Latest news with #GKC
Associated Press
16-07-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Global Kratom Coalition Applauds FDA Crackdown on 7-Hydroxymitragynine Products
FDA action draws sharp distinction between natural kratom leaf and dangerous synthetic 7-OH products fueling the gas station heroin crisis The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) today applauded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for issuing warning letters to firms marketing '7,' a potent and dangerous novel product that is being illegally sold across the country. (See FDA press release here ). This decisive action by the FDA draws a much-needed line between responsibly used, traditionally consumed kratom leaf and the synthetic or highly concentrated products, like 7, that pose a clear threat to public health. 'The FDA's move is a critical step in protecting consumers,' said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. 'We have long warned that products like 7 are driving harm and putting lives at risk. The FDA's action sends a clear message: these dangerous products have no place in the marketplace.' While 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is a naturally occurring alkaloid in kratom leaf, it is present only in trace amounts in its natural state. The products targeted by the FDA are chemically manipulated to contain dangerously high levels of semi-synthetic 7-OH, significantly increasing the potential for harm. These products have been linked to serious adverse events and are highly addictive. The Global Kratom Coalition supports rigorous enforcement against these deceptive and harmful products and urges lawmakers and regulators to distinguish clearly between natural kratom and synthetic or adulterated substances. 'The future of kratom depends on responsible regulation,' Lowe added. 'We commend the FDA for taking action today and urge continued vigilance in order to protect consumers.' About Global Kratom Coalition The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit Media Contact Patrick George +1 916-202-1982 [email protected] ### SOURCE: Global Kratom Coalition Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
Scoop
31-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
GKC Delivers Essential Building Materials To Ghatere Health Clinic Improvement
Press Release – Solomon Islands MRD The support was made possible under the national governments Constituency Development Funds (CDF) programme with funding from the GKC budget allocation for 2024. The Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency (GKC) Office last week (May 23) delivered timely support worth more than $20,000 in essential building materials to Ghatere Clinic on Kolombangara Island, Western Province. The assistance which falls under the essential services was part of the constituency's ongoing commitment and resolute action under the leadership of Honourable Member of Parliament (MP), Jimson Tanangada, to improve healthcare services to communities within the constituency. The support was made possible under the national government's Constituency Development Funds (CDF) programme with funding from the GKC budget allocation for 2024. The hardware materials will support the Ghatere community's ongoing efforts to improve the clinic's infrastructure. Speaking during the handover ceremony, Chairman of the Ghatere Clinic, Martin Pahu, expressed profound gratitude to the GKC Office under the leadership of Honourable Jimson Tanangada for the generous support. 'Today's handover marks a pivotal moment for us, the community here. 'This initiative is a critical response to our pressing needs, especially for our people and local communities who rely on the clinic for health services,' Mr. Pahu stressed. Ghatere Clinic's catchment area extends from Kuzi to Vavanga communities in Central Kolombangara Island. Mr. Pahu said that the support demonstrates the commitment of a leader who recognizes the health needs of his people. 'We are immensely thankful to Hon. Tanangada for recognizing and acting upon our request to improve the state of our clinic. This generous support in the form of building materials is a testament to his dedication to delivering much-needed government services through initiatives aimed at addressing the healthcare needs of the Kolombangara island populace,' Chairman Pahu underscored. Meanwhile, Constituency Development Officer (CDO), Alphonsus Wale, acknowledged the proactive efforts of the clinic committee in revitalizing the facility. 'I want to commend the clinic committee for their initiative to breathe new life into Ghatere Health Clinic. We at GKC are committed to supporting your vision for better healthcare here in Kolombangara,' Mr. Wale assured the attendees. He also thanked the constituents, communities, and leaders of Gizo-Kolombangara for their unwavering support and collaboration with their Member of Parliament and the constituency office. The handing over of materials was witnessed by the clinic committee members and the general public. The Ghatere Health Clinic has long been a lifeline for the surrounding communities, and the recent donations are intended to bolster its infrastructure, ensuring it can continue to provide essential medical care to those in need. 'As the Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency continues to make strides in healthcare development, the handover of building materials serves as a reminder of the importance of collaborative initiatives that prioritize the health and welfare of the community. 'Together, with continued support and dedication, there is hope for a healthier future for all,' CDO Wale emphasized.
Scoop
31-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
GKC Delivers Essential Building Materials To Ghatere Health Clinic Improvement
The Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency (GKC) Office last week (May 23) delivered timely support worth more than $20,000 in essential building materials to Ghatere Clinic on Kolombangara Island, Western Province. The assistance which falls under the essential services was part of the constituency's ongoing commitment and resolute action under the leadership of Honourable Member of Parliament (MP), Jimson Tanangada, to improve healthcare services to communities within the constituency. The support was made possible under the national government's Constituency Development Funds (CDF) programme with funding from the GKC budget allocation for 2024. The hardware materials will support the Ghatere community's ongoing efforts to improve the clinic's infrastructure. Speaking during the handover ceremony, Chairman of the Ghatere Clinic, Martin Pahu, expressed profound gratitude to the GKC Office under the leadership of Honourable Jimson Tanangada for the generous support. 'Today's handover marks a pivotal moment for us, the community here. 'This initiative is a critical response to our pressing needs, especially for our people and local communities who rely on the clinic for health services,' Mr. Pahu stressed. Ghatere Clinic's catchment area extends from Kuzi to Vavanga communities in Central Kolombangara Island. Mr. Pahu said that the support demonstrates the commitment of a leader who recognizes the health needs of his people. 'We are immensely thankful to Hon. Tanangada for recognizing and acting upon our request to improve the state of our clinic. This generous support in the form of building materials is a testament to his dedication to delivering much-needed government services through initiatives aimed at addressing the healthcare needs of the Kolombangara island populace,' Chairman Pahu underscored. Meanwhile, Constituency Development Officer (CDO), Alphonsus Wale, acknowledged the proactive efforts of the clinic committee in revitalizing the facility. 'I want to commend the clinic committee for their initiative to breathe new life into Ghatere Health Clinic. We at GKC are committed to supporting your vision for better healthcare here in Kolombangara,' Mr. Wale assured the attendees. He also thanked the constituents, communities, and leaders of Gizo-Kolombangara for their unwavering support and collaboration with their Member of Parliament and the constituency office. The handing over of materials was witnessed by the clinic committee members and the general public. The Ghatere Health Clinic has long been a lifeline for the surrounding communities, and the recent donations are intended to bolster its infrastructure, ensuring it can continue to provide essential medical care to those in need. 'As the Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency continues to make strides in healthcare development, the handover of building materials serves as a reminder of the importance of collaborative initiatives that prioritize the health and welfare of the community. 'Together, with continued support and dedication, there is hope for a healthier future for all,' CDO Wale emphasized.
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Nebraska Passes Kratom Consumer Protection Act, Setting a State Standard for Kratom Regulation
LOS ANGELES, CA, May 19, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) applauds the Nebraska Legislature for the successful passage of Legislative Bill 230, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, introduced by State Senator Bob Hallstrom (District 1, Syracuse, NE). This critical legislation establishes common-sense regulations that enhances consumer safety and promotes the responsible manufacturing, marketing, and sale of kratom products in Nebraska. GKC has been actively engaged with Nebraska lawmakers since early 2024, advocating for evidence-based standards that preserve access to natural kratom while shielding the public from dangerous synthetic products that falsely claim to be kratom. LB 230 includes robust protections for consumers, such as prohibiting the marketing of kratom products to children, banning sales to individuals under 21 years old, and requiring product labeling that discourages use by pregnant or breastfeeding women. 'The Nebraska legislature should be commended for leading the way in creating common sense regulations for kratom, keeping it safe and accessible for consumers,' said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. 'Nebraska lawmakers have created a model for other states to pursue by including provisions in the legislation with some real teeth.' One of the most impactful provisions of the bill restricts the level of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH) in kratom products to no more than 2% of the total alkaloid composition. This critical safeguard eliminates the threat posed by highly concentrated 7OH synthetic products — commonly referred to as '7'— which have been proliferating across the country. Unlike natural-leaf kratom, these synthetically altered products contain eight unknown compounds and levels of 7OH up to 100 times higher than naturally occurring kratom. These untested products lack scientific backing for claims of treating chronic pain and opioid use disorder. Despite mounting scientific consensus and public health concern, groups like the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) have actively sought to undermine the bill or strip out key consumer protections. HART continues to promote synthetic '7' products without offering credible data, directly contradicting the views of leading U.S. kratom researchers who assert that '7' products should not be considered kratom. During a press event in October 2024, HART panelists advocated for regulating 7OH products as though they were natural kratom, making unapproved drug claims without FDA authorization. 'When organizations like HART are advocating for products that are unapproved drugs that have not gone through the FDA approval process,' said Lowe. 'Without FDA approval, selling those products is unlawful and puts consumers at risk.' Since the introduction of LB 230 on January 14, 2025, GKC has worked closely with stakeholders to ensure the legislation balances access to safe, natural kratom with strong protections against dangerous synthetic alternatives. 'Our goal has always been to support legislation that empowers consumers to make informed choices and preserves access to responsibly manufactured kratom products,' said Lowe. 'With the passage of Nebraska's Kratom Consumer Protection Act, we've made a significant leap toward that vision.' The Global Kratom Coalition thanks the Nebraska Legislature for standing up for consumer safety and urges other states to follow Nebraska's lead by adopting meaningful, science-based kratom regulation. About Global Kratom Coalition The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit Media Contact Patrick George +1 916-202-1982 [email protected] ### SOURCE: Global Kratom Coalition Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
Associated Press
13-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Global Kratom Coalition Supports Nebraska's Kratom Consumer Protection Act (LB 230)
GKC celebrates the closing of loopholes to protect consumers from dangerous 7-hydroxymitragynine products mislabeled as kratom LOS ANGELES, CA, March 12, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) has been working with the Nebraska legislature since early 2024 in support of Nebraska's Legislative Bill 230, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, introduced by State Senator Bob Hallstrom (District 1, Lincoln-NE). This proposed legislation aims to establish common-sense regulations that will enhance consumer safety and promote responsible manufacturing, marketing, and sale of kratom products in Nebraska. Among the bill's key provisions are measures designed to protect consumers, including prohibiting the marketing of kratom products designed to appeal to children, prohibiting the sale of kratom products to individuals under 21 years of age, and requiring product labeling that discourages use by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. One of the most important regulations in LB 230 ensures that any level of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH) does not exceed 2% of the overall alkaloid composition of the product. This safeguard effectively eliminates the risk associated with synthesized high-potency isolate 7OH products (known as '7') that are proliferating across the state. Unlike natural-leaf kratom products, synthesized products like '7' contain eight unknown compounds and 100 times more 7OH than true kratom products. These new, untested products have no scientific data to support their use. They are being marketed as a cure for the opioid crisis when in fact they are fueling their own addiction and health crises through their unfettered access across the nation. Organizations such as the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) are attempting to either kill kratom regulations bills or strike out core consumer safety provisions that protect consumers from these dangerous synthetic products. They have no data to support their position and contradict opinions expressed by the leading kratom scientists in the US who say '7" products should not be considered kratom. Proponents of '7" are not making factual or credible claims about the safety and efficacy of these products. HART's aim to promote '7" products comes at the risk of consumers. During a press event held by HART in October 2024, panel members advocated for the regulation of 7OH products as if they were natural kratom, making unapproved new drug claims. 'When organizations like HART make unapproved claims that 7OH products are intended for pain relief or opioid use disorder, they are promoting these products as drugs as defined by the FDA,' said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. 'Without prior FDA approval, such products are unlawful to sell.' The Global Kratom Coalition has been actively involved in encouraging the development of LB 230 since its introduction on January 14, 2025, working alongside stakeholders to ensure that consumers have access to safe, natural kratom products and are protected from dangerous synthesized alternatives. 'Our goal is to support legislation that empowers consumers to make informed decisions while maintaining continued access to responsibly manufactured kratom products,' Lowe added. 'Nebraska's Kratom Consumer Protection Act is a significant step forward in achieving those goals.' The Global Kratom Coalition urges lawmakers and stakeholders to support LB 230 and reject any attempts to weaken the bill's vital protections for consumers. About the Global Kratom Coalition The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit Patrick George
