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Mac Haddow, AKA senior fellow and Kratom user, shares his personal story and the ongoing battle for legal access. He exposes the FDA's biased stance and flawed data, highlighting the importance of consumer advocacy. Learn how Kratom has helped millions and how you can get involved to protect this beneficial plant.
In this week's episode of Kratom Stories, Madalyn Sklar interviews Mac Haddow, the senior fellow on public policy for the American Kratom Association (AKA), and a Kratom consumer himself. Mac shares his personal journey with Kratom, revealing how it helps manage chronic pain stemming from past injuries. His introduction to Kratom was unexpected—a vendor offered him a sample, and he experienced a calming effect with an energy boost. This personal experience, combined with seeing Kratom's positive effects on Senator Orrin Hatch (who also used Kratom for pain relief), solidified Mac's advocacy for the plant. He details his extensive experience in politics and how this led him to fight for Kratom's legal status, facing opposition—particularly from within the FDA who are seemingly intent on banning it.
Mac details the FDA's biased view of dietary supplements and how the agency's actions threatened to unjustly ban Kratom based on flawed data and the misunderstanding of the plant's benefits. He recounts the intense fight to prevent the 2016 ban, highlighting the passionate outpouring of support from Kratom consumers that ultimately swayed the DEA, and the ongoing challenges Kratom continues to face due to the FDA’s actions. He emphasizes the importance of consumer voices in advocating for the plant, particularly in the face of local bans fueled by misinformation.
Mac shares advice for new Kratom users, stressing the importance of starting with small doses to find what works best for their needs. Recent FDA research has shown that Kratom is well-tolerated at various dosages, which should be reassuring to those considering using it. He underscores that various user groups—including those seeking energy boosts, mood elevation, and pain relief—all benefit from Kratom. Mac and Madalyn end the show by encouraging listeners to get involved with the American Kratom Association to protect access to this beneficial plant, which has improved the lives of millions.
-RELATED LINKS -
American Kratom Association - website
American Kratom Association - Facebook
Letter from Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Brett Giroir
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Etha Natural Botanicals - 25% off with code: KratomStories
New Hope Botanicals - 10% off with code: KratomStories
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Please note: The views and experiences shared in this episode are personal and unique to the guest. Kratom, while featured prominently in these stories, is a botanical substance that is unregulated in the U.S. and various countries around the world. The Kratom Stories Podcast and its host, Madalyn Sklar, do not endorse, promote, or encourage the use of Kratom. We simply aim to shed light on personal experiences and narratives related to this plant. If you're considering using Kratom, we strongly urge you to seek professional medical advice, conduct thorough research, and comply with all local laws and guidelines.
Senior Fellow on Public Policy with the American Kratom Association
I enter the political world serving as the campaign manager for Orrin Hatch's first Senate campaign in 1976. I worked for Senator Hatch for a year, then worked on then Governor Ronald Reagan's campaign, and following his winning the Presidency, I served as the Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. After leaving the government, I have worked in the dietary and botanical supplement industry as a lobbyist fighting the FDA's war on natural products. In 2016, I was asked to join the kratom battle with the American Kratom Association, and have served in that role since then.
Here's a great episode to get you started featuring podcast host, Madalyn Sklar. Hear her journey about living with chronic pain and finding relief from a plant that has worked better than years of pharmaceuticals.
