Tag: #CivicLeaf #ConsumerFreedom #ProtectTheLeaf #KratomEducation #PlantNotPill #NaturalHealing

Today is July 4th—America’s birthday. Fireworks, parades, speeches, flags. We sing songs about liberty, we quote the Founders, we raise a toast to the idea that this country was built on freedom.

But how much freedom do we really have?

You can’t talk about liberty without talking about autonomy. Not just political autonomy, but bodily autonomy. That’s supposed to be sacred in a free nation. The right to live your life, to make decisions about your own body, your own health, and your own future—without needing permission from some bureaucrat or politician.

But the truth is, that kind of freedom is under siege.

Look at what’s happening across the country with Kratom. Or CBD. Or any plant that dares to give people relief outside of a prescription bottle.

These aren’t dangerous street drugs. They’re not synthetic lab poisons. These are natural tools—gifts, some would say—that have helped millions of Americans manage pain, anxiety, withdrawal, and more. And yet, states and federal agencies are trying to ban them. Regulate them into oblivion. Punish people for making their own choices.

All while opioid manufacturers walk away from one of the deadliest drug epidemics in human history with fines that barely scratch their profits.

You want to talk about freedom? Let’s talk about that.

Let’s talk about veterans who fought for this country only to come home and be told that the only legal pain relief they’re allowed is highly addictive, highly profitable, and often ineffective. Let’s talk about mothers with chronic conditions who find peace in a plant—only to have it taken away by a statehouse full of people who don’t even understand how it works.

Let’s talk about the word independence, and how it rings hollow if it doesn’t include independence of the mind, body, and spirit.

Kratom isn’t just a leaf. CBD isn’t just an oil. These are lifelines. And the people who rely on them aren’t criminals—they’re human beings exercising the most basic kind of liberty: the right to feel better, without asking for permission.

But somehow, that’s become a radical act.

So today, while we’re told to be grateful for our freedom, some of us are wondering: Freedom for who? And freedom to do what, exactly? Because it seems like every time a natural solution gains popularity—every time the people take health into their own hands—there’s a new push to outlaw it.

Maybe the truth is, freedom has always been conditional.

Conditional on money. On lobbyists. On politics. On which industries get protected and which ones get crushed.

But we’re not giving up. Because we believe that true liberty means something more than slogans on T-shirts and fireworks in the sky. It means something personal. Something human. It means standing up when the government tells you that your health doesn’t belong to you anymore.

Today, we don’t just celebrate independence—we demand it. For every person who has been helped by the leaf. For every family who found hope in a bottle of CBD. For every soul who decided that healing shouldn’t come with handcuffs.

This is our revolution. Quiet, maybe—but growing louder every day.

And we won’t stop until freedom means what it was always supposed to mean:

The right to choose what you put in your body.
The right to manage your own pain.
The right to thrive—without fear.

Because if that’s not worth fighting for, what is?

In recent years, a troubling trend has emerged across the United States: the systematic dismantling of access to natural plant-based alternatives like kratom and hemp-derived cannabinoids.  This movement, often justified under the guise of public safety, appears to be significantly influenced by substantial campaign contributions from pharmaceutical and related industries.  These industries have a vested interest in suppressing non-patentable, natural remedies that could compete with their products.


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The Louisiana Kratom Ban: A Case Study in Influence

In May 2025, Louisiana’s legislature passed Senate Bill 154, effectively banning kratom statewide.  This decision directly impacts over 325,000 residents who use kratom for pain management, mental health support, and as an alternative to opioids.  Senator Jay Morris, the bill’s sponsor, received over $10,000 in campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies, private rehab centers, and health industry lobbyists during the same period the bill was introduced and advanced  .

Critics argue that this financial backing from industries that stand to benefit from kratom’s prohibition raises questions about the motivations behind the legislation.  The American Kratom Association (AKA) has urged Governor Jeff Landry to veto the bill, emphasizing that many Louisianans rely on kratom as a safer alternative to opioids  .


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Texas: The Battle Over Hemp-Derived THC

Texas is on the brink of enacting Senate Bill 3, which would ban all consumable hemp-derived THC products, including those containing delta-8 and delta-9 THC.  This legislation threatens to dismantle a burgeoning $8 billion industry that supports approximately 50,000 jobs across the state  .

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, a staunch advocate for the bill, has faced scrutiny over substantial campaign contributions from the alcohol industry.  Public records reveal that Patrick received a $250,000 contribution from John Nau, CEO of Silver Eagle Distributors, a major Anheuser-Busch beer distributor, and an additional $25,000 from the Beer Alliance of Texas PAC  .

Critics argue that these contributions suggest a conflict of interest, as the ban could eliminate competition for the alcohol industry.  Moreover, the bill’s opponents, including veterans and small business owners, contend that the legislation disregards the therapeutic benefits of hemp-derived products and the economic impact on local communities  .


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Alabama’s Restrictive Hemp Legislation

In May 2025, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed House Bill 445 into law, imposing strict regulations on hemp-derived products.  The law bans smokable hemp, limits THC content in edibles to 10 milligrams per serving, and imposes licensing requirements and excise taxes on retailers  .

While the bill’s proponents claim it aims to protect public health, opponents argue that it disproportionately affects small businesses and consumers seeking natural alternatives for health and wellness.  The legislation’s broad definitions and stringent restrictions have led to confusion and concern among industry stakeholders  .


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The Broader Implications

These legislative actions in Louisiana, Texas, and Alabama reflect a broader pattern of policy decisions that favor pharmaceutical and related industries at the expense of consumer choice and public health.  The financial influence of these industries on lawmakers raises concerns about the integrity of the legislative process and the prioritization of corporate interests over individual freedoms.

Natural alternatives like kratom and hemp-derived cannabinoids offer potential benefits for individuals seeking non-addictive options for pain management and mental health support.  The suppression of these alternatives through legislation influenced by industry contributions undermines public trust and limits access to potentially life-saving remedies.


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Taking a Stand

To counteract this trend, it is imperative to advocate for transparency in campaign financing and to support legislation that prioritizes public health over corporate profits.  Engaging in grassroots activism, contacting elected officials, and supporting organizations that promote natural alternatives can help ensure that policy decisions reflect the will and well-being of the people.

The fight for access to natural remedies like kratom and hemp-derived products is not just about individual choice; it’s about challenging a system that allows financial influence to dictate public policy.  By standing together and demanding accountability, we can work towards a more equitable and health-conscious society.

On May 27, 2025, the Louisiana House of Representatives voted 86–6 to pass Senate Bill 154, following earlier Senate approval. The bill now awaits Governor Jeff Landry’s signature. If signed into law, this legislation will criminalize the possession and sale of kratom across the state, making Louisiana the latest front in a growing war against bodily autonomy and herbal freedom.

Kratom, a natural plant in the coffee family, has been used for centuries for pain relief, energy, and mental wellness. For millions of Americans, including veterans, chronic pain sufferers, and individuals recovering from opioid addiction, it has been a lifeline. But in Louisiana, lawmakers have chosen fear over facts, hysteria over harm reduction, and criminalization over compassion.

The Details of the Ban

SB 154, if enacted, will:

Make possession of more than 14 grams of kratom punishable by up to 5 years in prison, with or without hard labor.

Impose a fine of up to $500 for possession under 14 grams.

Ban all forms of kratom, including capsules, teas, powders, extracts, and beverages.


Let’s be clear: this is not regulation. This is prohibition. And prohibition always brings unintended consequences—unregulated black markets, criminal penalties for peaceful behavior, and pain for families who rely on a legal, natural alternative to pharmaceuticals.

A Choice Between Science and Politics

What makes this move even more galling is that Louisiana had another option. House Bill 253, the Louisiana Kratom Consumer Protection Act, would have established safeguards like:

Mandatory lab testing for adulterants and heavy metals

Age restrictions (21+ only)

Accurate labeling and dosage information


That bill had the support of consumer advocates, healthcare professionals, and small business owners. But instead of bringing kratom under reasonable regulation, lawmakers killed HB 253 in committee. They chose punishment over policy. And the people of Louisiana will suffer for it.

Manufactured Panic

Let’s talk about what this ban is really based on: propaganda. Instead of listening to scientists, public health researchers, or the thousands of Louisianans who wrote in support of regulation, legislators were swayed by sensationalist headlines and dubious anecdotes. The kind of stories that get more clicks than peer-reviewed science.

They ignored:

The 2022 HHS letter stating kratom does not meet criteria for federal scheduling

Over a dozen peer-reviewed studies showing kratom’s low addiction potential

Data from other states where regulation, not prohibition, has been successful


Instead, they latched onto moral panic—the same tired formula we’ve seen with cannabis, kava, and even coffee in the early 20th century.

Who Gets Hurt?

The real-world consequences of this ban are heartbreaking:

A veteran who swapped opioids for kratom to manage PTSD and chronic pain may now face felony charges.

A single mom running a small kratom business out of Baton Rouge will lose her livelihood overnight.

Thousands of consumers who have never had a problem with kratom will be forced into dangerous, unregulated markets—or worse, return to pharmaceuticals they had left behind.


Let’s not pretend this is about public safety. It’s about control.

The Hypocrisy of “Small Government”

Republican lawmakers in Louisiana ran on platforms of freedom, limited government, and individual choice. But when given the opportunity to actually support those ideals, they caved. Instead of trusting adults to make informed decisions about their own bodies, they criminalized a leaf.

The same party that railed against mask mandates and vaccine requirements now turns around and supports criminal penalties for a tea that helps people function. The same people who screamed about overreach are now eager to send their neighbors to prison over plant matter.

It’s not principled. It’s political theater.

The Role of Advocacy Going Forward

This isn’t the end. It’s a call to arms. Here’s what needs to happen next:

1. Call Governor Landry: Demand a veto of SB 154. He still has the power to reject this disastrous legislation.

(225) 342-0991 or toll-free at (844) 860-1413


2. Organize in Your Communities: Let local officials know that banning kratom is not a winning issue.


3. Support Legal Challenges: If this becomes law, lawsuits may be the next line of defense.


4. Support Vendors Who Act Responsibly: Continue buying from companies that lab test, label clearly, and prioritize consumer safety.


5. Educate Relentlessly: The battle for kratom will be won with facts, not fear. Keep sharing your stories. Keep the pressure on.



Conclusion: Louisiana Deserves Better

This ban is a betrayal of the people it claims to protect. It criminalizes the responsible. It ignores the evidence. It undermines freedom. And it sets a dangerous precedent that other states may follow if we don’t speak up.

We cannot let this be the final word. Kratom is not the enemy. Ignorance is. And Louisiana, like every state, deserves better than laws built on lies.

Let this moment galvanize us. Let it fuel us. The Civic Leaf will not wither. It will rise.


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Stay informed. Stay active. Stay free.