I am a housing attorney at the Legal Aid Justice Center. We represent low income tenants throughout Central and Northern Virginia. We support HB79. Many of our clients pay extremely high prices for very low quality housing. For example, one of our clients in Charlottesville had her apartment flooded with raw sewage. Initially, all the landlord did was put a fan in the apartment. After continued requests, and not until weeks later, the landlord fixed the carpet, but extensive damage had been done at that point. All our client's possessions were ruined and she was worried about staying in the apartment for health reasons because of visible mold. Under current Virginia landlord-tenant law, landlords have very minimal liability for poor conditions. Tenant remedies are often limited to recovering a rent abatement, which falls short in practice of remedying the harm that the tenant experienced. This bill expands the ability for tenants to recover from their landlords when they are harmed by the landlord’s negligence. For these reasons, we support the bill.

Object to all said bills and any casios developments.

Kratom being marketed as an “herbal supplement” should concern all of us — especially when it’s reaching adolescents and young adults who often assume that natural means safe. Right now it’s being sold in smoke shops, gas stations, and convenience stores with little to no real oversight or consistent regulation. That accessibility creates a dangerous false sense of security. What many people don’t see until it’s too late is how habit-forming it can become. I’m seeing more and more individuals struggle to stop — not because they lack willpower, but because their brain and body have adapted to it. When something has the potential to create dependency, education and reasonable guardrails matter. As a peer recovery specialist and life coach working closely with families and young adults, I’m seeing this trend firsthand — and we need to stop hiding behind the word “supplement” and start talking about responsible awareness and regulation.

The mere fact that Kratom is so accessible and affordable for people to purchase with the intent of not being addictive. We see patients from all over the world who use Kratom to help with other substance abuse, then they realize they experience withdrawals when they try to stop on their own. These withdrawal symptoms are the same as patients detoxing from heroin and fentanyl. This substance needs to be banned immediately.

Banning Kratom is crucial in today’s world. It’s easily accessible with hardly any education on the dangers of it.

The use of Kratom should be regulated if not banned in totality! Kratos is highly addictive as it lies on the opioid receptors. In higher doses it creates euphoria and sedation. There are no known standardized dosages which is both scary and dangerous. There is a correlation of polysubstance use which also is dangerous.

As an addiction medicine provider, I care for patients with kratom dependency on a weekly basis. Some were aware what Kratom was, but many others were not aware they could become addicted to something they could just purchase at the local gas station or smoke shop. These patients suffer with withdrawals very similar to those who use substances such as fentanyl or heroin. They also have some of the worst post acute withdrawal symptoms to include mood changes, trouble sleeping, anxiety, and body aches and pains for weeks after their detox with us. Kratom is an unsafe substance and should not be readily available for use. There is not enough education about the addictive properties of this substance and, most that start using it, are going in blind.

I would like to express my support on Banning or regulating the drug Kratom. I work for The Coleman Institute in Richmond. We are an out patient medical detox facility. We see first hand the damage this drug does to unsuspecting people. They assume because it is sold at gas stations and vape stores it is a safe alternative to help with a multitude of bodily issues. It is marketed by most shop owners as safe and non addictive. This could not be further from the truth. It is as addictive as heroin. It is even referred to by those that fall to this trap of use as, gas station heroin. We have seen a major uptick in the amount of patients seeking our help to detox. Sadly this is from all forms of Kratom including the naturally derived form of Kratom. One thing they all say to us is they didn’t know it was so addictive and how it has absolutely destroyed their lives. Because of the lack of regulations and education, it is affecting all ages and financial demographics. It is becoming more common to see people detoxing off of Kratom than fentanyl and that is scary. Please pass a bill to ban and regulate this dangerous drug.

Kratom and all its synthetic variations (e.g. 7-OH) are substances that must be banned or, at minimum, heavily regulated. As CEO of The Coleman Institute for Addiction Medicine, I have witnessed patient intake calls shift from primarily heroin, fentanyl and other opioids to roughly 70-75% as some form of Kratom. This data speaks volumes. The physical withdrawal from Kratom is very similar to and sometimes worse than fentanyl, making it nearly impossible to simply just stop. People have lost their jobs and had relationships destroyed due to their Kratom addiction. Most patients become addicted with no knowledge or understanding of how it activates the mu-opioid brain receptors. As someone who has had direct experience with providing Kratom detox services since 2018, please take this into serious consideration before more lives are negatively impacted.

Kratom and all its synthetic variations (e.g. 7-OH) are substances that must be banned or, at minimum, heavily regulated. As CEO of The Coleman Institute for Addiction Medicine, I have witnessed patient intake calls shift from primarily heroin, fentanyl and other opioids to roughly 70-75% as some form of Kratom. This data speaks volumes. The physical withdrawal from Kratom is very similar to and sometimes worse than fentanyl, making it nearly impossible to simply just stop. People have lost their jobs and had relationships destroyed due to their Kratom addiction. Most patients become addicted with no knowledge or understanding of how it activates the mu-opioid brain receptors. As someone who has had direct experience with providing Kratom detox services since 2018, please take this into serious consideration before more lives are negatively impacted.

I personally know the effects of Kratom and the opiates it mimics. Kratom dependency is real and the withdrawals are severe. Get this substance out of our gas stations and smoke shops.

Hello Delegates, I am writing in opposition of HB1396. This bill had been brought fourth by landowners groups that falsely claim to represent and maximize property owners rights when in fact they are property owners that want to end the tradition of hound hunting. This is proven by these groups comments on their own social media pages. These groups have made claim that only 8 states allow the use of hounds to hunt, a stat quoted by delegates in the subcommittee, that is simply a false statement, currently only 9 states allow hounds to be used to hunt deer but nearly every state allows the utilization of dogs to hunt other game species many not requiring an special license to do so. I ask the delegates to understand that the vast majority of the members of the hound hunting organizations are land owners as well in addition to all of the landowners who lease or allow hound hunting on their land support the tradition of hound hunting. This bill creates a permit allowing the DWR create and issue permits on a may issue criteria with visual permit requirements for hounds and vehicles. If Additional funding is needed to police game laws the bill should be amended to a license just like an archery or muzzleloading license that is a shall issue. Additionally the cost for said license should be reduced and required for all that utilize or partcipate in any type of hunting that utilizes a dog. Dogs are already required to have owner contact info on their collar and their vehicles have state issued license plates therefore marking is not necessary. Lastly the only ones who should be exempt from license purchase are those that utilize dogs to hunt on their own land. This simplifies the requirements and makes it fair for all parties. Basically if big game is harvested and checked in and the use of dogs is checked as a part of big game license registering process they should be required to have a dog hunting license or be exempt as a land owner. I hope that you find this as a reasonable comprise. Additionally there needs to be some sort of recourse for false complaints or accusations. If this bill continues as is it will create more tensions between those who utilize dogs to hunt and those who don't like the use of hunting dogs. False complaints will continue to increase cause additional hunter harassment and tension between hunters and those that oppose it. Thank you for your time. V/R, B. C. Bunch

To who ever may read this message My name is jacob austin and me and my family live thur out Amherst Nelson and big island. We have hunted coon hounds for 4 generations starting with my great grand father (van staton)to my grandmother (Betty austin) to my father (Ernest donold austin j)r to me and my brother (Matthew austin) this is a tradition that we have cherished since we were lil kids see are dad go out every night after working long hours him telling us stories about papa van with was amazed by the places he want things he got to see walking thru the nights to get to his dogs. By time we was old enough he let us go with him he grab his 4 year old male walker hounds aka storm man he was one hell of a hound but that but im getting of track but as I got older my life changed drastically mom and father got divorced and I just went into a deep state of depression thinking it was my fault and I was just ready to just leave this earth to go to a better place but no I just hooked my trailer up to my four-wheeler and loaded my dog box and hound aka Rosco p coal train a freeing walker hound and being in the woods just help me forget everything that was happening hearing the sound of him freeing in the holler of those mountains is music for a hurting soul and mind walking to the tree being excited to see what's up there is just my way of therapy for me. I like for my kids, grandkids and everyone after me to still be able to carry on this family tradition turn to running hounds or being out in nature to enjoy what the good lord has created for us inside of turning to hard drugs to make that pain go away if someone has read this is really appreciate u taking u time to read it and have a blessed day

Please understand the difference between regular plain leaf kratom and 7oh. Kratom has been around for years and years bettering peoples lives every step of the way. It wasn't until 7oh was introduced to the public where this has became a problem. To ban Kratom would be to make your constituents felons. Law abiding citizens who previously may have not been and only because of Kratom they were able to become productive members of society. And be a contributing factor. A lot of the members of the Kratom community are addicts in recovery and deal with pain daily. To take Kratom away from them leaves them without options. Medication assisted treatment like methadone or Suboxone is just another ball and chain and makes these addicts in recovery forced to make a decision to come out of recovery to find relief. Bc Kratom won't be available to them anymore if you pass this bill. Please do not make the members of your county make these decisions. Please ban 7oh but leave natural plain leaf kratom for the souls who have found a light at the end of the tunnel.

I support this bill because the warning clearly states that “this product may cause dependence and opioid like withdrawal”, and the products are moved behind the counter or into a lock case causing consumers to pause.

Here’s the Testimonial message from a concerned kratom advocate and responsible whole leaf kratom user : I have a degenerative tissue disorder that effects my joints and muscles- causing me constant pain. There is no cure, and basically all I can do is manage the pain as best I can. I use kratom to manage this never ending pain. A chronic pain that has been with me for over two decades. A chronic pain that has, at many times, brought me close to the brink of suicide. I realize that a lot of people may not understand what it’s like living with so much pain that you’d rather end your life than to continue living one more day. This has been my life for 20 years. Constant pain preventing me from living a normal life. Constant pain that keeps me from being able to pay attention and engage with life. Constant pain preventing me from being able to sleep. Pain throughout the day. Pain throughout the night. Pain first thing in the morning (if I do manage to get some sleep and wake up). I would wake up every morning hoping to God that this would be my last day. Finding kratom was the only thing that gave me any hope for the future. --------- It’s important to note that kratom does not have the same kind of potential for abuse and addiction like prescription opioids. The reason is because kratom contains balancing alkaloids- partial opioid agonists, which do not activate the opioid receptor in the same way as a traditional opioids like oxy, morph, or fent. Kratom does not cause respiratory depression the way traditional opioids do. Kratom also has a natural ceiling of effectiveness. This is because kratom contains both partial agonists as well as antagonists- the presence of which means that a user will start getting unpleasant effects (the wobbles) if they take too much, or take it too often. There is no such safety mechanism with traditional painkillers, which can lead a person to keep taking more and more until the inevitable overdose. The reason why I feel kratom in its natural form is safe, is precisely because of this built in ceiling effect- where the more you take, the less it works. Taking too much kratom just leads to diminished returns or unfavorable effects like nausea and dizzyness - none of which is life threatening, but works well enough to deter the user from over-use. In other words, kratom has a built in safety mechanism that prevents abuse. Traditional opioids do not have any such safety mechanism. I know because I have experienced both. --------- Kratom has not only improved my life and helped me to manage my chronic pain in a safe and natural way- it’s also helped me to get clean from dangerous and highly addictive prescription pills which were literally destroying my body. Kratom has also helped me kick a decades long addiction to alcohol. Not only has kratom kept me sober from alcohol for years, it has completely eliminated my desire to drink. I think that alone is a miracle. ----- I have also struggled with depression my entire life, and every single anti-depressant the doctors gave me only made me worse. None of the pharmaceutical medication helped me in any way- in fact it did the opposite and made me much more depressed and downright suicidal. Today I take kratom to manage both my physical pain and depression. Kratom is a godsend for me. It has improved my life to a degree that no pharmaceutical could ever do. ---------------

Here’s the Testimonial message from a concerned kratom advocate and responsible whole leaf kratom user : I have a degenerative tissue disorder that effects my joints and muscles- causing me constant pain. There is no cure, and basically all I can do is manage the pain as best I can. I use kratom to manage this never ending pain. A chronic pain that has been with me for over two decades. A chronic pain that has, at many times, brought me close to the brink of suicide. I realize that a lot of people may not understand what it’s like living with so much pain that you’d rather end your life than to continue living one more day. This has been my life for 20 years. Constant pain preventing me from living a normal life. Constant pain that keeps me from being able to pay attention and engage with life. Constant pain preventing me from being able to sleep. Pain throughout the day. Pain throughout the night. Pain first thing in the morning (if I do manage to get some sleep and wake up). I would wake up every morning hoping to God that this would be my last day. Finding kratom was the only thing that gave me any hope for the future. --------- It’s important to note that kratom does not have the same kind of potential for abuse and addiction like prescription opioids. The reason is because kratom contains balancing alkaloids- partial opioid agonists, which do not activate the opioid receptor in the same way as a traditional opioids like oxy, morph, or fent. Kratom does not cause respiratory depression the way traditional opioids do. Kratom also has a natural ceiling of effectiveness. This is because kratom contains both partial agonists as well as antagonists- the presence of which means that a user will start getting unpleasant effects (the wobbles) if they take too much, or take it too often. There is no such safety mechanism with traditional painkillers, which can lead a person to keep taking more and more until the inevitable overdose. The reason why I feel kratom in its natural form is safe, is precisely because of this built in ceiling effect- where the more you take, the less it works. Taking too much kratom just leads to diminished returns or unfavorable effects like nausea and dizzyness - none of which is life threatening, but works well enough to deter the user from over-use. In other words, kratom has a built in safety mechanism that prevents abuse. Traditional opioids do not have any such safety mechanism. I know because I have experienced both. --------- Kratom has not only improved my life and helped me to manage my chronic pain in a safe and natural way- it’s also helped me to get clean from dangerous and highly addictive prescription pills which were literally destroying my body. Kratom has also helped me kick a decades long addiction to alcohol. Not only has kratom kept me sober from alcohol for years, it has completely eliminated my desire to drink. I think that alone is a miracle. ----- I have also struggled with depression my entire life, and every single anti-depressant the doctors gave me only made me worse. None of the pharmaceutical medication helped me in any way- in fact it did the opposite and made me much more depressed and downright suicidal. Today I take kratom to manage both my physical pain and depression. Kratom is a godsend for me. It has improved my life to a degree that no pharmaceutical could ever do. ---------------

Please Ban this supplement it will become the next public health crisis. I lost my son to Kratom in 2024. Please share!! My name is Karen Davenport. I am a wife, and a nurse practitioner at Memorial Hospital. I’m also a grieving mother who once gave birth to three children. But on March 18, 2024, my world was shattered when my son, Matthew—one of my twins—died suddenly in his sleep. The cause of death was a lethal interaction of doctor-prescribed medications and an unregulated substance sold OTC called “Kratom”. Until that fateful day, I had never heard of Kratom, even though I work in the medical field. Matthew was a sweet, kind, and thoughtful young man who struggled with anxiety for much of his life. Tragically, his life was cut short when Kratom—purchased as casually as breath mints at a nearby convenience store—played a fatal role in his death. Please see attached file!

My name is Ashley Davidson, I'm from Hull Massachusetts and I would like to oppose a ban Kratom. I just wanted to say this plant saved my life. I have severe agoraphobia, I'm disabled and for a long time could not even leave my house for Dr appointments or dental care. One of my medications causes severe dry mouth which in turn causes damage and rapid tooth decay, not being able to get to the dentist was horrific. Since I found Kratom I have been able to get to the dentist, they were able to save my teeth after lots of work and many trips which I never could have tolerated without Kratom. No medication has worked this well and they come with scary side effects, Kratom has been gentle and I have found it to be completely safe. It has a built in ceiling effect that prevents abuse and it doesn't cause breathing depression. I am completely functional while using it, I have a chance at life again, a chance to participate and contribute, I was able to visit my elderly father which is priceless to me, thinking the plant that saved me could be banned breaks my heart and scares me. This is reefer madness all over again, there is plenty of scientific evidence backing up the safety of Kratom in its natural form, Kratom is not what people pushing for a ban say it is. This ban would literally just pry the tea from the arthritic hands of the elderly. Please have mercy and don't take away the only thing that helps so many people from all walks of life. Thank you, Ashley Davidson

I am writing to share my experience with addiction to kratom and kratom/kava mixes. Over time, I developed a dependency that led to significant health issues. When I attempted to stop using these substances, I experienced severe withdrawal symptoms. These included an inability to eat or drink, leading to a rapid weight loss of 15 pounds within a week. During the worst of my withdrawal, I sought medical help at a hospital in Rocky Mount, VA. Unfortunately, the medical staff there were unfamiliar with kratom and its effects. The proposed treatment included the administration of fentanyl, which I found alarming given my condition and the lack of understanding about kratom withdrawal. This experience has been a challenging journey, and I hope that by sharing my story, I can raise awareness about the potential dangers of kratom and the importance of proper medical knowledge and treatment for those experiencing withdrawal. It’s unfortunate that something that can do so much harm to a person is sold at gas stations and advertised as an energy drink.

I am a parent who lost a child. I believe kratom should be banned. If that option were before you today, I would support it without hesitation. HB 360 is not a ban, but I support it because doing nothing is not acceptable. This bill requires an honest warning that kratom may cause opioid-like withdrawal and moves it out of casual retail access. That matters. Parents cannot protect their children from risks they are never told about. When products with opioid-like effects are sold as “natural” without disclosure, families do not recognize dependence or withdrawal until real harm has already occurred. HB 360 does not go as far as I believe it should, but it is a necessary step toward honesty, accountability, and harm reduction. If a ban is not politically achievable, then warning families and restricting access is the minimum duty owed to parents in Virginia. Support HB 360.

We support HB 360, particularly the provisions that regulate kratom products by prohibiting sales to individuals under the age of 21 and establishing additional labeling requirements. As an organization representing pharmacists, patient safety and public health are core pillars of our profession. As pharmacists, our priority every day is to ensure the safe and appropriate use of medications and substances that affect health. Kratom acts on opioid receptors and can have unpredictable effects, including dependence and opioid-like withdrawal. Unlike FDA-regulated medications, kratom products are not standardized for dose, purity, or safety, and they often lack consistent labeling. This poses a real patient-safety challenge when individuals, or parents of minors ask for guidance. Without statutory requirements for ingredients and warning labeling, many users are unaware of what they are ingesting, and pharmacists are left without reliable information to counsel patients. HB360 sensibly prohibits the sale of kratom products to anyone younger than 21 years of age. This age threshold is consistent with other substance safety laws because: • The adolescent and young adult brain is still developing, and exposure to psychoactive substances can increase the risk of dependency and have long-term effects. • Young persons often perceive “natural” or plant-based products as inherently safe, which is not always true and creates a false sense of security that can lead to experimentation or misuse. • Restricting retail access for minors helps reduce unintentional harm and decreases the likelihood that teens will use kratom recreationally or without understanding the risks. Pharmacists frequently encounter patients (or parents) who are surprised to learn that just because a substance is marketed as “herbal” that does not mean it is benign especially for adolescents.

Dear Members of the Committee, My name is Kelli McCann. I lost my oldest child and only son Benjamin to kratom 9/12/24. He was led to believe it was natural and safe alternative to prescription pain medication to manage his pain due to psoriatic arthritis. This believe cost him his life and caused tremendous heartbreak for those of us that love him. His absence is felt everyday. I am disappointed that this legislature is unwilling to ban kratom, but am writing in support of HB360. I support it because refusing to act would be worse. This product can cause opioid-like dependence and withdrawal. That is not a theory — it is lived reality for people nationwide. Yet it is sold openly, marketed as “natural,” and labeled in a way that hides risk instead of disclosing it. That is not consumer choice. That is failure of oversight. If banning is not something you are willing to consider, then at minimum the truth must disclosed about it. HB 360 requires an opioid-like withdrawal warning and moves kratom out of casual retail access. That is not extreme. It is the bare minimum any responsible legislature should accept. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Kelli McCann (Benjamin’s mom)

I am here today in support of HB 360, speaking from a place no parent should ever have to know. My daughter, Kielee, died at just 23 years old from a mitragynine overdose. Because of her age, her death was investigated. An autopsy and toxicology report confirmed that mitragynine—the primary active compound in kratom—was the cause of her death. Kielee trusted the word “natural.” She used natural kratom powder, believing it was safe. She believed the marketing. She believed the absence of warnings meant there was little risk. If there had been clear, honest warnings that kratom can be addictive, can cause opioid-like withdrawals, and can be dangerous—or if it had been placed behind the counter—she may have stopped and thought twice. That pause could have saved her life. My daughter turned to kratom as a “safe” alternative for pain relief. She did not want to take opioids. Ironically, the substance she believed was safer is what killed her. The warning label proposed in this bill is not excessive—it is necessary. It is the kind of warning that could have changed my daughter’s decision and altered our lives forever. Kratom is becoming increasingly popular and increasingly accessible. Parents often don’t know what it is. Young people assume it is safe because it is openly sold and marketed as natural. The reality does not match the marketing. Your decision on this bill will shape how many families in your communities are protected—or left vulnerable. I know this is not an easy decision. But I know what it is like to stand in my daughter’s empty bedroom and ask why there were not stronger warnings on such a dangerous substance. I live with that question every day. I am asking you to pass HB 360 so that no other family has to learn this lesson through the loss of a child, a spouse, or a friend. Thank you for taking the time to listen—and for choosing the safety of your residents. Sincerely, Tia Rustici Kielee’s mom

I operate a Recovery community organization in Henrico County. We are seeing more and more folks come in with Kratom addiction issues. It presents like an opiate withdrawal and an opiate high. It is just common sense that if you're not gonna outlaw this awful product, that at least put it behind the counter like you would cigarettes. We need to keep this away from the kids. Can't we all just try to live in the solution? This drug will take normal people and turn them into active drug addicts just like any other street drug.

I am submitting this comment as a chronic pain patient and disability advocate with lived experience of severe medical harm, disbelief by doctors, and abandonment by the healthcare system. Years ago, I was given FDA approved medications that caused serious damage to my body. Lupron was one of them. What followed were years of worsening pain, repeated surgeries, and doctors who did not believe my pain was real. I was misdiagnosed, dismissed, and labeled instead of helped. One surgery, a botched hysterectomy that cut me from hip to hip, lasted over three hours. At one point during my medical ordeal, I was bleeding internally and left without proper care. I truly believed I was going to die. These experiences permanently changed my life. After years of failed treatments and trauma, plain leaf kratom tea became the only thing that allowed me to function and manage pain without opioids. I did not turn to kratom casually. I turned to it because the medical system had exhausted and harmed me. During my major abdominal surgery, I stopped kratom completely before the operation. After surgery, I was on IV pain medication, but it was not helping. I was groggy, disconnected, and unable to function. After two days, once I was able to tolerate something by mouth, I stopped the IV medication and drank my kratom tea. The difference was immediate. I was more lucid, my pain was better controlled, and I was able to get up and walk. The nurses were shocked. They assumed I was not taking anything at all until I explained that I had resumed my kratom tea. That experience reinforced what I already knew. Kratom helps me function without sedation, confusion, or the risks I experienced with prescription drugs. It has never intoxicated me. It has never taken my life apart. It gave me clarity and stability when nothing else did. When lawmakers consider kratom-related legislation, I ask that patient outcomes and harm reduction remain central. Many adults rely on kratom not recreationally, but as a last-resort tool after years of medical trauma, failed prescriptions, and disbelief. I am concerned about policies that could unintentionally reduce access, overregulate responsible products, or push patients back toward opioids or other medications that have already caused significant harm. People do not stop needing pain relief because access is restricted. They suffer, or they are forced into worse options. While I do not live in Virginia, I have family, close friends, and fellow advocates who do. Decisions made here affect real people I care about and will influence kratom policy far beyond state lines. Please consider the lived experiences of patients like me when evaluating kratom-related legislation. Safety matters, but access and harm reduction matter too. Thank you for listening to voices that are too often ignored.

I am a clinical pharmacist, and I support HR 360 because it exposes a known public-health risk that needs to be addressed. HR 360 provides a warning that is grounded in fact which brings awareness to potential harm. Disregard of this acknowledgement would defy the vital role of public health to protect the public from risks of kratom and that is to ensure that food, human and veterinary drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics are safe, effective, and properly labeled. Cases have been reported related to use of kratom demonstrating physical dependence with signs and symptoms of withdrawal. Public disclosure of this risk is an essential and responsible public health function. Without notification of this risk associated with kratom use places consumers at risk. People do not recognize withdrawal when it occurs. They misinterpret symptoms. They escalate use. They delay seeking medical care. These are predictable outcomes when pharmacologic risk is hidden behind marketing terms like “natural” or “wellness.” HB 360 corrects that failure without resorting to prohibition. It gives Virginians information before dependence occurs, not after. It reduces harm without inflaming backlash. It brings a product sold outside the healthcare system closer to the ethical standards expected within it. As pharmacists, we are trained to prioritize patient safety, transparency, and informed consent. Supporting HB 360 is not a political statement, it is a professional one. The warning requirement is supported by evidence, aligned with clinical reality, and represents the most responsible public-health action available in Virginia at this time. I urge support for HB 360.

Dear Committee Members, I am a parent who lost a child. I believe kratom should be banned. If that option were before you today, I would support it without hesitation. HB 360 is not a ban, but I support it because doing nothing is not acceptable. This bill requires an honest warning that kratom may cause opioid-like withdrawal and moves it out of casual retail access. That matters. Parents cannot protect their children from risks they are never told about. When products with opioid-like effects are sold as “natural” without disclosure, families do not recognize dependence or withdrawal until real harm has already occurred. HB 360 does not go as far as I believe it should, but it is a necessary step toward honesty, accountability, and harm reduction. If a ban is not politically achievable, then warning families and restricting access is the minimum duty owed to parents in Virginia. Support HB 360. Thank you Wendy Chamberlain Joseph’s mom Forever 38 Lost from mitragynine toxicity.

Hello, My name is Hilary Tesluck and I have direct lived experience with both kratom and 7oh addiction. Today, I am clean, but I will never forget the true nightmare of withdrawing from kratom and 7oh. Both things I consider to be the most difficult things I have done in my life. It is NO DIFFERENT than prescription opioid withdrawal. In fact, I find it worse. Withdrawing from kratom leaf produced a lengthy post-acute withdrawal syndrome in which I experienced profound depression for 90 days. Withdrawing from 7oh was terrifying because I did it cold turkey on my own (I didn’t have access to resources like rehab) and it was so intense I ended up going to the ER because I thought I would pass out alone in my apartment. I couldn’t walk, couldn’t shower without the risk of fainting. I thrashed day and night for six days total. It is worse than heroin withdrawal because it’s so strong. Please consider protecting further individuals in your community by placing safeguards for the sale of kratom. I did not know what I was getting myself into years ago and if I knew I would’ve never done it.

Although some argue that the recent rise in kratom addiction is driven primarily by concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products, as an addiciton medicine physician, I have seen a broader increase in kratom dependence that cannot be explained by 7-OH alone. Traditional kratom preparations, which contain little to no isolated 7-OH, have been associated for years with tolerance, withdrawal, and compulsive use, demonstrating that the plant’s full alkoloid profile, especially mitragynine, has inherent addictive potential. As kratom use has expanded in availability, potency, and frequency, more users are consuming it daily, escalating doses, and experiencing opioid-like dependence regardless of whether 7-OH is present in high concentrations. While 7-OH products may accelerate or intensify addiction in some users, focusing exclusively on them obscures the larger public health reality: kratom itself, particularly when marketed as “safe” or “non-addictive,” is contributing to a growing population of individuals struggling with dependence, withdrawal, and functional impairment. As an addiction medicine physician treating hundreds of patients annually at the Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center, I have been seeing an ever increasing number of people who are struggling with their use of Kratom. I would like to emphasize the reason we like this bill is because the warning clearly states that the product may cause dependence and opioid-like withdrawal. By moving the product behind the counter or into a lock case, this will allow potential consumers to pause and reflect on the potential cause for harm for these products.

Kratom has played a meaningful role in improving the quality of life for someone I love deeply who lives with severe chronic pain, depression, and anxiety. Before discovering kratom, daily life was dominated by pain, exhaustion, and a sense of hopelessness that made even simple tasks feel overwhelming. With kratom, they found a level of relief that allowed them to feel more present in their own life. Their pain became more manageable, their mood more stable, and their anxiety less consuming. It didn’t erase their challenges, but it gave them something incredibly important back: the ability to function, to engage, and to feel moments of peace and motivation again. What stands out most is the dignity it helped restore. Instead of being defined solely by pain or mental health struggles, they were able to reconnect with their interests, relationships, and sense of self. Kratom has been one part of a broader, thoughtful approach to wellness, and for our family, its impact has been profound and life-affirming.

I strongly advise you to oppose SB1396. Thank you.

We oppose bills Sb471 Sb770 Hb1396 It is a virgina heritage I have been hunting with my dogs ever since I could walk, and I want my nephews and my kids to enjoy the thangs that brought me so much joy and gave me something to look forward to every year these dogs are not just hunting dogs they are our pets and a part of my family please oppose these bills so my kids and grandkids can enjoy what I have and so many others have for generations.

Kratom has helped me so much in my life. It has helped my mental health as well as helps me physically do everything I need to do each day. I am able to keep up with my grandkids. I am able to function at my job when prior I found it extremely difficult to stay employed. I’ve been the most stable I’ve ever been in my adult life thanks to Kratom.

I've used kratom for over a decade. Kratom has been a positive and life-changing part of my wellness journey. It’s a natural plant from the coffee family that helps me manage Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Severe Major Depression and Panic Disorder. I receive pain relief for the chronic pain some of these cause. Kratom allows me to avoid the harsh side effects that I've experienced from prescription drugs. I learned about kratom from my brother after it got him off of heroin. It has saved my sisters life, also. They both survived fentanyl poisonings in 2016. Kratom is the reason they reached sobriety and remain sober. It prevented me from getting addicted to pills. Addiction runs in my family- it could've been me. Research from Johns Hopkins University and the University of Florida shows that kratom’s natural compounds work differently from opioids — they can relieve pain and improve mood without the dangerous risk of respiratory failure. Studies in Drug and Alcohol Dependence also found that kratom has a low potential for abuse and can even help people reduce dependence on harmful substances. Data from the CDC and the National Institute on Drug Abuse confirm that deaths linked solely to kratom are extremely rare — most cases involve other drugs or contaminants. Another concern of mine is the fact that alcohol has remained easily accessible while being responsible for tens of millions of deaths globally. These deaths have been attributable to alcohol since 2010 (very likely more than 30 million) based on the annual scales involved. Alcohol withdrawal is deadly whereas discontinuing kratom use is not. Kratom, namely plain leaf kratom is not deadly. That’s why I believe regulation, not prohibition, is the responsible way. Requiring testing and labeling so products are safe and adults can make informed choices. For me, and for millions of others, kratom has meant a better, healthier quality of life. Please listen to the science, and to the people who use it responsibly every day. Thank you for your time and consideration.

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Comment in Support of HB 360 I am submitting this comment as a pharmacist and Virginian in support of HB 360 because it does something government is obligated to do: it tells the truth and reduces preventable harm. Kratom has been sold in Virginia without honest warnings, no plain-language disclosure of dependence, no clear acknowledgment of opioid-like withdrawal, and no risk communication consistent with what is now documented about its effects. That silence is not neutral. When risks are known and not disclosed, confusion becomes policy, and families absorb the consequences. HB 360 does not ban kratom and does not criminalize consumers. It requires an explicit warning about opioid-like effects and withdrawal, and it moves sales behind the counter so adults are informed before purchase. That is not overreach. It is baseline consumer protection. It is also important to recognize where this issue is heading. Federal scrutiny is increasing, not decreasing, driven by FDA adverse event data, CDC mortality surveillance, and poison control reports, including a documented increase in pediatric exposures. The DEA is actively reviewing a citizen petition requesting Schedule I classification, and international retail markets have already begun closing in response to similar evidence. In that context, HB 360 functions as risk containment for Virginia. If federal action occurs after more Virginians unknowingly develop dependence, the public-health, treatment, and enforcement burden will fall on the Commonwealth. Acting now, through honest warnings and controlled access, reduces that exposure rather than magnifying it. For legislators and members of the public who want to review the underlying harm data directly, FDA adverse event reports, CDC references, and poison control trends are compiled for policymakers at www.mothersagainstherbalabuse.org. The record exists. The risks are documented. What remains is the decision. HB 360 offers Virginia a responsible path forward: transparency without prohibition, action without overreach, and protection before preventable harm becomes unavoidable. I urge its passage.

Invasives should be pulled or killed by herbicide and not be permitted to be sold in nurseries

Please do not ban kratom it has saved my life along with numerous other people please don't force my hand and make me go back to the streets for pain relief from my amputation and other things that's wrong with me this stuff has helped me tremendously it is a lot of people tremendously even the FDA has said it safe please do not ban it sincerely alUnited States caring citizen...Dave Cates

Object to all said bills and any casios developments.

TechNet supports HB 600.

A clause has been added to the proposed legislative change that states that disclosure would only be required when a majority of the non-declarant board members own “improved lots” in the Association. This clause makes it 100% possible for any declarant to avoid ever needing to make the disclosures. A declarant who wishes to avoid disclosure can identify a person who does not even own property in the Association, make an unimproved lot available to such person at low (or no?) cost and appoint or elect them to the Board. In the case of Captain’s Cove, this has already happened. I cannot imagine what the purpose of adding this new clause would be, except to make it completely irrelevant, and to benefit developers who want to obscure their control of the association. I ask that this new clause be completely removed. But much more needs to be done to protect the citizens of Virginia. When a developer has total control of an association, and the people who pay dues and have their homes within it have no power, corruption can easily follow. There are other things that can- must- be done to protect people from possible corruption. I recommend the following be added to this legislation: If the declarant has any unexpired right to control the conduct of association business, through the appointment or election of a majority of the members of the board of directors, the Association shall create a 3-member Owner Governance Panel. This Panel shall be elected solely by the vote of non-Declarant members. This Panel will serve as non-voting Board members and as such will have access to any and all information available to the Board of Directors and participate in all Board meetings. Panel members will be subject to all confidentiality requirements expected of Board members. The Owner Governance Panel will also have the right to appoint one Panel member to work with the Board, staff and audit firm throughout the annual audit process. All owners of property in the Association shall have the right to vote in any election or referendum. Such right will not be lost for any reason as long as the member continues to own property in the Association. The Board shall report to the members the total number of declarant lots approved to be used for voting purposes, and a list identifying these lots. Developers may claim no more lots as “Developer lots” as he owned at the outset of his tenure as developer. Any lots purchased, traded for, or otherwise obtained subsequent to the date he began as “developer” cannot be used for voting purposes and will not be exempt from the owing of dues. While these changes would greatly assist Virginia property owners who are otherwise at the mercy of potentially unscrupulous developers, ultimately, there must be a limit to how long developers can claim the rights of a developer. Comperhensive, nationally accepted fair voting procedures, consistent with the recommendations of the bipartisan Uniform Common Interest Communities Act must be required in Virginia. By making these changes, HB 621 would actually protect Virginia citizens from possible, and actual, corruption. As it is now written, HB 621 only encourages corruption.

My perfectly healthy adult brother in his 30s nearly lost his life due to nitrous oxide use after it resulted in a sudden onset of severe neuropathy, causing him to lose the ability to walk and use his hands. When most people hear of nitrous, they immediately think about cans of whipped cream and the term ‘whippets’. What we’re prohibiting here is far more dangerous. Standard cans of whipped cream only contain approximately 8 grams of nitrous. The canisters that we want off our streets are straight nitrous. They are commonly found in vape shops and typically have over a 500 gram capacity (compared to 8). These are HUGE! Despite clearly labeled dangers, these stores promote heavy use with frequent buyer cards and even use phrases like (3,500 puffs and up), which is clearly not their intended use. Aside from the dangers to the user, there is a tremendous risk to the public as nitrous oxide influence is virtually non-detectable. In situations such as driving under the influence, the more obvious effects of nitrous usually wear off within 5-10 minutes and it generally does not stay in your system longer than one hour. I have personally witnessed nitrous oxide use cause reckless behavior, extreme changes in personality, anger, paranoia, hallucinations, and seizures. I appreciate the many delegates that have thoughtfully taken the time to strengthen the language of this bill, ensuring that this commonsense legislation keeps a very dangerous drug out of the hands of Virginians. Please vote yes for HB648.

I’m here as a parent and constituent. This issue is about consumer protection and correcting a dangerous misconception. Nitrous oxide used in medical and dental settings is administered by licensed professionals, mixed with oxygen, and carefully monitored. Culinary use involves small cartridges used properly in kitchens. But what we are seeing in Virginia is very different. Large nitrous oxide tanks — some containing up to 3,000 grams — are being sold in vape and smoke shops for recreational inhalation without oxygen or safeguards. Brands like Galaxy Gas, Baking Bad, FastGas, and ExoticWhip are widely available. Because these products are legally sold and labeled for culinary use, many consumers assume they are harmless, when in reality they are being misused and causing serious harm. In fact, Amazon and Walmart recently removed these products from retail sales on their platforms from third party sellers, amid pending litigation concerns, showing that even Major retailers recognize the risks surrounding these products. My 29-year-old son legally purchased nitrous oxide. Within a couple of months, he developed neuropathy. Within eight short months, he suffered massive blood clots in his legs and lungs and a three-centimeter clot in the right ventricle of his heart. It took many additional months for him to regain feeling in his feet. I am now hearing the same stories from families across Virginia and across the country — nerve damage, paralysis, hallucination, psychosis, blood clots, and in some cases death — from a product people never realized could be so dangerous. This legislation helps close a consumer loophole and protects Virginians from products that are misleadingly marketed and causing preventable harm. We have the opportunity to prevent more families from experiencing this tragedy. Thank you for your consideration.

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Please pass this bill and take these toxic products off the shelves and out of our youths hands.

On our way home from the Delegate hearing last week my son and I drove out of Richmond on Hull Street Road. There are noticeably a high density of vape shops in dis-advantaged areas of Richmond. But as you continue toward the suburbs you still see them every 5 miles. Let’s not kid ourselves……this toxic gas is available on every corner! The chair woman asked why a broader bill this year that doesn’t just include minors? Because grown adults like my son quickly became addicted with serious health issues in a short time! Like 12 other states, this product needs to be pulled from retail and only sold through permitted outlets! There are at least 1400 vape shops per Alexa but going to intestate myself. That number seems low!

Please vote YES on HB648 It is important for the committee to see visual examples of devices that are used to distribute nitrous oxide, as a common comment that has been brought up through this process is that the bill would be limiting distribution of small devices that could inadvertently distribute poisonouse gas such as cans of whipped cream. This is NOT the case at all. These devices are very large and are made for direct consumption of nitrous. Attached is an example of a couple of visuals. The first visual shows how retailers like vape shops encourage regular use with frequent buyer cards as well as warning labels from the manufacturer which directly state this should not be inhaled. The second visual shows a couple of examples of what these cansisters look like with a side by side comparison to a can of paint to put it into perspective.

I strongly support HB648 - prohibition in the State of Virginia of nitrous oxide for distribution to any person, business or organization that is not explicitly for commercial food or medical use. Severe penalties and routine checks should be mandated and implemented for those excluded from this bill. Vape shops and other similar distributors or dispensaries should be closely monitored to ensure compliance. They falsely sell under the pretense of being available for restaurant usage when in fact they market and sell to individuals for recreational usage. Too many people, especially our youth and underprivileged people, are dying or becoming gravely ill as a result. I, and my friends and family, urge our legislators who represent us in Fairfax County, to act immediately to enact legislation that will ban these dangerous products.

I nearly lost my son 6 months ago to nitrous. His use quickly escalated to an ER visit, long term neuropathy, mental health issues and suicide threats! Vape stores are distributing at will! This needs to stop. Who knows where the gas comes from and who produces the tanks. Please stop this chaos.

Object to all said bills and any casios developments.

I am not in support of this bill. Tents are not defined as farm structures and should not be exempt from code requirements that regulate their design and use. Under the VA Statewide Fire Code, tents are designed for temporary use and should be regulated as such. Tents are not designed to sustain severe weather conditions throughout the year. Tents used for cooking purposes and large assembly purposes, which are often used at local wineries and breweries, are being used more like commercial restaurants and entertainment venues rather than agriculture and should be subject to regulation and inspection by the local fire marshal.

Please do not ban kratom it has saved my life along with numerous other people please don't force my hand and make me go back to the streets for pain relief from my amputation and other things that's wrong with me this stuff has helped me tremendously it is a lot of people tremendously even the FDA has said it safe please do not ban it sincerely alUnited States caring citizen...Dave Cates

I am writing today to express my strong support for House Bill 988 — the proposed amendment to the Virginia Human Rights Act sponsored by Delegate Thomas A. Garrett, Jr.. This bill would prohibit any state agency or political subdivision from supporting, implementing, recognizing, or utilizing any program, process, or procedure that conveys or denies a benefit, advantage, or privilege to an individual solely on the basis of their race, sex, or ethnicity. I support this legislation because equal treatment under the law should be the standard in every part of Virginia governance. Policies that grant or restrict opportunities based on immutable characteristics risk undermining individual dignity and can foster division. HB 988 affirms that government should treat all Virginians fairly and without favoritism or disadvantage based on who they are. By strengthening the Virginia Human Rights Act, this bill helps ensure that civil rights protections are clearly defined, consistently applied, and aligned with the core American and Commonwealth values of equality and justice. Establishing these standards not only safeguards individual liberties but also promotes confidence and trust in our public institutions. For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to support and advance House Bill 988 out of committee and to a vote by the full House of Delegates.

Please do not ban kratom it has saved my life along with numerous other people please don't force my hand and make me go back to the streets for pain relief from my amputation and other things that's wrong with me this stuff has helped me tremendously it is a lot of people tremendously even the FDA has said it safe please do not ban it sincerely alUnited States caring citizen...Dave Cates

Object to all said bills and any casios developments.

On behalf of the responsible pet care community, we ask that you vote YES on HB 1415, legislation addressing homeowners’ insurance and companion animals.

Please do not ban kratom it has saved my life along with numerous other people please don't force my hand and make me go back to the streets for pain relief from my amputation and other things that's wrong with me this stuff has helped me tremendously it is a lot of people tremendously even the FDA has said it safe please do not ban it sincerely alUnited States caring citizen...Dave Cates

I am in support of VA HB 1415. Across the country, there is a dearth of pet-inclusive housing, particularly for pet owners that rent. It is estimated that less than 10% of housing is truly pet-inclusive in the US, that is without type, breed, or size restrictions. And for over 30 years, housing has been implicated as the primary human-related reason why owners relinquish their pets to animal shelters. A traumatic experience for both the owner and the pet. This bill will address the lack of pet-inclusive housing in Virginia, including removing restrictions based on breed, and go a long way in helping keep people and their pets together.

The Virginia Federation of Humane Societies (VFHS) is the oldest and largest membership organization representing animal welfare organizations and professionals in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Our more than 250 members include municipal animal shelters, private shelters, animal control officers, law enforcement, rescue organizations, animal welfare professionals, and compassionate individuals across the state. VFHS recognizes that the lack of affordable and accessible pet-friendly housing is one of the leading causes of pet surrender across the Commonwealth. Our members, from urban communities in Northern Virginia to rural localities in Southwest Virginia, consistently report the same challenge: families with pets are struggling to find housing that allows them to keep their whole family together. With nearly two-thirds of Virginia households having at least one pet, it’s time for Virginia to take this important step to protect families with pets. HB 1415 takes a comprehensive approach to a widespread problem, addressing housing access, insurance barriers, and transparency for renters with pets. Restrictive pet policies not only force families to make the heartbreaking choice to surrender beloved pets, but they also strain local animal shelters, which must absorb an avoidable influx of animals. This places additional pressure on shelter resources, increases costs, and limits the capacity to serve pets in true emergencies. By promoting fairness, transparency, and equity, these measures help renters make informed decisions, keep families together, and reduce preventable shelter intakes that impact communities across the Commonwealth. VFHS strongly supports HB 1415 and urges the Subcommittee to advance this legislation. By taking this step, Virginia can help families maintain housing stability while keeping pets safe and at home.

Coalition of animal welfare organizations statement in support of HB 1415.

Since its inception in 1946, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) has been a leading voice for animal welfare. As the field has evolved, the human–animal bond has become central to our work. Recognizing that pets are considered family members by most guardians, AWLA strongly supports legislation that expands housing options for families with pets so they can remain together. HB145 addresses this need by protecting families from excessive fees and prohibitive breed restrictions that too often lead to unnecessary separation, and AWLA strongly supports this bill. Renters with pets face significant barriers to securing housing. Many landlords prohibit pets entirely, while those who allow them often impose high, non-refundable deposits and monthly pet rent that can add hundreds of dollars to housing costs. Pet-friendly rentals frequently maintain restrictive policies related to breed, size, or number of pets. Nationwide, only 8% of rental properties have no pet restrictions, and the percentage in Alexandria is even lower. Breed-based policies are especially problematic, as visual breed identification is unreliable, many dogs are mixed breeds, and decisions are often arbitrary with no clear appeals process. In Alexandria, these barriers exist within an already strained housing landscape. In 2024, 54% of residents lived in rental housing, and 44% were considered housing-cost burdened. With approximately two-thirds of U.S. households including pets, these challenges affect a substantial portion of Alexandria families. An estimated 61,000 dogs and cats live in the city, meaning nearly 33,000 pets reside in rental households. For families facing housing instability, the risk is not only losing their home but also being forced to relinquish a beloved animal. Housing challenges are the leading reason community members seek assistance from AWLA. In 2024, AWLA took in over 200 pets due to housing-related crises, accounting for roughly 25% of all pets surrendered or temporarily boarded through our Crisis Care program. In 2025, that figure rose to nearly 30% of total intakes, underscoring the growing impact of housing barriers on families and animals. Excessive pet fees and restrictive policies disproportionately harm low-income households. According to United Way’s 2024 ALICE report, 39% of Alexandrians live below the ALICE threshold, nearly all in rental housing. These barriers undermine housing stability and, in some cases, compel individuals to choose between housing and their companion animals. HB145 would provide meaningful support to vulnerable community members, help keep families together, and reduce the number of pets entering shelters due solely to a lack of pet-inclusive housing.