It appears the resolution has been introduced in the state legislature and referred to several committees, but not passed yet...?
So, that product has since been taken down, just as the quote above that suggested would happen to the remaining products.
Didn't they try to ban kava years ago, and those liver claims were proven to be false, because the subjects they were using had already been heavy drinkers or something like that ?
I have been thinking on an advocacy group for awhile now. Not trying to be pessimistic. But, it's a matter of time before Kava is really challenged in the states. Especially, if i'ts profits start to eat into the machine.
it's only a matter of time before a batch of kava is (deliberately?) contaminated and makes people sick. I'm guessing it will be on the cheaper end of the scale, more a bulk wholesaler off the docks thing. But there will be immediate calls to ban kava. Kr@ may be awful but it doesn't usually have salmonella in it. K2/Spice may also be awful but it doesn't usually have rat poison in it.
The "State Beverage" idea is on a back burner for me. This session I put no effort towards it. I put all my energy in the draft Codex alimentarious. Reasoning- it is international, more detailed (lists all "endemic" Hawaiian cultivars ), provides enormous documentation and has FDA support. Last year I put so much effort in the "Hawai'i State Beverage" Resolution and I became disillusioned with how it would be viewed internationally compared to Codex. I learned much, also, about the mentality of our Hawai'i State Legislators and their total ignorance of 'awa/kava.
My frustration with it, again, was the lack of knowledge and lack of enthusiasm of the elected Representatives and Senators . Last year (Session) one powerful Senator had the power to decide to keep it in Committee or keep it out of discussion. A positive move on his part would have brought it from the House of Rep. back to the Senate. I spoke at length to his Aide and was told that there was no way that Senator would introduce it further. If Codex becomes reality in a few years then that may create all the support we'd need to get it passed on the State level.
What a letdown. You'd think this would be common knowledge.
Again, this is nonsense. There aren't a lot of documented adverse reactions when you compare it to FDA approved drugs, etc. I'm sure you have the quitting K@ sub link ready but reddit isn't a reliable source for anything scientific. The poison control lines got more calls about people ingesting laundry detergent balls than they did perceived adverse reactions to K@ (I say perceived because it's like cannabis or kava, the negative side effects of taking too much will go away after a few hours pass and it's eliminated from the body). There isn't much backing in the scientific community for a ban and the evidence the DEA and FDA have put forward is very weak, incomplete and lacking of substance. If there were any real evidence of danger, the DEA ban would have went through in 2016.
The codex is much more important to focus on. I don't see the state drink as being much more than symbolic. How many people actually know if their state has a state drink and what it is?
The big Milk industry would like a word with you to remind you that you like milk. Basically if you don't know it's a pretty safe bet to say "milk". I'm lactose intolerant, so I'm going to need a revision.
Hah. I did look it up and milk is the overwhelming majority. Kind of surprising considering most adults I know drink little to no milk unless it's mixed into a coffee or something.
They'd probably be more enthusiastic if it was something they could impress the hospitality lobby with, like Piña Colada or some other tropical cocktail.
We are pretty much in agreement here. I just feel very strongly that the solution to the K@ in kava bars issue should not be a ban on K@. I really don't know of a way to stop the "quick buck legal high" contingent because they will continue to work with whatever they have access to. If K@ is gone, they'll move onto something else. Money is their motivator and they don't care what damage they do to the consumer or either plants industry. There is also no push in the K@ community to achieve beverage status. People just want to be able to continue treating their issues without having to resort to vastly more dangerous and less effective alternatives pushed by doctors/pharmaceuticals, not risk prison time for making a cup of tea and not have to deal with a black market which I think we all agree magnifies the potential for harm greatly.
When those recalls are issued, the FDA never advises consumers to stop eating lettuce, chicken, etc. It could be a complete coincidence that the first ever outbreak just happens to be right when the DEA and FDA are trying to get public support to take action.
