The scientific consensus continues to grow: lawmakers must separate the natural botanical plant from lab-made chemical isolates.

Stanford neurobiologist Dr. Andrew Huberman recently discussed this crucial distinction, noting that traditional kratom leaf acts similarly to strong coffee or yerba mate. The real danger, he explains, lies in synthetic manipulation.

As Dr. Huberman warned, "The leaf products are very different than the isolated. The isolated are very different than the isolated synthetic products". He stressed that isolating and synthesizing these compounds leads to high addiction potential, and that this scientific distinction is exactly where legislators need to focus their attention.

We must follow the science, ban highly addictive synthetic derivatives, and protect responsible adult access to the natural leaf.