In a statement released May 29, the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) warned soldiers about the “dangers of kratom”. Echoing language posted on the DEA or FDA website, the Army CID pointed out that kratom and its alkaloids are not FDA approved, and listed all possible side effects, but did not characterize them as rare or common.
Use of Kratom is punishable by the Uniform Code of Military Justice and can result in the loss of all pay and allowances, up to two years confinement, and/or a dishonorable discharge.
A link to send anonymous tips was attached to the statement, in case anyone wants to take a break from defending freedom to snitch on their fellow service members for consuming kratom.
The Army CID also incorrectly stated that “There are no products that contain Kratom or its chemical components that are legally sold on the market in the U.S.” Kratom products are legally sold in the US, but vendors cannot legally market kratom as an FDA approved drug.
The military has strict regulations regarding substance use. While kratom is legal in most of the U.S., the Department of Defense (DoD) has banned its use due to concerns about safety, dependency, and side effects. The Army, Air Force, and Navy have all issued guidance prohibiting its use, regardless of its legality in civilian life.
In 2020, Kratom Science interviewed Andy Knowles, whose career in the U.S. Navy was destroyed after his wife’s jealous ex-husband snitched on him for using kratom. Knowles discovered that kratom helped him function with depression and anxiety after having a bad experience in the military mental health system where he was prescribed pharmaceuticals that did not work for him. At the time he was busted, Knowles did not fathom that kratom had already been banned in the military.
Knowles told us:
The people at the substance abuse rehabilitation program had no clue what kratom was. The second doctor that I saw said, “It sounds like this stuff is actually working for you. It’s helping you.” I was like, “Yeah, it is. It’s helping a lot.” He said, “Well, unfortunately it’s banned.”
After he was discharged, Knowles continued to consume kratom. “I just lost a 15 year career because some ex-husband was pissed off at me, and who wouldn’t be bummed out?” he said. “But, you know, I’m having a good day today with my wife.”
Veterans who need support with mental health may find help from Forgotten Not Gone, a kratom-friendly nonprofit out of Nevada dedicated to stopping veteran suicide https://forgottennotgone.org/contact/