American Kratom Association (AKA): You Should Support Them

American Kratom Association (AKA): You Should Support Them

If you use kratom — whether for pain management, opioid withdrawal support, energy, or any other purpose — the American Kratom Association (AKA) is the organization most responsible for keeping it legal and accessible in the United States. Understanding what they do and why their work matters is important for every kratom user.

What Is the American Kratom Association?

The American Kratom Association is a nonprofit organization founded to protect the rights of the estimated 10–16 million kratom consumers in the United States. Their mission operates on multiple fronts simultaneously: legislative advocacy, industry regulation, public education, and scientific research support.

Founded in 2014, the AKA has become the most influential voice for kratom consumers and responsible vendors in Washington D.C. and state legislatures across the country.

The Legal Battles the AKA Has Fought and Won

The AKA's most visible work is legislative advocacy — fighting proposed bans and scheduling actions at both the federal and state level.

The 2016 DEA Emergency Scheduling Attempt

In August 2016, the DEA announced emergency action to classify kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance — the same category as heroin — which would have immediately made possession and sale a federal crime. The AKA mobilized the kratom community to submit public comments, engage Congress members, and organize public opposition. The response was unprecedented: over 23,000 public comments opposing the scheduling were submitted. The DEA withdrew its emergency scheduling notice — a rare reversal attributed directly to organized advocacy.

State-Level Battles

The AKA actively monitors and responds to state-level kratom legislation. In numerous states where kratom bans were proposed, AKA intervention — providing expert testimony, coordinating constituent outreach, and proposing regulatory alternatives — has resulted in defeated bans or significantly modified legislation.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA)

Rather than simply defending against bans, the AKA has taken a proactive legislative approach by developing the Kratom Consumer Protection Act — model legislation that regulates kratom production and sale rather than banning it. The KCPA establishes:

• Minimum age requirements (21+) for kratom purchase
• Mandatory labeling requirements including alkaloid content
• Prohibited adulterants and contaminants
• Vendor registration requirements
• Penalties for violations

The KCPA has been enacted in several states including Utah, Georgia, Arizona, and Oklahoma — establishing a regulatory framework that protects consumers while keeping kratom legally accessible.

The GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) Standards Program

The AKA developed voluntary GMP standards for kratom vendors — a program that requires participating vendors to undergo regular audits verifying their manufacturing practices, lab testing protocols, and quality control procedures. AKA-GMP certified vendors are held to standards similar to dietary supplement manufacturers, providing consumers with a meaningful quality signal when selecting a vendor.

Research and Education

The AKA funds and supports scientific research into kratom's safety profile, efficacy, and pharmacology. They also maintain extensive consumer education resources and engage directly with media to provide accurate information in an environment where kratom coverage is frequently sensationalized.

How to Support the AKA

• Become a member — Individual and family memberships are available at americankratom.org
• Donate — Direct financial contributions fund legislative and legal advocacy
• Respond to action alerts — When legislative threats emerge, the AKA sends action alerts asking members to contact their representatives
• Buy from GMP-certified vendors — Supporting vendors who have invested in AKA certification strengthens the program
• Spread awareness — Educating other kratom users about the AKA expands their advocacy reach

Why This Matters to You

Every kratom user benefits from the AKA's work — whether or not they are a member. The ability to purchase legal, regulated, quality-tested kratom today exists in large part because of AKA advocacy. Without continued support, that access is not guaranteed. The kratom community's ability to protect itself depends on organized, well-funded advocacy — and the AKA is the primary vehicle for that advocacy in the United States.

Conclusion

The American Kratom Association is not a vendor, not a lobbying group for commercial interests, and not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company. It is a consumer advocacy organization funded by members who want to protect access to a plant that has meaningfully improved their lives. If kratom matters to you, the AKA deserves your support.