Christopher Deaney

To the New Hampshire House Committee, My name is Christopher Deaney, and I’ve been a daily consumer of natural kratom tea since 2015. I want to personally thank you for the direction you’re taking with SB 557. Targeting dangerous synthetic and semi-synthetic alkaloid products while leaving the natural kratom leaf alone is the right move. That’s what science supports, and it’s what responsible consumers have been asking for. This isn’t just policy for me, it’s personal. I was hit by a car at 8 years old and have dealt with long-term physical challenges ever since. Natural kratom tea has been a consistent part of my daily routine for years. It helps me stay productive and present in my everyday life. I’m not alone in that. I’ve spoken with countless people whose lives are more stable and manageable because of this plant. What’s causing confusion right now isn’t natural kratom. It’s the rise of highly concentrated, lab-altered products being marketed as “kratom” that do not reflect the traditional leaf. These products are a completely different category and should be treated as such. SB 557 gets that distinction right. I strongly encourage you to keep the bill focused and resist any amendments that would expand it into a ban on natural kratom leaf. That would impact responsible adults while doing nothing to address the real issue. You have an opportunity here to lead with clarity, protect public safety, and preserve access to a natural botanical that has been used responsibly for generations. Thank you for recognizing the difference and for protecting access to natural kratom tea. Respectfully, Christopher Deaney