Three May Milestones That Shaped the Herbal Movement

Every movement has its turning points—those moments where the arc of history bends ever so slightly toward progress. For those of us who believe in bodily autonomy and the right to choose natural paths to wellness, May has delivered more than a few of these pivotal events. In this piece, we reflect on three such milestones: the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act in 1994, the grassroots uprising against the DEA’s 2016 Kratom scheduling attempt, and Thailand’s historic decriminalization of Kratom in 2021.
1. May 1994: The DSHEA and the Battle for Access
Before the internet made herbal information widely accessible, the 1990s were a battleground for access and awareness. In May 1994, the U.S. Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), fundamentally changing the way herbs, vitamins, and supplements were regulated in America. This law placed herbal products like Kratom and Kava into the category of “dietary supplements,” sparing them from the strict pre-market approval process required for pharmaceutical drugs.
DSHEA empowered consumers and created a space for thousands of small producers to flourish. While not without its flaws, it marked the first time the federal government formally acknowledged that people had a right to access natural products without needing a doctor’s permission. For Kratom advocates, DSHEA created the legal foundation that still supports market access today.
2. May 2016: The People Push Back
In May 2016, the DEA quietly moved to place Kratom’s primary alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, into Schedule I—effectively banning the plant nationwide. The reasoning was thin, the science incomplete, and the backlash immediate.
What followed was a landmark moment for grassroots advocacy. Scientists, consumers, veterans, chronic pain patients, and parents of recovering addicts came together in unprecedented numbers. They submitted over 23,000 public comments, flooded congressional offices with calls and letters, and organized rallies across the country.
By October 2016, the DEA withdrew its notice of intent—a rare and stunning reversal. That pushback marked one of the clearest examples in modern history of people demanding the right to make their own health decisions, and actually winning.
3. May 2021: Thailand Reclaims Its Herbal Legacy
Thailand has used Kratom for centuries, but colonial-era laws and the global drug war had outlawed its use for decades. In May 2021, that changed. Thailand officially removed Kratom from its list of controlled substances, legalizing cultivation, possession, and use.
This move wasn’t just symbolic. It opened the door for regulated domestic use, scientific research, and even export. Most importantly, it recognized the legitimacy of traditional, community-based herbal knowledge. By decriminalizing Kratom, Thailand took a stand not just for cultural heritage but for modern harm reduction.
A Month of Milestones
May may not hold a federal holiday for herbal freedom—yet—but its history is already rich with examples of progress. These three moments show how change can come through legislation, resistance, and reclamation. They also remind us that the fight for herbal access is ongoing.
As we continue to face misinformation, stigma, and attempts at prohibition, it helps to remember: we’ve pushed back before. We can do it again.
Stay grounded. Stay free. And always, stay informed.
The Mitragynist is a voice for plant autonomy, people-powered health, and honest conversation. If you have a favorite moment in herbal history, let us know—we may feature it in an upcoming edition.