In a world where pharmaceutical companies control a multi-trillion-dollar industry, Kratom is a cheap, natural alternative that doesn’t require a prescription—and that’s exactly why it’s under attack.
Used by millions of Americans for pain relief, anxiety, and opioid withdrawal, Kratom has become a threat to pharmaceutical profits, particularly in the multi-billion-dollar opioid market. While Big Pharma and government agencies push for bans and tighter regulations, more consumers are turning to this affordable, plant-based remedy instead of costly, addictive prescriptions.
Why is there such a strong effort to demonize and restrict Kratom? The answer lies in profit, politics, and corporate control.
The Rising Popularity of Kratom
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia that has been used for centuries for pain relief, energy, and relaxation. In the U.S., Kratom has gained millions of new users in recent years, leading to a booming industry valued at over $1 billion.
Why People Use Kratom
Pain relief – Kratom interacts with opioid receptors, providing relief without the same level of addiction or respiratory depression as pharmaceutical opioids.
Opioid withdrawal – Many people use Kratom as a safer, natural alternative to opioids, helping to ease withdrawal symptoms.
Anxiety and mood support – Kratom can act as a mood enhancer, helping with stress, social anxiety, and depression.
Energy and focus – At lower doses, Kratom provides mild stimulation, similar to caffeine, making it popular among those who need focus and endurance.
A Growing Market
The Kratom industry is expanding rapidly, with sales in CBD shops, health stores, and online retailers. A 2024 industry report estimated that over 15 million Americans regularly use Kratom. Social media platforms like Reddit, TikTok, and YouTube have helped spread awareness and build a dedicated user community.
But as Kratom becomes more popular, Big Pharma sees it as a direct competitor—and that’s where the battle begins.
Why Kratom is a Threat to Big Pharma
The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most powerful and profitable sectors in the world, with revenues surpassing $1.48 trillion globally (Statista, 2023). In the United States alone, pharmaceutical sales exceeded $600 billion in 2023, driven by prescription painkillers, antidepressants, and other controlled substances.
The Opioid Industry: A Multi-Billion-Dollar Monopoly
The opioid drug market—including OxyContin, fentanyl, and hydrocodone—was valued at over $22 billion in 2021 (Market Research Future). Despite the opioid epidemic, pharmaceutical companies continue to profit from pain management drugs, even as opioid overdose deaths have skyrocketed. Purdue Pharma, the company behind OxyContin, was at the center of the opioid crisis, yet pharmaceutical corporations remain largely untouched.
How Kratom Disrupts This Billion-Dollar System
Kratom is natural, affordable, and doesn’t require a prescription.
Many people use Kratom instead of opioids, cutting into Big Pharma’s painkiller sales.
Unlike synthetic opioids, Kratom can’t be easily patented, meaning pharmaceutical companies can’t profit from it—unless they control it.
Instead of embracing Kratom as a safe alternative, the pharmaceutical industry is trying to regulate or ban it, while working on synthetic Kratom-based drugs.
The Push to Ban Kratom: Who’s Behind It?
If millions of people benefit from Kratom, why are government agencies and pharmaceutical-backed groups pushing to outlaw it? The answer is money and control.
The FDA and DEA’s Role in Anti-Kratom Efforts
In 2016, the DEA attempted to classify Kratom as a Schedule I drug (alongside heroin and LSD), but public outrage forced them to reverse the decision. The FDA has repeatedly issued warnings against Kratom, despite the World Health Organization (WHO) declining to classify it as a dangerous substance. Government agencies claim Kratom is unsafe, yet they allow highly addictive opioids and benzodiazepines to flood the market.
Who is Funding the Anti-Kratom Movement?
Pharmaceutical Companies – Big Pharma has spent millions lobbying to ban Kratom while working on synthetic Kratom-based drugs they can patent. Several pharmaceutical firms have filed patents on Kratom’s alkaloids, even while pushing for bans on the natural plant.
Anti-Drug Organizations and Law Enforcement – Some anti-Kratom lobbying groups are backed by pharmaceutical-funded organizations, using misleading overdose reports to justify bans. The CDC has reported Kratom-related deaths, but nearly all cases involved other substances, including opioids and benzodiazepines.
Politicians and Lobbyists – Some state and federal lawmakers pushing for Kratom bans have received campaign donations from pharmaceutical companies. The American Kratom Association (AKA) has been fighting against Big Pharma-backed disinformation campaigns.
The War on Natural Medicine: How Kratom is Being Restricted
As Kratom’s popularity increases, state and federal restrictions are rising.
Retail Restrictions & State Bans
Six states have completely banned Kratom, including Alabama, Indiana, Wisconsin, Vermont, Arkansas, and Rhode Island. Other states, like Tennessee and Colorado, have imposed age restrictions and labeling requirements. Some cities and counties have placed local bans on Kratom sales, even in states where it remains legal.
Federal Crackdowns on Kratom Imports
The FDA has seized Kratom shipments, making it harder for U.S. suppliers to access high-quality products. Without federal protections, Kratom remains vulnerable to future restrictions.
The Future of Kratom & What Consumers Can Do
Despite corporate and government opposition, Kratom advocates are fighting back.
Fighting for the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA)
The American Kratom Association (AKA) is working to pass state-level laws to ensure Kratom remains legal and regulated for safety. Some states, like Florida and Georgia, have passed Kratom protection laws instead of bans.
How You Can Help
Support Kratom advocacy groups fighting for fair regulation.
Contact state legislators to prevent Kratom bans.
Buy Kratom only from trusted, lab-tested sources to ensure purity and safety.
Conclusion
Kratom is a cheap, natural alternative that doesn’t require a prescription, and that’s exactly why Big Pharma and government agencies want to control it.
Instead of celebrating a plant that helps people manage pain without addiction, the pharmaceutical industry is fighting to ban it, while secretly developing synthetic Kratom drugs for profit.
The fight over Kratom isn’t just about one plant—it’s about the battle between corporate control and personal freedom in healthcare.
The question remains: Will the people win, or will Big Pharma?
References:
Statista (2023). Global pharmaceutical industry revenue from 2017 to 2023. Retrieved from www.statista.com
Fortune Business Insights (2023). U.S. pharmaceutical market size and revenue statistics. Retrieved from www.fortunebusinessinsights.com
Market Research Future (2021). Global opioid drugs market report. Retrieved from www.marketresearchfuture.com
American Kratom Association (2024). Kratom Consumer Protection Act and state-level regulations. Retrieved from www.americankratom.org
World Health Organization (2022). Kratom risk assessment report. Retrieved from www.who.int
FDA (2023). FDA import alerts and regulatory warnings on Kratom. Retrieved from www.fda.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2022). Kratom-associated deaths and toxicology reports. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov
DEA (2016). Proposed Kratom scheduling and public response. Retrieved from www.dea.gov
Forbes (2024). Kratom market growth and industry trends. Retrieved from www.forbes.com
National Institutes of Health (NIH) (2023). Studies on Kratom for pain relief and opioid withdrawal. Retrieved from www.nih.gov