET'S DO A PILL AND.
[2:17:24] SUBLINGUAL TABLETS.
[2:17:25] SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE DEA.
[2:17:27] SCHEDULING ORDER IT.
[2:17:28] SAYS THAT THAT THE MAJORITY
[2:17:30] OF 7 OR 8 PRODUCTS.
[2:17:31] NOW ARE GOING RIGHT TO.
[2:17:33] CROSSING THE BLOOD BRAIN
[2:17:34] BARRIER.
[2:17:35] THEY HIT YOUR MU UP YOUR
[2:17:36] RECEPTORS IMMEDIATELY NOT THE
[2:17:38] GUT AND YOU ARE NOW ADDICTED
[2:17:40] WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS OR
[2:17:41] WEEKS.
[2:17:42] THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE.
[2:17:43] BETWEEN THE TWO.
[2:17:44] BECAUSE WITH IN.
[2:17:46] THE PROGENY A.
[2:17:46] NATURAL PRODUCT.
[2:17:47] THE PREDOMINANT ALKALOID IS
[2:17:49] METROLOGY.
[2:17:49] NAME WITH THOSE.
[2:17:50] OTHER 50 PLUS ALKALOIDS THAT
[2:17:52] ARE WORKING ON IT WITH 70H FLIP
[2:17:54] THE CONTENT THE.
[2:17:55] MAJORITY IS.
[2:17:56] 70H AND THAT'S IT'S HITTING.
[2:17:58] YOUR LIVER LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN
[2:17:59] AND FIGHTING IT.
[2:18:01] BUT THAT'S WHY THEY GO TO THE.
[2:18:02] SUBLINGUAL TABLETS.
[2:18:03] AND THE CHEWABLE TABLETS TO GET
[2:18:04] BYPASS ALL OF THAT AND GET YOU
[2:18:06] HOOKED QUICKLY.
[2:18:08] IT THANK.
[2:18:08] YOU AND I'LL SEND YOU THE
[2:18:09] STUDY ON THAT.
[2:18:10] YEAH PLEASE DO.
[2:18:11] UM BUT I GUESS I'M NOT I DON'T
[2:18:12] KNOW IF YOU ANSWER MY QUESTION.
[2:18:13] SORRY.
[2:18:14] I MAYBE JUST NOT UNDERSTANDING
[2:18:16] DO YOU IS IT A DIFFERENT
[2:18:18] REGARDLESS IF WE REGULATED OR
[2:18:19] NOT?
[2:18:21] UM IS IT IS THE NATURAL STUFF
[2:18:24] DOES HAVE A DIFFERENT EFFECT ON
[2:18:25] ON DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
[2:18:26] CERTAINLY FOR.
[2:18:27] TEENS YOU DON'T WANT THEM
[2:18:28] HAVING IT BECAUSE YOU'RE A
[2:18:30] DEVELOPING BRAIN.
[2:18:32] UH WE DON'T HAVE SAFETY.
[2:18:33] DATA.
[2:18:34] ON THAT.
[2:18:34] WE DON'T WANT THEM TO.
[2:18:35] HAVE ACCESS TO IT.
[2:18:36] IT IS A DIFFERENT.
[2:18:37] REACTION THAT THEY'RE HAVING.
[2:18:38] HAVING THE GOOD.
[2:18:39] NEWS IS THAT NATURAL TASTES
[2:18:42] TERRIBLE.
[2:18:42] IT IS NOT APPEALING TO
[2:18:43] CHILDREN.
[2:18:44] AND THAT'S WHY THE SEVEN
[2:18:45] PEOPLE.
[2:18:46] HAVE GONE TO ALL THESE
[2:18:47] CRAZY, UH, FORMULATIONS TO MAKE
[2:18:49] THEM ATTRACTIVE IN.
[2:18:49] THEIR PACKAGING AND THEIR
[2:18:51] EFFECTS.
[2:18:52] NATURAL KRATOM DOES NOT APPEAL
[2:18:53] TO CHILDREN BUT IT NEEDS TO BE
[2:18:55] REGULATED WHICH IS.
[2:18:56] THE AGE GATING.
[2:18:56] THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT DEPENDING
[2:19:00] ON SERVING SIZE.
[2:19:01] IF YOU LOOK AT THE STUDIES THAT
[2:19:02] HAVE BEEN DONE THEY'RE FUNDED.
[2:19:04] BY NIDA THE THERE'S A THIRD
[2:19:06] OF KRATOM.
[2:19:06] CONSUMERS THAT.
[2:19:07] USE IT.
[2:19:08] AS A REPLACEMENT FOR A CUP
[2:19:09] OF COFFEE BECAUSE IT GIVES THEM
[2:19:10] AN.
[2:19:10] ENERGY BOOST AND.
[2:19:11] INCREASE FOCUS AND.
[2:19:13] THEN AT A HIGHER.
[2:19:14] SERVING SIZE PEOPLE ARE USING
[2:19:15] IT TO FIGHT OFF FEELINGS
[2:19:17] OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.
[2:19:17] AND THEN THAT THIRD CATEGORY
[2:19:19] WHICH GETS THE MOST ATTENTION
[2:19:21] HIGHER SERVING SIZE PEOPLE.
[2:19:23] MANAGING ACUTE AND CHRONIC PAIN
[2:19:25] AND A.
[2:19:25] SUBSET OF THAT ARE THOSE.
[2:19:27] PEOPLE THAT.
[2:19:28] ARE.
[2:19:28] USING IT TO GET OFF OPIOIDS.
[2:19:29] THAT'S WHY THE NIH.
[2:19:31] STUDY IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT
[2:19:32] TO SEE IF.
[2:19:34] THERE IS AN ACTUAL
[2:19:35] PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE PRODUCT.
[2:19:36] THAT THEY CAN.
[2:19:37] THEN GO THROUGH THE NDA
[2:19:39] PROCESS.
[2:19:39] HERE WE SEE NATURAL CREAM.
[2:19:42] HELPING PEOPLE EVERY DAY AND.
[2:19:44] THE DISTINCTION IS THE
[2:19:44] SERVING SIZE, WHICH IS.
[2:19:46] WHY LABELING IS SO IMPORTANT
[2:19:47] THAT, UH, COUNCILMAN CULPEPPER
[2:19:48] BROUGHT UP.
[2:19:50] THANK YOU.
[2:19:53] QUESTIONS QUESTIONS I JUST YEAH
[2:19:55] ,I.
[2:19:56] JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION.
[2:19:57] UH, MADAM CHAIR, UM, SO NOT
[2:20:00] TALKING ABOUT SYNTHETIC KRATOM
[2:20:02] BUT WITH KRATOM ITSELF, IS IT
[2:20:06] ABUSED IN ANY WAY IN TERMS
[2:20:10] OF SOMEONE MIXING IT WITH ANY
[2:20:14] OTHER TYPE OF DRUG OR USING IT
[2:20:16] IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT DOES
[2:20:18] BECOME DANGEROUS?
[2:20:21] AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT HOW
[2:20:23] UH, YOU KNOW, HOW IT'S
[2:20:25] PRESCRIBED OR HOW IT'S SUPPOSED
[2:20:26] TO BE USED, BUT IS THERE ANY
[2:20:28] TYPE OF UM MISUSE OF.
[2:20:31] IT OF.
[2:20:32] OF KRATOM AND.
[2:20:33] THAT DOES GET PEOPLE UM HI I
[2:20:38] GUESS.
[2:20:39] YES.
[2:20:40] I THINK IT'S BEEN.
[2:20:41] IDENTIFIED BY THE.
[2:20:42] NATIONAL INSTITUTE.
[2:20:43] ON.
[2:20:43] DRUG ABUSE BY.
[2:20:44] HHS AND FDA THAT THERE ARE
[2:20:46] PEOPLE THAT ARE.
[2:20:47] USING KRATOM ALONG WITH.
[2:20:49] THESE OTHER SUBSTANCES WHERE WE
[2:20:51] THINK.
[2:20:52] THAT THEY.
[2:20:52] SAY.
[2:20:52] OH, I CAN TAKE I CAN.
[2:20:54] TAKE HEROIN BUT IF I TAKE.
[2:20:55] KRATOM AT THE SAME TIME.
[2:20:57] IT CAN HELP ME REDUCE THOSE
[2:20:58] EFFECTS.
[2:20:58] AND THEY END UP DYING BECAUSE
[2:21:00] OF AN.
[2:21:00] OVERDOSE OF HEROIN AND BECAUSE
[2:21:03] PROGENY.
[2:21:03] IS PRESENT SO CAN PEOPLE ABUSE
[2:21:05] IT?
[2:21:06] OF COURSE.
[2:21:06] UH, DOCTOR VOLKOW, THE HEAD
[2:21:08] OF NIDA UH.
[2:21:09] MADE AN INTERESTING.
[2:21:10] COMMENT ABOUT THAT IN TERMS
[2:21:12] OF ADDRESSING YOUR.
[2:21:13] PARTICULAR QUESTION.
[2:21:14] SHE SAID THAT THERE.
[2:21:15] THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT
[2:21:16] ARE USING IT AS A.
[2:21:17] HARM REDUCTION TOOL BECAUSE
[2:21:19] THEY'RE.
[2:21:19] ABLE TO WEAN OFF OF MORE
[2:21:21] DANGEROUS OPIOIDS.
[2:21:22] BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE USE.
[2:21:25] OF KRATOM IS IT USED TO GET.
[2:21:27] A EUPHORIC HIGH?
[2:21:28] NO.
[2:21:28] IS IT USED TO.
[2:21:29] DELIVER THE KIND OF.
[2:21:30] EFFECT THAT.
[2:21:31] HEROIN OR FENTANYL DOES?
[2:21:32] NO.
[2:21:32] THEY JUST TAKE IT BECAUSE
[2:21:34] THEY ARE DRUG.
[2:21:34] SEEKERS AND.
[2:21:35] THERE'S A CERTAIN.
[2:21:37] CLASSIFICATION OF.
[2:21:37] PEOPLE IN THIS DRUG SPACE
[2:21:40] WHO.
[2:21:40] ABUSE DRUGS THAT.
[2:21:42] HAVE AN.
[2:21:42] ADDICTION PERSONALITY.
[2:21:43] AND SHE SAID YOU'LL NEVER BE
[2:21:45] ABLE TO.
[2:21:45] TREAT THEM.
[2:21:46] WITH MEDICINE.
[2:21:47] IT HAS TO BE PSYCHOLOGICAL.
[2:21:48] TREATMENT AS WELL.
[2:21:49] SO THESE ARE DIFFICULT ISSUES.
[2:21:51] BUT KRATOM ITSELF IS NOT THE.
[2:21:53] YOU DON'T ADD.
[2:21:54] SOMETHING TO KRATOM IT'S
[2:21:55] USUALLY.
[2:21:55] KRATOM BEING ADDED TO
[2:21:57] SOMETHING.
[2:21:58] ELSE THAT BECOMES AN
[2:21:58] ADULTERATED PRODUCT.
[2:21:59] THEY'RE TRYING TO GET OFF
[2:22:00] OF WHATEVER THEY'RE DOING AND
[2:22:03] THAT'S WHERE WE.
[2:22:03] SEE THE ACTIVITY.
[2:22:04] THANK YOU.
[2:22:04] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
[2:22:06] THANK YOU, COUNCILOR FLYNN.
[2:22:08] UM THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING
[2:22:09] HERE.
[2:22:10] SORRY YOU THREE I APOLOGIZE
[2:22:11] MATTHEW THANK YOU.
[2:22:12] THANK YOU.
[2:22:13] NEXT PLEASE.
[2:22:14] HAVE.
[2:22:14] THEY'LL BE.
[2:22:15] THE IN PERSON NEXT TIME.
[2:22:17] I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION,
[2:22:18] MATTHEW.
[2:22:18] I'M SORRY I CAN OUT MYSELF.
[2:22:19] WHERE ARE YOU BASED OUT OF.
[2:22:21] I'M ACTUALLY.
[2:22:22] IN CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA AT
[2:22:23] THE MOMENT.
[2:22:24] AND SO I SPENT MY TIME BETWEEN
[2:22:26] SOUTH AFRICA AND THE US.
[2:22:27] OKAY.
[2:22:28] THANK YOU SO MUCH I
[2:22:29] APPRECIATE YOU INDULGE ME IN
[2:22:30] THAT QUESTION.
[2:22:30] THANK YOU.
[2:22:31] UM ALL RIGHT.
[2:22:31] WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
[2:22:35] UH LET'S SEE SO I APOLOGIZE I
[2:22:36] HAVE TO BRING UP MY LIST HERE.
[2:22:43] WE HAVE A NUMBER OF FOLKS STILL
[2:22:45] SIGNED UP.
[2:22:46] UM, AND I THINK FOR THIS ROUND
[2:22:49] IF I SEE YOUR NAME, JUST RAISE
[2:22:50] YOUR HAND SO THAT IT'S EASY FOR
[2:22:51] OUR CENTRAL STAFF TO FIND YOU.
[2:22:53] WE HAVE MORGAN JOHNSON, SUSAN
[2:22:58] ABAD.
[2:23:00] UH, CHAD CORRAL IS STILL ON.
[2:23:03] THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, CHAD.
[2:23:04] AND FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
[2:23:06] DANA.
[2:23:09] A REASON I APOLOGIZE I SAID
[2:23:11] YOUR NAME WRONG.
[2:23:12] PLEASE CORRECT ME WHEN YOU GET
[2:23:13] ON AND JEN.
[2:23:14] UM, MERCIER.
[2:23:16] SO WE'LL START WITH CHAD IF
[2:23:19] HE'S STILL ON AND THEN GO TO
[2:23:20] MORGAN AND THEN SUSAN.
[2:23:25] OH, SORRY.
[2:23:26] CAN YOU HEAR ME?
[2:23:27] WE CAN HEAR YOU.
[2:23:28] THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I
[2:23:29] APPRECIATE YOU STILL BEING
[2:23:30] HERE.
[2:23:31] OH.
[2:23:31] NO, IT'S MY FAULT.
[2:23:32] I TRIED TO LOG ON EARLIER AND
[2:23:35] MY INTERNET WENT OUT FOR A
[2:23:36] LITTLE WHILE AND THEN YOU WENT
[2:23:38] TO THE PANELISTS.
[2:23:39] SO THAT WAS ON ME.
[2:23:41] UH, MY NAME IS CHAD CORRAL.
[2:23:43] UM, I'VE BEEN USING PLAIN LEAF
[2:23:48] KRATOM.
[2:23:49] UH, I CALL IT CROWD.
[2:23:51] UM, I THINK THAT'S.
[2:23:52] THAT'S WHAT WE CALLED.
[2:23:53] IT BACK THEN.
[2:23:54] UM, I'VE BEEN USING IT FOR 16
[2:23:55] YEARS.
[2:23:57] I ORIGINALLY FOUND IT BECAUSE I
[2:24:00] HAD.
[2:24:00] DEVELOPED.
[2:24:01] UH, AN ADDICTION TO
[2:24:02] PAINKILLERS AND I WAS HAVING A
[2:24:05] LOT OF TROUBLE GETTING OFF
[2:24:06] OF THEM.
[2:24:06] AND IT'S WEIRD YOU NEVER THINK
[2:24:08] THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE THE
[2:24:09] KIND OF PERSON TO GET IN THAT
[2:24:11] KIND OF TROUBLE, AND THEN IT
[2:24:11] HAPPENS.
[2:24:12] UM, AND SO.
[2:24:15] I WAS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO
[2:24:17] STOP.
[2:24:17] AND I FOUND KRATOM AND IT WAS A
[2:24:20] GODSEND TO ME.
[2:24:21] IT DIDN'T GIVE ME ANY KIND
[2:24:23] OF HIGH AT ALL.
[2:24:25] UM.
[2:24:26] I THINK A CUP OF COFFEE IS.
[2:24:27] MORE INEBRIATED TO ME AND
[2:24:29] KRATOM.
[2:24:29] BUT WHAT IT DID DO WAS IT TOOK
[2:24:32] AWAY THAT CRAVING THAT I.
[2:24:33] HAD THAT.
[2:24:34] I WANTED TO USE THOSE PILLS.
[2:24:36] UM AND IT WORKED.
[2:24:38] I USED IT FOR SIX MONTHS AND,
[2:24:42] UM, I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CRAVINGS.
[2:24:44] I STILL DON'T HAVE CRAVINGS.
[2:24:45] UM, I THINK I'VE HAD SOME
[2:24:48] HYDROCODONE IN MY CABINET FOR
[2:24:49] LIKE TEN YEARS.
[2:24:50] I HAVE I HAVE NO UM I HAVE NO
[2:24:53] DESIRE TO USE THOSE.
[2:24:54] UH, SO I HAD QUIT FOR ABOUT SIX
[2:24:56] MONTHS.
[2:24:56] IT DID ITS JOB.
[2:24:57] I USE THEM TO GET OFF
[2:24:58] OF HYDROCODONE.
[2:24:59] UM, I STOPPED AT EVERYTHING WAS
[2:25:00] COOL.
[2:25:02] UH, ABOUT 6 TO 8 MONTHS LATER,
[2:25:05] UM, I DEVELOPED SOME CHRONIC
[2:25:07] AND KNEE PAIN WITH A CONDITION
[2:25:10] THAT I HAVE.
[2:25:11] AND THAT'S WHEN I GOT BACK ON
[2:25:13] THE PROGRAM TO DEAL WITH THAT,
[2:25:15] UH, KNEE PAIN, UM, NONSTEROIDAL
[2:25:18] ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS.
[2:25:19] ARE A LITTLE.
[2:25:19] HARD ON MY ON MY STOMACH AND
[2:25:21] AND FRANKLY, NOT ENOUGH.
[2:25:22] SO I'VE BEEN USING NATURAL
[2:25:25] PLAINLY KRATOM FOR, YOU KNOW,
[2:25:27] THE LAST 15 YEARS UM, FOR MY
[2:25:30] CHRONIC PAIN AND I KNOW A LOT
[2:25:33] OF PEOPLE HAVE PROBABLY TOUCHED
[2:25:34] ON THIS BUT WHEN I SAY PLAIN.
[2:25:36] LEAF KRATOM THAT LITERALLY JUST
[2:25:40] MEANS A.
[2:25:40] LEAF OFF OF A.
[2:25:42] TREE THAT IS DRIED GROUND.
[2:25:45] UH AND THEN YOU TAKE.
[2:25:47] IT UM UH AND YOU CAN PUT IT IN
[2:25:50] CAPSULES OR AS.
[2:25:51] A TEA.
[2:25:52] CHAD THAT'S AND I THINK IT'S
[2:25:53] IMPORTANT.
[2:25:53] TO HAVE UM, 50 MORE SECONDS.
[2:25:54] THANK YOU.
[2:25:55] OKAY.
[2:25:55] PERFECT.
[2:25:56] UM, YEAH.
[2:25:58] SO I THINK IT'S REALLY
[2:25:59] IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND
[2:26:00] THAT THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS.
[2:26:02] LIKE SYNTHETIC KRATOM.
[2:26:03] WHAT YOU HAVE ARE THESE
[2:26:04] DERIVATIVES.
[2:26:04] SO IT'S NOT LIKE LAB MADE
[2:26:06] DIAMONDS VERSUS LIKE REAL
[2:26:07] DIAMONDS.
[2:26:08] THESE SYNTHETIC DERIVATIVES.
[2:26:10] ARE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
[2:26:11] BEAST THAT HAVE BEEN AMPED UP
[2:26:12] AND SOUPED UP, UM, A LOT.
[2:26:14] AND I REALLY JUST WANTED TO
[2:26:15] MAKE I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD.
[2:26:16] THIS BEFORE, BUT IT'S NOT.
[2:26:18] LIKE SYNTHETIC KRATOM.
[2:26:19] IT'S A SYNTHETIC DERIVATIVE
[2:26:22] THAT'S.
[2:26:22] BEEN LAB MADE.
[2:26:23] UM, AND I HAVE OTHER STORIES
[2:26:24] THAT I DON'T HAVE TIME TO TELL
[2:26:25] YOU.
[2:26:26] A FRIENDS WHO.
[2:26:27] THOUGHT THEY WERE BUYING THAT
[2:26:28] THOUGHT THEY WERE BUYING KRATOM
[2:26:29] IN A SMOKE SHOP AND ENDED UP ON
[2:26:30] 702 AND THREE MONTHS LATER THEY
[2:26:32] WERE IN REHAB.
[2:26:33] SO THEY'RE TWO VERY DIFFERENT.
[2:26:34] THINGS AND KRATOM HAS BEEN VERY
[2:26:35] HELPFUL.
[2:26:36] FOR ME.
[2:26:36] UM, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE AND I
[2:26:38] THINK UM I.
[2:26:40] FULLY SUPPORT UM COMMON SENSE
[2:26:42] REGULATIONS.
[2:26:43] THANK YOU.
[2:26:45] UH, NEXT WE'LL GO TO SUZANNE
[2:26:46] AND THEN DANA.
[2:26:59] SUZANNE IF YOU'RE ON.
[2:27:10] HERE.
[2:27:11] YES?
[2:27:12] CAN YOU HEAR ME?
[2:27:13] UH.
[2:27:13] YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU.
[2:27:14] THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[2:27:15] HI.
[2:27:16] MY NAME IS SUSAN SHEPHERD
[2:27:18] AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING
[2:27:19] ME TO SPEAK AND FOR WHAT YOU'RE
[2:27:21] TRYING TO DO TO PROTECT PEOPLE.
[2:27:23] UM, I'M JUST HERE TO SAY THAT
[2:27:27] MY SON DIED FROM NATURAL WHOLLY
[2:27:29] KRATOM POWDER.
[2:27:31] NO SUN SET SYNTHETICS NOR SEMI
[2:27:34] SYNTHETICS.
[2:27:34] HE DIED IN 2021 LONG BEFORE THE
[2:27:37] SEMI SYNTHETICS HIT THE MARKET
[2:27:39] IN LATE 2023.
[2:27:42] AND I'VE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE
[2:27:45] COME UP TO ME.
[2:27:47] I HAD 10 MILLION VIEWS ON MY
[2:27:49] SOCIAL MEDIA AND SAID THAT
[2:27:50] THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE DIED
[2:27:52] FROM KRATOM AS WELL AND THIS
[2:27:54] WAS LONG BEFORE THE SEMI
[2:27:56] SYNTHETICS.
[2:27:57] SO YES, PEOPLE ARE DYING AT A
[2:27:59] FASTER RATE BECAUSE OF THE
[2:28:01] SEMI-SYNTHETIC AND THE
[2:28:02] SYNTHETICS BUT THE THE MAIN
[2:28:04] THING IS IS KRATOM IS IS THE
[2:28:08] NATURAL INGREDIENT TO MAKE
[2:28:10] SEMI-SYNTHETIC WITHOUT THAT
[2:28:12] THEY WON'T EXIST.
[2:28:14] UM AND I'M JUST ASKING YOU TO
[2:28:16] BAN ALL OF KRATOM.
[2:28:17] THANK YOU.
[2:28:20] THANK YOU SUSAN FOR YOUR
[2:28:21] TESTIMONY AND I'M SORRY FOR
[2:28:22] YOUR LOSS.
[2:28:23] THANK YOU.
[2:28:24] UM, DANA.
[2:28:44] UH, DANA, YOU NEED TO ACCEPT
[2:28:46] PANELIST PROMOTION.
[2:28:48] OH, THERE WE GO.
[2:28:48] WE CAN HEAR HIM.
[2:28:49] OKAY.
[2:28:50] ALL RIGHT.
[2:28:50] SORRY ABOUT THAT.
[2:28:53] UM.
[2:28:56] OKAY.
[2:28:56] UH, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING
[2:28:58] ME TO SPEAK TODAY.
[2:29:00] MY NAME IS DANA ABERDEEN AND
[2:29:02] I'M A CHRONIC PAIN PATIENT WHO
[2:29:03] HAS LIVED WITH SEVERE PAIN FOR
[2:29:05] 25 YEARS.
[2:29:06] UM, MY PAIN BEGAN AFTER A CAR
[2:29:09] ACCIDENT IN 2002.
[2:29:11] FIVE YEARS LATER I HAD SPINE
[2:29:12] SURGERY.
[2:29:13] SIX MONTHS AFTER THAT I WAS
[2:29:14] REAR ENDED AGAIN.
[2:29:15] THE SECOND ACCIDENT ENDED MY
[2:29:17] CAREER AS A REGISTERED NURSE
[2:29:18] AND COMPLETELY CHANGED MY LIFE.
[2:29:20] I'VE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH
[2:29:22] DEGENERATIVE DISEASE AND
[2:29:23] RIDICULE APATHY ALONG WITH
[2:29:24] OTHER SPINE ISSUES, COMPLEX
[2:29:26] REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME AND
[2:29:29] IDIOPATHIC SMALL FIBER NOT
[2:29:30] EVERYTHING.
[2:29:30] FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS I WAS
[2:29:32] TREATED BY PAIN MANAGEMENT.
[2:29:33] I TRIED COUNTLESS MEDICATIONS,
[2:29:35] INJECTIONS, PROCEDURES,
[2:29:36] PHYSICAL THERAPY, COUNTLESS
[2:29:38] TESTS, TWO SPINAL CORD
[2:29:39] STIMULATOR TRIALS AND OTHER
[2:29:41] NONINVASIVE TREATMENTS.
[2:29:43] FOR ABOUT 15 OF THE 20 YEARS I
[2:29:45] WAS IN PAIN MANAGEMENT, I WAS
[2:29:47] TAKING 300 MILES
[2:29:49] OF PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS EVERY
[2:29:50] DAY ALONG WITH MUSCLE RELAXERS,
[2:29:52] HIGH DOSE GABAPENTIN HIGH DOSE
[2:29:54] IBUPROFEN THOSE MEDICATIONS DID
[2:29:57] HELP MY PAIN BUT THEY ALSO LEFT
[2:29:58] ME WITH PROFOUND FATIGUE AND
[2:30:00] BRAIN FOG.
[2:30:01] I WAS PREDOMINANTLY BEDBOUND
[2:30:02] AND I EXPERIENCED SERIOUS
[2:30:04] GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS DUE
[2:30:05] TO MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS THAT
[2:30:07] RESULTED IN MULTIPLE
[2:30:09] HOSPITALIZATIONS.
[2:30:10] I ALSO LIVED WITH THE CONSTANT
[2:30:11] BURDEN OF MAINTAINING ACCESS TO
[2:30:12] CONTROLLED MEDICATION.
[2:30:14] SIX YEARS AGO, UNDER THE
[2:30:16] GUIDANCE OF MY PAIN MANAGEMENT
[2:30:17] PHYSICIAN, I TRANSITIONED TO
[2:30:18] NATURAL RELIEF KRATOM.
[2:30:20] KRATOM DID NOT HEAR MY PAIN.
[2:30:22] IT DOES NOT CONTROL MY PAIN AS
[2:30:24] WELL AS PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS
[2:30:25] DID I STILL HURT EVERY DAY BUT
[2:30:28] I'M AWAKE.
[2:30:29] I'M MORE FUNCTIONAL.
[2:30:30] I CAN DRIVE MY DAUGHTER TO
[2:30:32] APPOINTMENTS, TAKE HER PLACES
[2:30:33] AND BE PRESENT FOR HER LIFE.
[2:30:35] I WAS EVEN ABLE TO TAKE HER TO
[2:30:37] A K-POP CONCERT NOT THAT LONG
[2:30:38] AGO, WHICH IS SOMETHING I WOULD
[2:30:40] NEVER HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE
[2:30:41] DONE WHILE I WAS ON ALL OF THE
[2:30:45] MEDICATIONS THAT I WAS ON
[2:30:46] PREVIOUSLY.
[2:30:47] I CAN ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE IN
[2:30:49] MY OWN LIFE AGAIN.
[2:30:50] THIS IS WHY THE DISTINCTION IN
[2:30:52] THIS ORDINANCE MATTERS TO ME.
[2:30:54] I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS
[2:30:55] SURROUNDING CONCENTRATED AND
[2:30:56] SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS INCLUDING
[2:30:58] PRODUCTS CONTAINING CONCENTRATE
[2:31:00] AT 7 OR 8.
[2:31:01] I BELIEVE THOSE CONCERNS
[2:31:02] DESERVE TO BE ADDRESSED, BUT
[2:31:04] PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME THAT
[2:31:05] NATURALLY OCCURRING THEM IN
[2:31:06] HIGHLY CONCENTRATED OR
[2:31:07] SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS ARE THE SAME
[2:31:09] THING THEY'RE FUNDAMENTALLY
[2:31:10] DIFFERENT PRODUCTS.
[2:31:12] I HUMBLY ASK THAT YOU PROTECT
[2:31:13] PROTECT RESPONSIBLE ADULT
[2:31:15] ACCESS TO TRADITIONAL NATURALLY
[2:31:16] KRATOM WHILE ADDRESSING THE
[2:31:18] PRODUCTS THAT PRESENT
[2:31:19] LEGITIMATE SAFETY CONCERNS.
[2:31:21] KRATOM DOES NOT FULLY TAKE MY
[2:31:23] PAIN AWAY.
[2:31:23] DANA THANK YOU BUT ABOUT TEN
[2:31:25] MORE SECONDS I'M SORRY OKAY.
[2:31:27] IT HELPS ME TO MANAGE IT TO A
[2:31:28] FAIR DEGREE WHILE REMAINING
[2:31:29] PRESENT AND ABLE TO FUNCTION
[2:31:31] AND PARTICIPATE IN MY OWN LIFE
[2:31:33] NATURALLY IF KRATOM GAVE ME MY
[2:31:34] LIFE BACK AND I JUST WANTED TO
[2:31:36] MENTION THAT UM THIS SO MANY
[2:31:38] SYNTHETICS HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN
[2:31:40] AROUND SINCE AT LEAST 2018.
[2:31:42] THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING
[2:31:44] ME SPEAK.
[2:31:45] THANK YOU DANA.
[2:31:46] UH, JEN MERCIER, YOU JUST NEED
[2:31:50] TO ACCEPT THE PANEL'S
[2:31:52] PROMOTION.
[2:31:53] JEN.
[2:32:01] OKAY, GREAT.
[2:32:03] CAN YOU HEAR ME?
[2:32:03] OKAY.
[2:32:04] ABSOLUTELY.
[2:32:04] JEN.
[2:32:04] GO AHEAD.
[2:32:05] YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES, PLEASE.
[2:32:06] OKAY, GREAT.
[2:32:06] THANK YOU.
[2:32:07] UM, I WAS REALLY HOPING TO BE
[2:32:09] THERE IN PERSON AND
[2:32:10] UNFORTUNATELY COULDN'T MAKE IT.
[2:32:11] SO I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY
[2:32:13] TO SPEAK VIRTUALLY.
[2:32:14] UM, MY NAME IS JEN MERCIER.
[2:32:15] I'M A MOTHER, A BUSINESS OWNER,
[2:32:17] A HOLISTIC MENTOR AND A
[2:32:18] LONGTIME NATURAL MEDICINE AND
[2:32:20] HEALTH FREEDOM ADVOCATE.
[2:32:21] I'VE SPENT YEARS FOLLOWING THE
[2:32:23] SCIENCE AROUND THIS PLANT AND
[2:32:24] WORKING WITH THE LAWMAKERS HERE
[2:32:26] IN NEW ENGLAND AND ACROSS THE
[2:32:27] COUNTRY.
[2:32:28] IN FACT, I WAS JUST IN
[2:32:29] WASHINGTON DC LAST WEEK MEETING
[2:32:30] WITH LEGISLATORS AND ADVOCATING
[2:32:32] FOR FEDERAL CONSUMER
[2:32:34] PROTECTIONS.
[2:32:35] UM, I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING
[2:32:36] WHILE I WAS THERE I VISITED THE
[2:32:38] UNITED STATES BOTANIC GARDEN
[2:32:39] AND SAW A LIVING KRATOM TREE IN
[2:32:41] THE MEDICINAL PLANT COLLECTION
[2:32:43] EMPHASIS ON MEDICINAL I
[2:32:45] REMEMBER THINKING HOW
[2:32:46] INCREDIBLY IRONIC THAT WAS
[2:32:48] CONSIDERING UM, MASSACHUSETTS
[2:32:50] HAD JUST MADE IT A SCHEDULE ONE
[2:32:53] I REALIZE THAT'S TEMPORARY AND
[2:32:54] I WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE THE
[2:32:56] ORDINANCE THAT YOU'RE WORKING
[2:32:56] ON, UM, DISTINGUISHES BETWEEN
[2:32:59] THE HIGHLY CONCENTRATED
[2:33:01] SYNTHETICS AND THE COMPLETELY
[2:33:02] UNRELATED, UM, DANGEROUS
[2:33:04] PRODUCTS OUT THERE AND THE
[2:33:05] WHOLE WHOLE LEAF NATURAL PLANT.
[2:33:08] UM, I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT
[2:33:10] GETTING THE SYNTHETICS OFF THE
[2:33:11] SHELVES.
[2:33:12] THIS IS VERY PERSONAL FOR ME.
[2:33:14] I'VE USED NATURAL LEAF KRATOM
[2:33:15] BEFORE AFTER MY, UM, EMERGENCY
[2:33:18] SURGERIES.
[2:33:18] I DON'T UTILIZE IT NOW BECAUSE
[2:33:20] I DON'T NEED TO.
[2:33:21] I HONESTLY FIGHT FOR THIS
[2:33:22] BECAUSE IT'S FOR THE PEOPLE I
[2:33:24] LOVE.
[2:33:25] MY HUSBAND USES IT RESPONSIBLY
[2:33:26] AND HAS FOR YEARS HE SHOWED
[2:33:27] HE'S ABLE TO SHOW UP FOR OUR
[2:33:29] FAMILY BECAUSE OF THIS.
[2:33:30] HE HAS CHRONIC LYME AND A BUNCH
[2:33:31] OF OTHER DEBILITATING UM
[2:33:34] DISEASES THAT HE NAVIGATES AND
[2:33:35] ALSO FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND
[2:33:37] THESE THESE ARE OUR NEIGHBORS.
[2:33:38] THEY WORK, THEY RAISE FAMILIES
[2:33:40] AND ESSENTIALLY OVERNIGHT
[2:33:42] MASSACHUSETTS MADE THEM
[2:33:43] CRIMINALS AND I ONCE THIS
[2:33:46] TEMPORARY SCHEDULING GOES AWAY
[2:33:49] I REALLY HOPE THAT YOU ARE THE
[2:33:51] LEAD IN YOUR IN MASSACHUSETTS
[2:33:53] AND DO THESE PROPER ORDINANCES
[2:33:57] UM I DO THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY
[2:33:59] SCIENTIFIC STUDIES YOU KNOW
[2:34:01] NAIDA HAS DONE IT THERE'S JUST
[2:34:03] THERE'S SO MUCH SCIENCE BACKING
[2:34:04] THERE THEN AND THERE THEY ARE
[2:34:07] HUMAN CLINICAL TRIALS THE FDA
[2:34:09] DID AN ASCENDING DOSE STUDY
[2:34:10] WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT IT WAS
[2:34:12] TOLERATED WELL AT ALL DOSES.
[2:34:14] THERE WAS NO UM NEGATIVE SIDE.
[2:34:16] EFFECT 15 SECONDS THANK YOU.
[2:34:18] OKAY GREAT NO RESPIRATORY
[2:34:19] DEPRESSION ETC. SO I JUST I
[2:34:21] WANT TO THANK YOU AND I JUST
[2:34:23] WANT UM AGAIN THANK YOU FOR
[2:34:25] DOING SENSIBLE REGULATION.
[2:34:26] YOU GUYS ARE GREAT.
[2:34:27] THANK YOU SO MUCH JENNIFER.
[2:34:29] UH UP NEXT IS DYLAN SMITH.
[2:34:31] DYLAN.
[2:34:32] YOU JUST NEED TO.
[2:34:33] ACCEPT THE PANELIST PROMOTION.
[2:34:34] YOU SHOULD SEE.
[2:34:35] A POP UP ON YOUR SCREEN.
[2:34:46] HI.
[2:34:46] CAN YOU HEAR ME?
[2:34:47] YEP.
[2:34:48] GO AHEAD.
[2:34:48] DYLAN, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
[2:34:49] GOOD AFTERNOON.
[2:34:50] UH, MY NAME IS DYLAN.
[2:34:51] I'M A FATHER AND AN ADVOCATE
[2:34:53] FOR NATURAL HEALTH AND
[2:34:54] MEDICINE.
[2:34:55] IN 2018 I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH
[2:34:57] NEURO BERLIOZ'S AN INFECTION
[2:34:59] CAUSED BY THE BACTERIA
[2:35:00] RESPONSIBLE.
[2:35:01] FOR LYME.
[2:35:01] DISEASE THAT AFFECTS.
[2:35:02] THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM.
[2:35:04] MY DAILY REALITY INCLUDED
[2:35:05] CRIPPLING PAIN, FATIGUE,
[2:35:07] ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, INSOMNIA
[2:35:08] AND DIGESTIVE DISTRESS.
[2:35:10] MY CONDITION BECAME SO SEVERE
[2:35:12] THAT I WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR
[2:35:13] OVER A MONTH AND I WAS PLACED
[2:35:14] ON DISABILITY AND FOR SEVERAL
[2:35:16] YEARS I WAS COMPLETELY UNABLE
[2:35:17] TO SUPPORT MYSELF.
[2:35:18] I HAVE RECENTLY RETURNED TO
[2:35:20] WORK SOMETHING MOST DISABLED
[2:35:22] PEOPLE NEVER DO IN LARGE PART
[2:35:23] BECAUSE OF CREIGHTON'S ROLE IN
[2:35:25] HELPING MANAGE MY COMPLEX
[2:35:26] HEALTH ISSUES.
[2:35:27] THIS HAS ALLOWED ME TO
[2:35:28] CONTRIBUTE TO MY FAMILY AND MY
[2:35:30] COMMUNITY AGAIN IN 2016 I
[2:35:32] ENTERED RECOVERY FROM ALCOHOL
[2:35:33] AND PRESCRIPTION PILLS THAT I
[2:35:34] WAS BEING PRESCRIBED WITH A
[2:35:36] BACKGROUND IN ADDICTION, I'M
[2:35:37] ACUTELY AWARE OF WHEN SOMETHING
[2:35:39] PLAYS A MEDICINAL ROLE IN MY
[2:35:40] LIFE AND WHEN SOMETHING IS
[2:35:43] DESTRUCTIVE.
[2:35:43] IN MY 15 YEARS OF TREATMENT, NO
[2:35:45] OTHER SUBSTANCE HAS EVER BEEN
[2:35:46] AS MEDICINAL OR HELPFUL AS
[2:35:48] NATURAL KRATOM LEAF.
[2:35:49] IT SUPPORTS MY RECOVERY PROCESS
[2:35:50] WITHOUT MAKING ME FEEL
[2:35:52] INTOXICATED OR INEBRIATED
[2:35:53] SOMETHING THAT IS EXTREMELY
[2:35:54] IMPORTANT TO ME AND MY FAMILY
[2:35:56] BY LONG LOST ACCESS TO NATURAL
[2:35:57] LEAF KRATOM POWDER, IT WOULD
[2:36:00] SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT MY ABILITY
[2:36:01] TO BE THE FATHER AND COMMUNITY
[2:36:02] MEMBER THAT I AM TODAY.
[2:36:04] IT WOULD TAKE AWAY THE SINGLE
[2:36:05] MOST EFFECTIVE TOOL THAT I HAVE
[2:36:06] FOR MANAGING MANAGING MY
[2:36:08] PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.
[2:36:10] REVELATION 22 TWO SAYS IN THE
[2:36:12] MIDST OF THE STREET OF IT AND
[2:36:14] ON EITHER SIDE OF THE RIVER WAS
[2:36:15] THERE THE TREE OF LIFE WHICH
[2:36:16] BARE 12 MANNER OF FRUITS AND
[2:36:18] YIELDED HER FRUIT EVERY MONTH.
[2:36:19] AND THE LEAVES OF THE TREE WERE
[2:36:21] FOR THE HEALING OF THE NATIONS
[2:36:22] .
[2:36:22] THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME
[2:36:24] AND I REALLY THINK YOU GUYS
[2:36:25] HAVE GOTTEN IT RIGHT HERE.
[2:36:27] UM, NOBODY REALLY WANTS THESE
[2:36:28] NATURAL LEAVES.
[2:36:29] SAVES LIVES.
[2:36:30] THANK YOU.
[2:36:31] THANK YOU DYLAN.
[2:36:33] NEXT UP WE HAVE HOLLY TROUVILLE
[2:36:37] AS STEPHANIE.
[2:36:38] UM, TO KLAUS AND THEN ADAM.
[2:36:54] IT'S HOLLY WITH US.
[2:36:59] I'M HERE.
[2:36:59] CAN YOU HEAR ME?
[2:37:00] WE CAN HEAR YOU.
[2:37:02] OKAY.
[2:37:02] THANK YOU.
[2:37:04] UM, MY NAME IS HOLLY TROUVILLE
[2:37:06] AND, UM, MY SON DID DIE FROM A
[2:37:09] TRAGEDY AND TOXICITY.
[2:37:11] UM, COUNCILMAN FITZGERALD, I
[2:37:13] JUST WANTED TO CORRECT A COUPLE
[2:37:14] OF THINGS YOU SAID.
[2:37:15] UM, YOU DID SPEAK WITH, UM, THE
[2:37:18] LOWELL MAYOR, BUT HE ACTUALLY
[2:37:19] WANTED ALL CREATE AND BEING NOT
[2:37:20] JUST SYNTHETIC AND HE SAID HE'D
[2:37:22] BE HAPPY TO SPEAK WITH ANY
[2:37:23] OF YOU ON THE COUNCIL ABOUT
[2:37:24] THAT.
[2:37:25] AND 17 TOWNS HAVE NOT DONE
[2:37:28] SYNTHETIC IT'S HAVE BEEN ABOUT
[2:37:29] FIVE AND 50 HAVE DONE A
[2:37:30] COMPLETE BAN UH NATURAL AND
[2:37:33] SYNTHETIC INCLUDING THE TOWNS
[2:37:34] YOU SPOKE ABOUT.
[2:37:35] MR FLYNN, REVERE, BRAINTREE AND
[2:37:37] SAUGUS ARE ALL BANNED JUST IN
[2:37:38] THE LAST THREE WEEKS.
[2:37:40] BURLINGTON.
[2:37:41] .
[2:37:41] BRAINTREE.
[2:37:42] AND TEWKSBURY BANNED AND THERE
[2:37:43] ARE MANY MORE ON A DAILY BASIS.
[2:37:45] UM, THE PEOPLE ON YOUR SECOND
[2:37:47] PANEL ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE
[2:37:49] AKA AND OR USERS OF KRATOM AND
[2:37:51] I FEEL TO BE UNBIASED.
[2:37:53] YOU WOULD HAVE HAD THE OTHER
[2:37:54] SIDE ON THERE AS WELL.
[2:37:56] UM WITH THEIR SCIENTIFIC
[2:37:57] INFORMATION.
[2:37:58] UM ARE YOU AWARE THAT THERE IS
[2:38:01] A CONGRESSIONAL UH, LAUNCH BY
[2:38:03] SENATOR WYDEN IN THE UNITED
[2:38:05] STATES FINANCE COMMITTEE IN
[2:38:06] AUGUST?
[2:38:07] UM, WITH HUMAN UH, HOMELAND
[2:38:10] SECURITY SECRETARY MARK MULLEN
[2:38:13] AND SECRETARY KENNEDY DUE TO
[2:38:14] THEIR TIES AND INVESTMENT INTO
[2:38:17] NATURAL KRATOM.
[2:38:17] FEEL FREE BOTANICS.
[2:38:19] UM, AND THE OWNER JERRY ROSS.
[2:38:21] UM, I ALSO LISTEN TO A LOT
[2:38:23] OF THINGS AND I WONDER WHY
[2:38:24] YOU'RE ALLOWING CONSUMERS AND
[2:38:26] OR VENDORS TO DETERMINE DOSAGE
[2:38:28] .
[2:38:28] THE FDA HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH
[2:38:29] DOSAGE.
[2:38:30] YES, THEY ARE SAYING SYNTHETIC
[2:38:32] IS MORE DANGEROUS.
[2:38:33] THEY ARE NOT SAYING NATURAL
[2:38:34] THAN IS SAFE.
[2:38:35] IF THEY DID THEY WOULD BE
[2:38:36] REGULATING IT AND THEY'RE NOT
[2:38:38] REGULATING IT.
[2:38:39] I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY OUR
[2:38:41] CHILDREN'S DEATH CERTIFICATES
[2:38:42] ARE BEING QUESTIONED BUT IF
[2:38:43] SOMEBODY JUST SAYS KRATOM SAVED
[2:38:45] THEIR LIFE THEN THEIR WORD IS
[2:38:46] TAKEN ON IT.
[2:38:47] I DON'T THINK YOU WILL EVER
[2:38:48] FIND A DOCTOR THAT WILL SAY
[2:38:50] THAT KRATOM HAS SAVED THEIR
[2:38:52] PATIENT'S LIFE.
[2:38:53] UM OR WILL TESTIFY ON THAT
[2:38:54] CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW.
[2:38:57] I ALSO KNOW THAT FOUR STATES
[2:38:59] HAVE BANNED KRATOM IN THE LAST
[2:39:00] FOUR MONTHS AND KANSAS JUST
[2:39:02] CAME OUT WITH AN ARTICLE JUST
[2:39:04] THREE DAYS AGO SAYING HOW THEY
[2:39:06] HAVE HAD SUCH AN INCREASE IN
[2:39:09] EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS AND
[2:39:11] RECOVERY VISITS.
[2:39:12] WELL IF KRATOM IS SO SAFE THEN
[2:39:14] WHY WHY IS THIS OCCURRING?
[2:39:17] UM BECAUSE IT WAS ALL FORMS.
[2:39:19] UM, I THINK IT'S EASY TO SAY
[2:39:20] THAT IT'S JUST SYNTHETIC THAT'S
[2:39:21] BEING BANNED.
[2:39:22] I MEAN, THAT'S BEING DANGEROUS,
[2:39:23] BUT IT IS ALL KRATOM.
[2:39:25] UM, AND I FEEL THAT YOU SHOULD
[2:39:27] HAVE SPOKEN WITH BOTH SIDES
[2:39:29] OF THERE SHOULD BE UM THERE ARE
[2:39:31] DOCTORS IN MASSACHUSETTS.
[2:39:32] HAVE YOU SPOKEN TO THE PEOPLE
[2:39:34] THAT SENT YOU GUYS LETTERS?
[2:39:35] THERE HAVE BEEN CHIEF OF POLICE
[2:39:36] HAVE SENT LETTERS WANTING A
[2:39:37] FULL BEING.
[2:39:38] THERE HAVE BEEN BOARD OF HEALTH
[2:39:40] MEMBERS THAT HAVE SENT YOU THAT
[2:39:41] IS WANTING A FULL BAN.
[2:39:42] WHY WOULD 50 BOARD OF HEALTH
[2:39:44] MEMBERS BAN AND COMPLETELY
[2:39:47] NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC?
[2:39:48] IT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE IT'S
[2:39:50] EASIER TO DO THEY HAVE BACK AND
[2:39:51] THEY HAVE REASON.
[2:39:52] AND HAVE YOU SPOKE WITH THOSE
[2:39:53] 50 INSTEAD OF THE FIVE THAT
[2:39:55] HAVE BANNED FOR SYNTHETIC?
[2:39:56] THOSE ARE QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD
[2:39:57] BE LOOKING AT.
[2:39:58] WHY DID THE GOVERNMENT BEING AT
[2:39:59] ALL?
[2:40:00] THOSE ARE QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD
[2:40:01] BE LOOKING AT.
[2:40:03] UM AND I WOULD BE HAPPY AS WELL
[2:40:05] TO COME WITH SCIENTIFIC
[2:40:07] INFORMATION TO SIT IN MEET AS
[2:40:08] WELL.
[2:40:08] I JUST FEEL YOU TRULY BEFORE
[2:40:09] YOU MAKE A DECISION YOU NEED TO
[2:40:11] TRULY TRULY LOOK AT EVERYTHING
[2:40:13] .
[2:40:15] UM IN ALL THESE STUDIES BECAUSE
[2:40:16] THERE'S A LOT MORE OUT THERE.
[2:40:18] UM, AND I JUST WANTED TO, UM,
[2:40:21] SAY THAT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR
[2:40:23] TIME.
[2:40:24] THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR
[2:40:26] TESTIMONY, HOLLY.
[2:40:27] UM, WE'RE DEEPLY SORRY FOR YOUR
[2:40:28] LOSS.
[2:40:29] UM, BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR
[2:40:30] ADVOCACY IN MEMORY OF YOUR SON.
[2:40:31] JUST KNOW THAT WE ARE, UM WE WE
[2:40:34] WELCOME YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND WE
[2:40:35] WANT YOUR PERSPECTIVE INVOLVED
[2:40:36] IN THE CONVERSATION.
[2:40:37] SO I'LL WORK WITH THE LEAD
[2:40:38] SPONSOR TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU
[2:40:39] KNOW WHEN, UM, NEXT WORKING
[2:40:40] SESSIONS ARE AND, UM, INVITE
[2:40:43] YOU THERE SO WE CAN HAVE YOUR
[2:40:44] PERSPECTIVE IN.
[2:40:45] THOSE.
[2:40:45] CONVERSATIONS AGAIN.
[2:40:46] THANK YOU.
[2:40:48] UM, NEXT UP WE HAVE
[2:40:50] STEPHANIE AND THEN ADAM AND
[2:40:53] GERALD.
[2:41:03] I.
[2:41:04] STEPHANIE TO CLOSE.
[2:41:07] UM WE HAVE YOU HAVE?
[2:41:09] I'M SORRY YOU HAVE TO STEP OUT
[2:41:10] OF THE ROOM.
[2:41:11] I'M HEARING SOME ECHO.
[2:41:12] I WANTED.
[2:41:13] TO.
[2:41:13] DEFER THE TIME.
[2:41:14] TO MY PARTNER THAT I CALLED ON
[2:41:17] BEHALF OF HIS KRATOM, UM,
[2:41:20] LAWSUIT HERE IN FRANKLIN
[2:41:22] COUNTY.
[2:41:24] UM, HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK
[2:41:26] ON HIS OWN EXPERIENCES AT THE
[2:41:29] GREENFIELD BOARD OF HEALTH.
[2:41:31] UM, HE WAS KICKED OUT OF THE
[2:41:32] MEETING.
[2:41:33] UM, AND THEY RESUMED THE
[2:41:35] MEETING AND HE HAS A CURRENT
[2:41:36] COMPLAINT WITH MCAD.
[2:41:37] FOR ACCESS.
[2:41:38] TO THAT MEETING.
[2:41:40] SO, UM, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO
[2:41:42] DEFER THE REST OF MY TIME TO
[2:41:43] THE PEOPLE IT AFFECTS.
[2:41:45] BUT, UM, THIS DOES AFFECT THE
[2:41:47] FAMILIES AND THE CAREGIVERS
[2:41:49] OF SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO ARE
[2:41:51] CURRENTLY REGAINING THEIR LIVES
[2:41:53] BECAUSE OF NATURAL KRATOM.
[2:41:56] UM, OPIOID ADDICTION HAS RUINED
[2:41:59] MANY LIVES AND I THINK THAT A
[2:42:01] GOOD USE OF MAYBE SOME OF THOSE
[2:42:02] OPIOID ABATEMENT SETTLEMENT
[2:42:06] FUNDS WOULD BE HELPFUL IN IN
[2:42:10] RESEARCHING HOW IT HELPS PEOPLE
[2:42:13] WITH THE OPIOID USE DISORDER.
[2:42:14] THANK YOU.
[2:42:16] THANK YOU STEPHANIE.
[2:42:21] HERE WE HAVE ADAM GERALD AND
[2:42:25] THEN UM AN INDIVIDUAL WHO JUST
[2:42:28] LISTED AS NEXT TESTIMONY.
[2:42:32] HI.
[2:42:33] CAN YOU HEAR ME?
[2:42:33] WE CAN HEAR YOU.
[2:42:35] GOOD AFTERNOON.
[2:42:36] MY NAME IS ADAM.
[2:42:37] I AM FROM DELAWARE.
[2:42:38] I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF ALL
[2:42:41] OF THE CONSUMERS IN
[2:42:42] MASSACHUSETTS THAT I SPEAK TO.
[2:42:43] DAILY WHO.
[2:42:44] WERE TURNED INTO CRIMINALS.
[2:42:45] OVERNIGHT AND ARE AFRAID TO
[2:42:47] SHOW THEIR FACES.
[2:42:48] I WANT TO START BY MAKING IT
[2:42:49] CLEAR THAT I DO SUPPORT THIS
[2:42:51] ORDINANCE.
[2:42:52] I SUPPORT THIS ACTION AGAINST
[2:42:54] SYNTHETIC AND SEMI-SYNTHETIC
[2:42:55] KRATOM RELATED PRODUCTS,
[2:42:57] INCLUDING THE SEVEN PRODUCTS
[2:42:59] THAT HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY
[2:43:01] COMMON IN THE MARKETPLACE.
[2:43:02] THESE PRODUCTS SHOULD NOT BE
[2:43:04] TREATED AS THOUGH THEY'RE THE
[2:43:06] SAME THING AS TRADITIONAL
[2:43:07] KRATOM LEAF.
[2:43:08] THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ITSELF
[2:43:09] IS NOW MAKING THAT DISTINCTION
[2:43:10] .
[2:43:11] THE DEA HAS ALREADY TEMPORARILY
[2:43:13] PLACED THREE KRATOM RELATED
[2:43:15] COMPOUNDS UH PSEUDO AND GM 15
[2:43:17] AND UM GM 16 IN A SCHEDULE ONE.
[2:43:19] THESE SUBSTANCES DO NOT
[2:43:21] NATURALLY OCCUR IN THE CRATE
[2:43:23] AND PLANT.
[2:43:24] FEDERAL AGENCIES ARE ALSO
[2:43:27] SEPARATELY ADDRESSING THE SEVEN
[2:43:28] PRODUCTS WHILE SPECIFICALLY
[2:43:30] STATING THAT THESE ACTIONS ARE
[2:43:31] INTENDED TO TARGET CONCENTRATED
[2:43:33] AND.
[2:43:33] SYNTHETIC SEVEN PRODUCTS NOT.
[2:43:36] THE.
[2:43:36] NATURAL CREATE A.
[2:43:37] LEAVE CONTAINING ONLY A
[2:43:38] NATURALLY OCCURRING TRACE
[2:43:39] AMOUNT OF SEVEN.
[2:43:40] THAT DISTINCTION IS VERY
[2:43:42] IMPORTANT AND IT'S ALSO
[2:43:43] PERSONAL TO ME.
[2:43:45] MY FATHER IN LAW BEGAN USING
[2:43:46] TRADITIONAL KRATOM AFTER A
[2:43:48] DOUBLE HIP REPLACEMENT.
[2:43:49] I WATCHED HIS QUALITY OF LIFE
[2:43:51] IMPROVED DRAMATICALLY.
[2:43:52] I ALSO USE KRATOM.
[2:43:53] I STRUGGLED WITH ADDICTION FOR
[2:43:55] A GOOD PORTION OF MY LIFE.
[2:43:56] I NOW HAVE OVER TEN YEARS CLEAN
[2:43:57] THANKS TO KRATOM.
[2:43:59] I WAS IN ALMOST EVERY CAR
[2:44:00] ACCIDENT AND THAT ALWAYS SET
[2:44:02] ME BACK UP TO ADDICTION BUT
[2:44:03] THANKS TO KRATOM I WAS ABLE TO
[2:44:05] AVOID IT.
[2:44:06] PEOPLE LIKE US ARE NOT ASKING
[2:44:09] MASSACHUSETTS TO IGNORE
[2:44:10] LEGITIMATE CONCERNS, PROHIBIT
[2:44:12] SYNTHETIC AND SEMI-SYNTHETIC
[2:44:13] PRODUCTS.
[2:44:14] ADDRESS THE DANGEROUS 7 OR 8
[2:44:15] PRODUCTS THAT ARE CREATING
[2:44:17] THESE CONCERNS REQUIRE TESTING
[2:44:19] ACCURATE LABELING AGE
[2:44:21] RESTRICTIONS, ACCOUNTABILITY
[2:44:22] FOR COMPANIES THAT PUT
[2:44:23] CONSUMERS AT RISK BUT PLEASE
[2:44:26] PRESERVE THE DISTINCTION
[2:44:27] BETWEEN THOSE PRODUCTS AND A
[2:44:29] TRADITIONAL BOTANICAL KRATOM.
[2:44:30] IF THAT DISTINCTION CANNOT BE
[2:44:32] WRITTEN CLEARLY OR ACCURATE
[2:44:35] ACCURATELY, IT'S A LAW QUITE
[2:44:36] YET.
[2:44:37] I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU
[2:44:38] WAIT UNTIL THE ONGOING FEDERAL
[2:44:40] PROCESS AS WELL AS A STATE
[2:44:41] PROCESS IS RESOLVED BEFORE
[2:44:43] TAKING BROADER PERMANENT ACTION
[2:44:45] .
[2:44:45] UM.
[2:44:46] THE LAST THING I WOULD LIKE
[2:44:47] TO SAY IS THAT.
[2:44:48] ALMOST ALL OF MY CHILDHOOD
[2:44:50] FRIENDS THAT I GREW UP WITH
[2:44:51] THEY'RE.
[2:44:51] ALL THEY ALL PASSED AWAY.
[2:44:53] FROM FENTANYL.
[2:44:54] .
[2:44:55] AND ONE.
[2:44:57] OF THE BIGGEST REGRETS I
[2:44:58] HAVE IN LIFE.
[2:44:59] IS NOT GETTING KRATOM TO THEM
[2:45:00] SOONER.
[2:45:00] THANK YOU.
[2:45:03] ADAM.
[2:45:06] UH, NEXT WITH GERALD.
[2:45:09] HI.
[2:45:10] CAN YOU.
[2:45:10] CAN YOU HEAR ME?
[2:45:11] WE CAN HEAR YOU.
[2:45:12] YEAH.
[2:45:13] OKAY.
[2:45:14] UM.
[2:45:14] YEAH.
[2:45:15] I MEAN, WE JUST WANT TO, UM,
[2:45:17] PROVIDE SOME.
[2:45:18] FURTHER SCIENTIFIC, UH,
[2:45:21] ELUCIDATION.
[2:45:22] UH, MOST OF THAT.
[2:45:23] SECOND PANEL HAD ALL OF THE
[2:45:24] POINTS I WANTED TO, UM, SAY I
[2:45:27] AM A.
[2:45:27] TRAINED NEURO.
[2:45:29] PHARMACOLOGIST AND THE
[2:45:35] DISTINCTION UH, SCIENTIFICALLY
[2:45:37] WITH THIS IS THAT 708 UM, THIS
[2:45:42] WAS ONE POINT I DIDN'T HEAR
[2:45:43] MENTIONED THE HUMAN BODY WILL
[2:45:46] METABOLIZE.
[2:45:47] KRATOM INTO VERY SMALL AMOUNTS
[2:45:50] OF THAT FROM THE NATURAL LEAF.
[2:45:52] BUT METABOLISM BEING WHAT IT
[2:45:55] IS, IT'S REGULATED BY ENZYMES
[2:45:57] AND IT'S A STEP BY STEP PROCESS
[2:45:59] THAT GOES CAN ONLY GO AS FAST
[2:46:01] AS IT CAN GO.
[2:46:03] AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OR
[2:46:05] ACTUALLY THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT
[2:46:07] YOU.
[2:46:07] CANNOT ACCUMULATE ENOUGH
[2:46:10] OF THAT SEVEN OH AGE IN YOUR
[2:46:13] BODY TO EVEN HAVE ACTIVITY AT
[2:46:16] NEW OPIOID RECEPTORS, OPIOID
[2:46:19] RECEPTORS, UM BY INGESTING
[2:46:22] NORMAL AMOUNTS OF WHOLE LEAF
[2:46:24] KRATOM IT'S JUST NOT SOMETHING
[2:46:25] THAT CAN HAPPEN.
[2:46:27] AND THE FACT THAT THE 708 IS
[2:46:29] BEING SYNTHESIZED ARE HIGHLY
[2:46:32] CONCENTRATED FROM THE PLANT.
[2:46:33] YES, I DO LEND MY SUPPORT TO
[2:46:37] BANNING THAT STUFF.
[2:46:39] ABSOLUTELY BECAUSE THAT IS
[2:46:41] KNOWN TO BE A VERY POTENT
[2:46:43] OPIATE OPIOID ACTUALLY.
[2:46:45] UM BUT AGAIN THAT DOES NOT
[2:46:48] REFLECT A LITTLE HAPPENED UH
[2:46:51] PHARMACOLOGICALLY THROUGH
[2:46:53] INGESTING THE WHOLE LEAF
[2:46:55] PRODUCT.
[2:46:56] AND I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT
[2:46:58] BECAUSE THE CONFUSION BETWEEN
[2:47:01] THE NATURAL LEAF PRODUCTS AND
[2:47:03] THESE SYNTHETICS AND THE FACT
[2:47:05] THAT THEY SEEM TO BE BECOMING
[2:47:08] LINKED TOGETHER IS ONE UH, IT
[2:47:11] ONE PRODUCT OR ONE ENTITY.
[2:47:14] UM, THAT IS THAT IS NOT.
[2:47:18] TO THIS.
[2:47:19] KIND OF.
[2:47:29] OH, UM THANK YOU SO MUCH,
[2:47:31] DOCTOR.
[2:47:32] UH, YOU HAVE 15 MORE SECONDS IF
[2:47:33] YOU WANT TO SUMMARIZE YOUR
[2:47:34] POINTS.
[2:47:42] OR YOU'VE YOU'VE BEEN PUT ON
[2:47:43] MUTE.
[2:47:43] WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.
[2:47:49] OKAY, UM, HEARING NOTHING, WE
[2:47:52] WILL MOVE TO THE NEXT PERSON.
[2:47:53] THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY.
[2:47:55] WE'LL GO TO UM.
[2:47:58] SORRY.
[2:47:58] NEXT TESTIMONY.
[2:48:02] OKAY.
[2:48:02] YES.
[2:48:02] GOOD AFTERNOON.
[2:48:03] CAN YOU HEAR ME?
[2:48:04] YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU.
[2:48:05] HI.
[2:48:06] GOOD AFTERNOON.
[2:48:06] MY NAME IS SHANNON AND I'M A
[2:48:07] LIFELONG RESIDENT
[2:48:08] OF MASSACHUSETTS.
[2:48:09] I'M HERE TODAY TO SHARE MY
[2:48:10] TESTIMONY REGARDING THE VITAL
[2:48:11] ROLE NATALIE KRATOM HAS PLAYED
[2:48:14] IN MY LIFE AND TO URGE YOU TO
[2:48:15] CONSIDER REGULATION.
[2:48:16] RATHER THAN.
[2:48:17] A TOTAL.
[2:48:17] BAN IN BOSTON.
[2:48:18] I AM A HEALTH CARE WORKER AS
[2:48:19] YOU KNOW SENIORS WE ARE THE
[2:48:21] BACKBONE OF THE MEDICAL FIELD.
[2:48:23] IN 2017 I SUFFERED FROM CHRONIC
[2:48:25] LOWER BACK PAIN.
[2:48:26] SO SEVERE IT LED.
[2:48:27] TO COUNTLESS E.R. AND
[2:48:28] DOCTOR'S VISITS AND MANY DAYS
[2:48:29] OUT OF WORK.
[2:48:30] FINDING NATURALLY CREATED THEM
[2:48:31] HAS BEEN A TOTAL MIRACLE FOR
[2:48:32] ME AND MANY OTHERS WHOM DEPEND
[2:48:34] ON THIS NATURAL PLANT.
[2:48:35] WE WOULD BE LEFT WITHOUT
[2:48:37] OPTIONS OR FORCED TO TURN TO.
[2:48:38] PRESCRIBE OPIOIDS NATURALLY
[2:48:40] KRATOM IS NOT AN OPIOID
[2:48:42] SYNTHETIC SEVEN WHICH IS IT'S
[2:48:43] DANGEROUS, IT'S ADDICTIVE AND
[2:48:45] SHOULD BE TOTALLY BANNED.
[2:48:46] NATURAL KRATOM IS A PLANT THAT
[2:48:48] PROVIDES PAIN RELIEF WITHOUT
[2:48:48] THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH
[2:48:50] SYNTHETICS OR OPIOIDS LIKE
[2:48:51] SEVEN A WEEK.
[2:48:53] RECENTLY OUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU
[2:48:54] KNOW RHODE ISLAND REVERSED
[2:48:55] THEIR BAN FROM THEIR 2017 BAN
[2:48:58] AND AS OF APRIL 1ST 2026 UM
[2:49:01] AFTER SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH WAS
[2:49:02] DONE, THE UN BANNED NATURAL
[2:49:03] LEAF AND KEPT THE SYNTHETIC
[2:49:05] SEVEN OVER 16 THE FDA ANNOUNCED
[2:49:07] AT THE JULY 29TH, 2025 PRESS
[2:49:09] CONFERENCE THAT THEY ARE NOT
[2:49:10] INTERESTED IN SCHEDULING
[2:49:11] NATURAL CREDIT ON LEAF BUT
[2:49:13] RATHER BANNING SYNTHETIC LIKE
[2:49:14] SEVEN A WEEK.
[2:49:15] I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE TAKE MY
[2:49:16] TESTIMONY INTO ACCOUNT AND THE
[2:49:18] MANY OTHERS WHO REACHED OUT A
[2:49:19] TOTAL BAN IN BOSTON ON NATURAL
[2:49:22] LEAVE WOULD BE DEVASTATING.
[2:49:23] TO OUR STATE.
[2:49:24] AND MOST OF ALL IT WILL
[2:49:25] AFFECT A WHOLE COUNTRY AND THE
[2:49:26] MANY INDIVIDUALS THAT RELY ON
[2:49:28] THIS NATURAL PLANT FOR THEIR
[2:49:29] QUALITY.
[2:49:29] OF LIFE.
[2:49:30] I WANT TO TELL YOU A QUICK.
[2:49:31] STORY I TOOK.
[2:49:32] ON FULLY CARING FOR MY
[2:49:33] ELDERLY MOM FOUR YEARS AGO.
[2:49:35] MARK CALLED ME ONE NIGHT I
[2:49:36] ANSWERED HI MOM SHE SAID SHE
[2:49:38] AND I NEED YOU.
[2:49:39] FROM THAT DAY ON I WAS BLESSED
[2:49:41] TO SPEND.
[2:49:43] THOSE FOUR PRECIOUS YEARS WAIT
[2:49:45] UP UNTIL MOM TOOK HER LAST
[2:49:46] BREATH A COUPLE MONTHS AGO.
[2:49:48] IF IT WASN'T.
[2:49:48] FOR NATURAL.
[2:49:49] KRATOM I WOULDN'T BE ABLE
[2:49:50] TO.
[2:49:50] CARE FOR MOM.
[2:49:51] THANK YOU CONSIDERING FOR
[2:49:53] CONSIDERING.
[2:49:53] A GOOD REGULATION ON NATURALLY
[2:49:55] .
[2:49:55] KRATOM IT BEING ALL SYNTHETICS
[2:49:57] TO.
[2:49:57] PROTECT OUR ACCESS TO NATURAL
[2:49:59] PAIN RELIEF.
[2:50:00] AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO
[2:50:01] THE ONES WHO REACHED OUT AND
[2:50:03] UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE.
[2:50:04] BETWEEN NATURAL LEAF AND THE
[2:50:05] SYNTHETICS.
[2:50:06] THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[2:50:08] THANK YOU SHANNON.
[2:50:12] UM OKAY.
[2:50:12] THE LAST TWO FOLKS THAT WE'RE
[2:50:14] GOING TO HEAR FROM ARE RYAN
[2:50:15] WHITNEY AND MELODY WOLFF.
[2:50:29] HELLO?
[2:50:29] YOU HEAR ME?
[2:50:30] WE CAN.
[2:50:31] HEAR YOU.
[2:50:32] HI.
[2:50:32] MY NAME IS RYAN WHITNEY.
[2:50:33] I ACTUALLY HAVE, UM, A CASE IN
[2:50:36] AGAINST THE GOVERNOR RIGHT NOW
[2:50:37] ON THE NATURAL BAN.
[2:50:38] I'M DOING IT PRO SE BY MYSELF
[2:50:41] HERE IN FRANKLIN COUNTY.
[2:50:42] UM, AND YOU KNOW, I REALLY
[2:50:45] WOULD JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH
[2:50:46] A SHORT TIME I COULD GIVE MY
[2:50:48] STORY.
[2:50:48] I'VE BEEN A DRUG ADDICT IS HELP
[2:50:50] WITH MY PAIN.
[2:50:50] IT HELPS WITH MY ANXIETY.
[2:50:51] I COULD GIVE THAT.
[2:50:52] BUT I REALLY LIKE FOR YOU GUYS
[2:50:54] BECAUSE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE
[2:50:55] THE LEADERS IN THIS AREA TO PUT
[2:50:57] ON YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS
[2:50:58] AND LEGISLATOR IN BOSTON THAT
[2:51:00] ARE SO CLOSE TO YOU.
[2:51:00] I'M SO FAR OUT HERE IN
[2:51:02] GREENFIELD AND I STILL MAKE THE
[2:51:03] TRIP OUT, UM, TO TRY TO TALK TO
[2:51:05] THESE PEOPLE, BUT I CAN'T GET
[2:51:06] INTO AN OFFICE AT THE
[2:51:07] STATEHOUSE AND IF I DO I'M JUST
[2:51:09] TALKING TO A STAFFER SO
[2:51:10] SOMEBODY THAT MAYBE YOU GUYS
[2:51:11] HAVE A LITTLE MORE WEIGHT, UM,
[2:51:13] AND CAN ADVOCATE FOR THIS BAN
[2:51:16] TO STOP BECAUSE I'M HAVING A
[2:51:18] VERY HARD TIME WITH THE COURT
[2:51:19] CASE MYSELF.
[2:51:19] I'M JUST A REGULAR GUY.
[2:51:21] BUT I'VE BEEN TURNED INTO A
[2:51:22] CRIMINAL NOW AND I HAVE TO GO
[2:51:25] UP AGAINST MY GOVERNOR BY
[2:51:26] MYSELF AGAINST THAT, YOU KNOW,
[2:51:28] SEASONED ATTORNEYS AND I'M JUST
[2:51:30] PUSHING FOR THE SCHEDULING TO
[2:51:33] STOP BECAUSE EVEN IN THE TIME
[2:51:35] WHEN WE'RE LOOKING TO MAKE
[2:51:36] THESE REGULATORY BOARDS AND
[2:51:37] STUFF LIKE THAT, YOU'VE HEARD
[2:51:38] FROM PEOPLE ON THIS THAT HAVE
[2:51:39] SAID THAT THEY'RE NOW
[2:51:41] CRIMINALS.
[2:51:41] IT'S PUT ME IN SO MUCH FEAR.
[2:51:43] I'VE BEEN HAVING PANIC ATTACKS
[2:51:45] .
[2:51:46] I CAN'T DRIVE IN THE CAR
[2:51:46] BECAUSE I'M SCARED IF I TRAVEL
[2:51:48] TOO FAR AND I HAVE IT IN MY CAR
[2:51:51] AND I GET PULLED OVER AND WITH
[2:51:52] MY RECORD THEY WANT TO SEARCH
[2:51:53] THE VEHICLE, THEY FIND THIS NOW
[2:51:55] I'M IN A LEGAL SITUATION.
[2:51:56] I HAVE A RECORD LIKE THERE'S A
[2:51:58] LOT OF HARMS THAT COME WITH
[2:51:59] JUST NOT EVEN FROM THE SIMPLE
[2:52:01] FACT OF NOT HAVING THE
[2:52:03] SUBSTANCE MEDICALLY AND
[2:52:04] PHYSICALLY HOW I NEED IT BUT
[2:52:06] JUST A FEAR OF ACTUALLY HAVING
[2:52:08] IT.
[2:52:10] AND IF YOU GUYS COULD PUSH TO A
[2:52:12] FEW LEGISLATORS RIGHT THERE
[2:52:13] NEXT DOOR TO YOU GUYS I'VE BEEN
[2:52:15] TO BOTH YOU GUYS THIS PLACE IS
[2:52:16] OUT THERE YOU'RE JUST NOT THAT
[2:52:17] CLOSE TO AND IF YOU HAVE ANY
[2:52:18] CONNECTIONS WITH THEM I
[2:52:20] STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU AND I
[2:52:22] BEG OF YOU TO, YOU KNOW, TALK
[2:52:25] TO THE GOVERNOR AND TALK TO
[2:52:26] THESE PEOPLE AND ASK THAT UM,
[2:52:28] THEY JUST STOP THE SCHEDULING
[2:52:29] BECAUSE SHE CAN DO ANYTHING.
[2:52:31] THE GOVERNOR CAN DO ANYTHING
[2:52:32] WITH THIS AND SHE CAN AT LEAST
[2:52:34] STOP PEOPLE FROM BEING
[2:52:35] CRIMINALS RIGHT NOW.
[2:52:36] AND I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU
[2:52:37] GUYS COULD DO THAT AND THANK
[2:52:38] YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
[2:52:40] THANK YOU.
[2:52:42] OKAY.
[2:52:43] UH, LAST BUT NOT LEAST WE HAVE
[2:52:46] MELODY.
[2:52:48] HEY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[2:52:49] FOR HAVING ME.
[2:52:50] UM, I'M A CHRONIC PAIN PATIENT.
[2:52:52] AND HAVE BEEN ONE FOR ABOUT
[2:52:54] OVER 20 YEARS.
[2:52:55] THERE ARE 75 MILLION OF US IN
[2:52:57] THE UNITED STATES.
[2:52:59] AND, UM, I SPENT EIGHT OF THOSE
[2:53:01] YEARS WITH A WALKER AND I'M A
[2:53:04] WHEELCHAIR.
[2:53:05] AND I KEEP HEARING THE WORDS
[2:53:07] CAN I.
[2:53:08] TEMPORARY BAN?
[2:53:11] I REMEMBER BEING IN PAIN.
[2:53:12] SO BADLY THAT I WANTED TO DIE
[2:53:15] LITERALLY I WANTED TO DIE.
[2:53:17] UM, AND IT HAPPENED MORE THAN
[2:53:19] ONCE.
[2:53:20] IT A TEMPORARY BAN TO A CHRONIC
[2:53:23] PAIN.
[2:53:24] PATIENT THAT IS BEDRIDDEN.
[2:53:25] IT'S NOT TEMPORARY.
[2:53:29] IT'S A LIFE.
[2:53:30] IT'S HOPE.
[2:53:31] IT'S A LIFETIME.
[2:53:33] THERE ARE CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS
[2:53:36] THAT ARE IN THAT RIGHT NOW IN
[2:53:38] YOUR STATE BECAUSE.
[2:53:42] THEY CAN'T GET FREEDOM FOR FOR
[2:53:45] NO OTHER REASON.
[2:53:47] AND THEN I.
[2:53:48] HEARD TONIGHT ABOUT A SALES VAN
[2:53:51] A SALES VAN OFTEN HURTS, YOU
[2:53:54] KNOW, THE MOST.
[2:53:55] VULNERABLE AMONG.
[2:53:57] US UM SOME OF WHOM DON'T HAVE
[2:53:58] AN ADDRESS.
[2:53:59] WE DON'T HAVE.
[2:54:00] A DEVICE TO WHERE THEY CAN, UM.
[2:54:03] SEND A PAYMENT.
[2:54:04] THEY DON'T HAVE A BANK.
[2:54:08] SO EVEN A SALES VAN.
[2:54:10] WOULD BE TERRIBLE.
[2:54:12] UM, THERE'S A SECOND.
[2:54:14] THERE'S OTHER OPIOID CRISIS AND
[2:54:15] NOBODY'S TALKING A LOT ABOUT WE
[2:54:18] TALK ABOUT THE.
[2:54:18] LIVES THAT WERE.
[2:54:20] LOST OF.
[2:54:21] THOSE AND THAT WILL BE OUR
[2:54:22] CRISIS AND WE SHOULD.
[2:54:24] NOBODY'S TALKING.
[2:54:25] ABOUT THE LIVES.
[2:54:27] AND THE.
[2:54:27] ENTIRE FAMILIES.
[2:54:29] BEING LOST TO UNDERTREATED.
[2:54:32] CHRONIC PAIN.
[2:54:33] AND KRATOM IS A LIFELINE OUT.
[2:54:37] OF THAT.
[2:54:38] SO PLEASE, AS THE GENTLEMAN
[2:54:40] BEFORE ME SAID PLEASE TALK.
[2:54:42] TO THE GOVERNOR.
[2:54:44] I PROMISE YOU.
[2:54:45] A YEAR IS NOT A YEAR TO A
[2:54:47] CHRONIC PAIN PATIENT.
[2:54:48] IT'S INSUFFERABLE.
[2:54:51] TORTURE AND I HAVE LIVED IT SO
[2:54:54] FOR EIGHT YEARS.
[2:54:55] I LIVE THAT WAY.
[2:54:57] AND I DON'T WANT ANY OF YOUR
[2:54:59] RESIDENTS SUFFERING LIKE I DID.
[2:55:02] SO THANK YOU.
[2:55:03] SO MUCH FOR HAVING
[2:55:04] ME TONIGHT.
[2:55:05] THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY,
[2:55:07] MELODY.
[2:55:07] UM, WE HAVE JENNIFER GILLIS
[2:55:08] THAT JUST CAME BACK IN.
[2:55:09] SO WE'LL END WITH JENNIFER.
[2:55:25] BUT THANK YOU.
[2:55:26] SO MUCH.
[2:55:27] FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.
[2:55:28] I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A LOT
[2:55:30] OF COMMENTS.
[2:55:30] I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE UP TOO
[2:55:31] MUCH TIME.
[2:55:32] UM.
[2:55:33] I KNOW THERE'S BEEN SOME
[2:55:34] WONDERFUL.
[2:55:35] STORIES THAT YOU'VE HEARD.
[2:55:36] AND TO BE HONEST.
[2:55:37] I THINK MR BRADSHAW, MR HADDOW
[2:55:39] AND MR LOW DID AN OUTSTANDING
[2:55:41] JOB.
[2:55:41] I LITERALLY COULDN'T LET ANY
[2:55:42] OF THAT BETTER MYSELF.
[2:55:43] PUBLIC SPEAKING REALLY ISN'T
[2:55:45] STRONG POINT ANYWAY.
[2:55:47] UM.
[2:55:48] I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT MYSELF
[2:55:49] AND SO MANY RELY ON FREEDOM FOR
[2:55:51] A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE AND
[2:55:53] AFTER LIVING WITH CHRONIC PAIN
[2:55:55] FOR 20 YEARS IS THE ONLY THING
[2:55:56] I CAN SAY THAT TRULY HAS GIVEN
[2:55:59] ME A BETTER LIFE THAN WHAT I
[2:56:00] WAS LIVING BEFORE I FOUND IT.
[2:56:02] SINCE THESE.
[2:56:03] SEVEN PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN THROWN
[2:56:04] INTO THE MARKET IT'S DONE
[2:56:05] NOTHING BUT CAUSED MASS
[2:56:06] CONFUSION.
[2:56:07] NOT.
[2:56:07] WITH JUST CONSUMERS BUT WITH
[2:56:08] LAWMAKERS.
[2:56:09] AND WHEN.
[2:56:10] THESE CRYING ON BANS HAPPEN
[2:56:11] ,IT ONLY HURTS THESE PEOPLE
[2:56:13] BECAUSE WE'RE ALL LEFT TO
[2:56:14] SUFFER WITH NO OTHER PAIN
[2:56:16] MANAGEMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE AT
[2:56:17] THE FAULT OF THE 708 INDUSTRY
[2:56:20] BEING DISRUPTED IN THE WAY THAT
[2:56:22] THEY HAVE.
[2:56:22] I'VE ALSO ATTENDED ABOUT 50
[2:56:25] MASSACHUSETTS LOCALITY HEARINGS
[2:56:27] IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS OR SO
[2:56:28] AND TIME AND TIME AGAIN THEY
[2:56:30] DECIDED ON A FULL BAN BECAUSE
[2:56:32] THEY FEEL LIKE THEY JUST DON'T
[2:56:33] HAVE THE RESOURCES AND THEY'RE
[2:56:36] WAITING FOR THE STATE TO TAKE
[2:56:38] ACTION.
[2:56:39] UM, SO FOR RIGHT NOW THE FULL
[2:56:41] BAN IS HOW THEY VOTE IT.
[2:56:42] THAT BEING SAID, GETTING RID
[2:56:44] OF 708 PRODUCTS IS ABSOLUTELY
[2:56:46] GOING TO PROTECT NOT JUST THE
[2:56:47] CHILDREN BUT EVEN THE
[2:56:48] RESPONSIBLE ADULTS 21 AND UP
[2:56:50] FROM GETTING DUPED INTO THESE
[2:56:51] PRODUCTS UNDER THE GUISE
[2:56:53] OF BEING PREYED ON PRODUCTS.
[2:56:54] SO I APPLAUD YOU AND YOUR
[2:56:56] EFFORTS TO MAKE SURE 70708
[2:56:58] PRODUCTS GET OFF THE SHELF AND
[2:57:00] STAY OFF THE SHELF IN
[2:57:01] MASSACHUSETTS.
[2:57:01] THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[2:57:04] THANK YOU SO MUCH, JENNIFER.
[2:57:05] UM, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY
[2:57:06] FOR THEIR TESTIMONY THAT'S BEEN
[2:57:08] ROOTED IN LIVED EXPERIENCE.
[2:57:09] UM, AND THAT HELPS CREATE
[2:57:10] BETTER POLICY AT THE END OF THE
[2:57:11] DAY.
[2:57:12] SO I APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S
[2:57:13] TIME.
[2:57:14] UM, COUNCILOR FITZGERALD HAS
[2:57:16] WAIVED HIS CLOSING REMARKS.
[2:57:19] UH, RIGHT.
[2:57:20] SO WE'RE GOING TO, UM, CLOSE
[2:57:22] THIS OUT, BUT I WILL JUST, UM,
[2:57:24] OUTLINE MAYBE NEXT STEPS WILL
[2:57:26] DEFINITELY WORK IN SESSION.
[2:57:27] UM, I STILL AM IN THE MINDSET
[2:57:30] THAT WE DO A CONTINGENT
[2:57:31] FRAMEWORK.
[2:57:31] UM, SHOULD THE STATE, UH, MOVE
[2:57:36] FORWARD WITH REGS OR THE
[2:57:38] LAWSUIT IS RESOLVED?
[2:57:40] UM, I THINK THERE'S STILL SOME
[2:57:41] WORK TO DO BUT THERE'S A LOT
[2:57:42] OF GOOD HERE AND UM, I DO WANT
[2:57:45] TO INTEGRATE SOME OF THE VOICES
[2:57:46] THAT WE'VE HEARD TOO FROM FOLKS
[2:57:47] THAT, UH, ARE TRYING TO BE
[2:57:48] AGREED ON.
[2:57:49] UM, AND DEFINITELY JUST TO SEE
[2:57:51] WHAT WHAT WE CAN DO BUT UM,
[2:57:54] WITH THAT I'LL WRAP AND JUST
[2:57:56] SAY THAT DOCKET UH OR THIS
[2:57:59] HEARING ON DOCKET 1414 IS
[2:58:01] ADJOURNED.
[2:58:02] THANK YOU EVERYBODY.