2026 AKA CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING: TAKE THE KRATOM FIGHT TO WASHINGTON DC — JUNE 2-3

For years, responsible kratom consumers have been showing up — at city council meetings, state subcommittee hearings, and governors' offices — and making a difference. Now the fight is going to Washington DC. The American Kratom Association is hosting its 2026 Congressional Briefing and Legislator Office Visits on June 2-3, and this is one of the most powerful opportunities yet for natural kratom advocates to be heard at the federal level. Here's what's happening and how to get involved.

Event Details

Tuesday, June 2 — Legislator Office Visits

• Meet-up at 8:30 AM

• Advocates break into groups to visit specific Congressional offices directly

• This is your chance to stand in the halls of Congress and speak face to face with the people who shape federal kratom policy

Wednesday, June 3 — Congressional Briefing

• 11:00 AM | HVC 201, U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

• Expert panelists present the latest on kratom science, policy, and legislation directly to Congressional members, staffers, and media

• Please note: this is not a Congressional Hearing — advocates attend as supporters. No testimony or statements are required

Register: protectkratom.org/register

Questions: kic@americankratom.org

Why This Moment Matters

Natural kratom consumers have been fighting prohibition at the state and local level for years — and winning. South Dakota, Mississippi, Wyoming, and Rhode Island have all chosen regulation over prohibition. South Carolina's consumer advocates defeated a full ban attempt on the House floor. The tide is turning because real people have shown up and told their stories.

But the federal conversation is accelerating too. The FDA has drawn a clear line between natural kratom and synthetic 7-OH products, identifying enhanced 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) concentrates as the real public health concern while specifically carving out natural leaf kratom. The AHPA has similarly warned against conflating 7-OH with natural kratom. As research discussed on the Huberman Lab podcast and confirmed by an FDA study makes clear, these are fundamentally different products — and federal policy needs to reflect that.

The 2026 Congressional Briefing brings that science and those stories directly to the people with the power to set national standards. This is not a moment to sit out.

What the Briefing Covers

The Wednesday Congressional Briefing is designed to inform — not intimidate. Expert panelists will present to Congressional members, staffers, and media on:

• 7-OH action — the FDA's ongoing efforts to target synthetic and enhanced 7-OH products and why that distinction matters for natural kratom consumers

• The FDA kratom webpage — updated federal guidance that specifically differentiates natural kratom leaf from dangerous synthetic concentrates

• Federal kratom regulation — the path toward a national regulatory framework that protects consumers, holds bad actors accountable, and keeps natural kratom accessible to responsible adults

Advocates attend as supporters of this mission. No testimony is required — your presence alone sends a powerful message.

What Happens at the Legislator Office Visits

On Tuesday June 2, advocates meet at 8:30 AM before breaking into smaller groups to visit specific Congressional offices. This is where personal stories matter most. A constituent walking into a Congressional office and sharing how natural kratom has supported their wellness — their energy, their daily routine, their quality of life — is something no lobbying firm can replicate.

If you have ever wondered whether your voice matters at the federal level, this is your answer. It does. And this is how you use it.

The Bigger Picture

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act has been adopted in 18 states. A federal framework that reflects the same science-based, consumer-first approach is the logical next step — and moments like this one are how that happens. States that have chosen regulation over prohibition have shown what is possible when advocates show up. Washington DC is next.

Register today at protectkratom.org/register. For questions, email kic@americankratom.org. For the latest on kratom legality across the country, visit our kratom legality map.

This is a rare opportunity to stand in the halls of Congress for natural kratom. Don't miss it.