kl.TylerKTB
Kava Curious
Hello Kavasseurs,
Adil had mentioned that we were recently discussing the framework by which we can self police the current Kava resurgence that we are witnessing in the US. We are particularly concerned with the manner in which Kava is being marketed in Kava bars. I have seen some Kava bar models that have already gained and continue to gain negative media attention and present Kava in a very negative light. If these types of establishments continue to operate in this manner, it is an absolute certainty that there will be swift regulation on our favorite plant. On the other hand, if we can encourage existing bars and all future bars to adhere to a set of minimum standards, we can present Kava in a very positive light to the vox populous. An industry that polices itself is far less likely to suffer regulatory consequences over one that is the wild west when it comes to standards. I'd like to intervene early, while there are only 20 bars here in the US and set those standards high. I have 7 bars already on board with the concept, as well as several suppliers. Here is what I am proposing:
The American Kava Association would:
1. Set MINIMUM standards for the distribution of Kava in North America.
2. Issue memberships to 1. Consumers, 2. Retailers / bars, and 3. Suppliers (wholesalers and farmers) with incentives for each group i.e. Consumer members get discounts from approved bars who get discounts from approved suppliers.
3. Perform positive lobbying as well as leverage lobbying.
4. Pre-emptively publish positive press on Kava and establishments that serve it responsibly
5. Combat negative press that Kava may get - Mostly from irresponsible establishments.
6. Provide legal advice to retailers, bars, and suppliers to help them understand and mitigate risk.
7. Educate consumers about Kava and dispel myths about it.
8. Direct consumers to responsible, Association approved Kava establishments and be a watchdog for irresponsible ones.
I have been a secret shopper at several Kava Bars across the US and have seen many sustainable models that present Kava in a good and positive light. It would be unfair to name names for either "good" or "bad" models so I won't. I will say that the three bars here on the west coast are following a great model that reinforce the positivity associated with Kava without exploiting it or threatening its legal status. All of the Bars I have been to thus far in Hawaii (7) are also operating a clean model. This isn't the case for some of the places that I have visited in Florida. "Drink till you puke", legally high, no age limit, among other horrible marketing schemes seem to be the mantra.
So being that this organization is in its infancy, I'd like to open it up to the community to assist in making some ground rules so that we can protect the plant. I am starting with Kava Bars because I feel like irresponsible Kava Bars will present the biggest risk to Kava in the near future.
Here are some of the suggested guidelines:
An American Kava Association approved Kava Bar should:
1. Serve Kava (what a concept), not K@, alcohol, synthetic drugs, boner pills, or Tobacco (Hookahs).
2. Serve daily drinking Kavas as their 'house kava'
3. Be allowed to serve other Kavas such as Tudei or Isa or Papua only to experienced drinkers and only if they are clearly labeled as such and it is somehow indicated that the effects are much different.
4. Label each Kava strain that they carry in terms of common name and country of origin and preferably state the age of the root.
5. Have an age limit. Personally, I think its best to have 18+ after 9-10pm so that minors are not mingling with adults.
6. Have preparation standards i.e. X grams per gallon.
7. Have serving cut offs and refuse to serve overly intoxicated customers (be it alcohol or kava or otherwise).
8. Not market kava as an alcohol alternative. This is against FDA law.
9. Not market kava by using health claims such as an anxiety cure, or a pain reliever. The association will assist anyone who needs help distinguishing whats OK and whats not in terms of FDA laws.
10. Have knowledgeable staff that educate customers about the cultural importance of Kava in its native regions, who also know rule 9 above and don't make health claims while educating the customer.
These are ten quick ones that I could come up with, these are absolutely not set in stone, if you don't agree with one or more parts such as age limits etc., now is the time to open up a discussion. i will be encouraging suppliers and Bar owners to chime in here in the next week so we can all become familiar with each other.
I will have the site up and going in about a month. It will start basic and we can expand and grow as interest and support is gathered from those of us in the Kava industry.
The site will be strictly for advocacy, and will not be a discussion forum or a place to promote products.
http://americankavaassociation.org
I would appreciate everyone's input
Adil had mentioned that we were recently discussing the framework by which we can self police the current Kava resurgence that we are witnessing in the US. We are particularly concerned with the manner in which Kava is being marketed in Kava bars. I have seen some Kava bar models that have already gained and continue to gain negative media attention and present Kava in a very negative light. If these types of establishments continue to operate in this manner, it is an absolute certainty that there will be swift regulation on our favorite plant. On the other hand, if we can encourage existing bars and all future bars to adhere to a set of minimum standards, we can present Kava in a very positive light to the vox populous. An industry that polices itself is far less likely to suffer regulatory consequences over one that is the wild west when it comes to standards. I'd like to intervene early, while there are only 20 bars here in the US and set those standards high. I have 7 bars already on board with the concept, as well as several suppliers. Here is what I am proposing:
The American Kava Association would:
1. Set MINIMUM standards for the distribution of Kava in North America.
2. Issue memberships to 1. Consumers, 2. Retailers / bars, and 3. Suppliers (wholesalers and farmers) with incentives for each group i.e. Consumer members get discounts from approved bars who get discounts from approved suppliers.
3. Perform positive lobbying as well as leverage lobbying.
4. Pre-emptively publish positive press on Kava and establishments that serve it responsibly
5. Combat negative press that Kava may get - Mostly from irresponsible establishments.
6. Provide legal advice to retailers, bars, and suppliers to help them understand and mitigate risk.
7. Educate consumers about Kava and dispel myths about it.
8. Direct consumers to responsible, Association approved Kava establishments and be a watchdog for irresponsible ones.
I have been a secret shopper at several Kava Bars across the US and have seen many sustainable models that present Kava in a good and positive light. It would be unfair to name names for either "good" or "bad" models so I won't. I will say that the three bars here on the west coast are following a great model that reinforce the positivity associated with Kava without exploiting it or threatening its legal status. All of the Bars I have been to thus far in Hawaii (7) are also operating a clean model. This isn't the case for some of the places that I have visited in Florida. "Drink till you puke", legally high, no age limit, among other horrible marketing schemes seem to be the mantra.
So being that this organization is in its infancy, I'd like to open it up to the community to assist in making some ground rules so that we can protect the plant. I am starting with Kava Bars because I feel like irresponsible Kava Bars will present the biggest risk to Kava in the near future.
Here are some of the suggested guidelines:
An American Kava Association approved Kava Bar should:
1. Serve Kava (what a concept), not K@, alcohol, synthetic drugs, boner pills, or Tobacco (Hookahs).
2. Serve daily drinking Kavas as their 'house kava'
3. Be allowed to serve other Kavas such as Tudei or Isa or Papua only to experienced drinkers and only if they are clearly labeled as such and it is somehow indicated that the effects are much different.
4. Label each Kava strain that they carry in terms of common name and country of origin and preferably state the age of the root.
5. Have an age limit. Personally, I think its best to have 18+ after 9-10pm so that minors are not mingling with adults.
6. Have preparation standards i.e. X grams per gallon.
7. Have serving cut offs and refuse to serve overly intoxicated customers (be it alcohol or kava or otherwise).
8. Not market kava as an alcohol alternative. This is against FDA law.
9. Not market kava by using health claims such as an anxiety cure, or a pain reliever. The association will assist anyone who needs help distinguishing whats OK and whats not in terms of FDA laws.
10. Have knowledgeable staff that educate customers about the cultural importance of Kava in its native regions, who also know rule 9 above and don't make health claims while educating the customer.
These are ten quick ones that I could come up with, these are absolutely not set in stone, if you don't agree with one or more parts such as age limits etc., now is the time to open up a discussion. i will be encouraging suppliers and Bar owners to chime in here in the next week so we can all become familiar with each other.
I will have the site up and going in about a month. It will start basic and we can expand and grow as interest and support is gathered from those of us in the Kava industry.
The site will be strictly for advocacy, and will not be a discussion forum or a place to promote products.
http://americankavaassociation.org
I would appreciate everyone's input
