My name is Emily Pieroni, and I’m writing this petition out of grief and urgency. My husband, Blake Pieroni, lost his life because of a substance that’s legal and easily available at gas stations and convenience stores, among other places, across the U.S.

That substance is kratom.

He was introduced to kratom in Marion, IL, in the form of a so-called “energy shot.” At first, it seemed harmless — just a boost of energy. But it quickly became an addiction. He tried to quit three times in seven months. The withdrawal was unbearable. Eventually, the emotional toll was too much, and kratom addiction led my husband to take his own life.

Kratom took his life. And it’s destroying others, too.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom is an herbal substance derived from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa. It's sold as a supplement for energy, mood, or opioid withdrawal — but it acts on the brain like opioids, and withdrawal from it mimics opioid withdrawal.

The FDA warns:

•Kratom is not approved for any medical use.
•It carries risks of addiction, toxicity, and organ damage.
•It is not legally marketed as a supplement — but is widely sold as one.
•Kratom products often contain heavy metals and salmonella.
•From 2014–2019, poison control centers received over 3,400 kratom-related calls. •In 2017 alone, 36 deaths were linked to kratom. 
•In 2022, 1.9 million Americans aged 12 and older reported using it.

Other Families Have Faced This Nightmare Too:

•Ian Mautner (age 20) took his own life in 2014 after becoming addicted to kratom purchased from kava bars. A toxicology report confirmed kratom in his system. His family believes kratom directly contributed to his death.

•John Eden (age 22), a Navy intelligence candidate, died by suicide in 2015. His suicide note referenced drugs — specifically kratom — as having ruined him. His family found kratom in his apartment and now advocates for reform.

•A 38-year-old woman addicted to kratom attempted suicide and was hospitalized. She had used it as a substitute for prescription opioids and developed severe dependency and withdrawal symptoms during recovery.

These are not isolated tragedies. Kratom is marketed as harmless — but it is destroying lives.

Other Places Have Banned Kratom — Why Haven’t We?

U.S. states where kratom is already banned:
Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin.

Cities and counties with bans/restrictions:
San Diego (CA), Denver (CO), Sarasota County (FL), Jerseyville (IL), and more.

Countries where kratom is illegal:
Australia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Israel, and many others.

Yet in most of the U.S., there are no rules or safeguards.

We Are Demanding a National Ban on Kratom.

We call on lawmakers and public health officials to:

1. Ban kratom and kratom-containing products nationwide.
2. Classify kratom and its compounds as controlled substances.
3. Protect families from further devastation.

My husband was a kind, loving, joyful, hardworking man. In addition to being a husband, he was a father, a son, a brother, a grandson, an uncle, a nephew, and a friend to all. He deserved better than to fall victim to an unregulated, addictive substance. Too many others have been lost — and too many more are at risk.

Please Sign and Share This Petition.

Help us urge lawmakers to ban kratom and kratom-containing products, and to protect lives.

Let’s prevent more families from experiencing this pain.

Thank you for standing with us.

*If you or a loved one has experienced an adverse reaction to kratom, please report it to the FDA:
https://www.fda.gov/medwatch
Your report could help save lives.