American Kratom Association Visits Indonesia to Secure Kratom’s Future

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Table of Contents

In August of 2023, the American Kratom Association visited Indonesia to meet with government officials to discuss the future of kratom. Whispers from Indonesia became legitimate concerns earlier this year when a conversation began about the future of kratom in the country. Rather than being reactive, the American Kratom Association decided to be proactive when it sent representatives to Indonesia to try and get ahead of any action against the plant. 

Rumors of the proposed action against kratom by the Indonesian National Narcotics Board (referred to as the BNN) made it across the Pacific in the first half of the year, prompting the trip by the AKA to meet with both federal and local officials. And while the situation is still far from a conclusion or resolution, the work by American advocates abroad could have a significant ripple effect on the global market for kratom. 

Mac Haddow, a senior fellow with the AKA, updated advocates via a YouTube video about the trip and the organization’s attempt to stabilize a crucial piece of the kratom supply chain. 

“Indonesia is critically important to maintaining a supply of pure, contaminant-free kratom raw materials,” Haddow said. “We obviously have to stop the push here in Indonesia (to ban kratom).” 

The American Kratom Association meets with chief of the Presidential Staff, Moeldoko in Jakarta to discuss the importance of maintaining a supply of pure, unadulterated kratom raw materials from Indonesia to the United States. This picture is from August  2022. Credit: American Kratom Association
The American Kratom Association meets with the chief of the Presidential Staff, Moeldoko in Jakarta to discuss the importance of maintaining a supply of pure, unadulterated kratom raw materials from Indonesia to the United States. This picture is from August 2022. Credit: American Kratom Association

Ensuring a Safe Supply Chain

The issue for both sides of the discussion is the best way to ensure that unsafe kratom does not make its way into the market both locally and abroad in markets such as the United States. To make matters worse, the AKA contends that interference from the Food and Drug Administration has tightened the market and opened opportunities for “black markets” to export kratom. 

Due to that backdrop provided by the AKA, the BNN has indicated it supports a ban on kratom. Fears of an outright ban sparked the discussion earlier this year, prompting the American organization to make the trip to discuss kratom, the state of the industry and its vision for a safe, regulated market. 

For starters, increased sanitation and modernization of the implements used during the harvesting process are part of a larger plan that the AKA thinks could significantly shift the conversation around kratom. 

“There’s no testing, there’s no validation of the quality of the material,” Haddow said. “The people of Indonesia are simply trying to find a way to economically benefit from this wonderful plant.”

In the four years since he first visited Indonesia, Haddow said he has seen the farmers embrace tweaks to the process and embrace modernized equipment. What many take for granted, at least in terms of industrialized industries in the U.S., were new concepts to the farmers and producers in Indonesia. Rather than running from regulation, Haddow said he has been encouraged by those willing to work toward industry standards. 

“The Indonesian farmers and processors are making enormous progress,” Haddow said. “Those things have changed dramatically, and it’s not perfect, and not everyone is following this, but the progress we’ve seen in those four years is magnificent.”

As part of the meetings, the AKA also met with Indonesia’s Minister of Health to discuss the potential of fighting against a proposed ban. Those meetings were characterized as positive by Haddow, who said discussions included “cooperative research” to better understand the profile and wide-ranging effects of kratom. 

Such discussions carry extra weight due to Indonesian law. In the wake of initial research conducted by Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, Haddow indicated that the BNN would now need to challenge kratom from a scientific standpoint as part of any proposed action. 

Colors of Maeng Da Kratom. A Thai farmer wearing a red shirt and hat is exploring a garden, kratom leaves, plants open to liberal trade within Indonesia

Focus on the Farmers

Rounding out the high-level meetings were discussions involving Indonesia’s Minister of Trade and the Chief of Staff for Indonesian President Joko Widodo. A direct meeting with the Minister of Trade produced positive feedback and a pledge of support–so long as the office of the president approved. The AKA had a chance to participate in a conference hosted by the president’s chief of staff, Moeldoko, and discuss the state of regulation and research in America. 

Haddow said that Moeldoko indicated he was willing to work with the AKA on modifying the FDA import alert that currently limits kratom markets. During the conference, Haddow said that Moeldoko spoke out against the BNN citing the FDA’s claims against kratom. Representatives from the BNN were told the President would use “Indonesian science and “good science” per Haddow. 

Beyond the scope of the federal government, the trip extended to local governments and the working people within their jurisdiction. Haddow attended a conference hosted by the governor of West Kalimantan province that brought together 150 farmers from remote regions.

Some even rode as far as 18 hours by bus, Haddow said, all to figure out how they could do their part in ensuring that their economic lifeline remained viable. 

“It was amazing to see their commitment, to see these humble people who are working in order to make a living, seeking to find ways they can most effectively sell their products,” Haddow said. “The Governor made it clear that he supports the effort to keep this kratom supply channel open and available.”

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