In the quiet aftermath of war, many American veterans face a different kind of battle—one waged not with bullets or bombs, but with chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a healthcare system that often leaves them struggling for relief. For some, the Southeast Asian plant kratom has become a lifeline, offering hope where prescription opioids and traditional therapies have failed. Now, a proposed Louisiana law threatens to criminalize this alternative, igniting a fierce debate over science, safety, and the rights of those who have served.
From Battlefield to Bureaucracy: A Veteran’s Journey
Marlon Chouccoli’s story, as recounted in a recent guest column for NOLA.com, is emblematic of the challenges faced by many veterans. After two tours in Iraq and an honorable discharge, Chouccoli’s transition to civilian life in Thibodaux, Louisiana, was marred by injury, chronic pain, and a dependency on prescription opioids. Like countless others, he found himself caught in a cycle of escalating medication, culminating in a near-fatal overdose and a stint in rehab.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which has historically relied on opioids for pain management, prescribed Chouccoli hydrocodone and later oxycodone, with little in the way of holistic support or tapering plans. His experience reflects a broader trend: according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans are more likely than the general population to suffer from chronic pain and are frequently prescribed opioid medications, putting them at increased risk for addiction and overdose.
The Kratom Alternative
It was during his recovery that Chouccoli discovered kratom, a botanical substance derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, native to Southeast Asia. Used for centuries in its home region, kratom has gained popularity in the United States as a self-managed remedy for pain, anxiety, and opioid withdrawal. According to the American Kratom Association, millions of Americans use kratom, often as an alternative to prescription painkillers.
Chouccoli’s experience is not unique. He describes how kratom allowed him to taper off Suboxone—a medication used to treat opioid dependence—within two weeks, helping him regain clarity and function without the fog of pharmaceuticals. “Kratom isn’t a miracle or a cure. It’s a tool that helped me reclaim control,” he writes. For Chouccoli and many others, kratom represents not just relief from pain, but a chance to rebuild their lives.
The Push for Prohibition
Despite these personal testimonies, Louisiana lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 154, which would classify kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance, placing it alongside heroin and LSD. This designation is reserved for substances with “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,” according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Proponents of the bill, led by Sen. Jay Morris (R-West Monroe), argue that kratom poses significant health risks and lacks sufficient regulation. Critics, however, contend that such a move is not supported by scientific evidence or the lived experiences of those who rely on the plant for relief. As Chouccoli notes, “If SB 154 becomes law, it won’t jail traffickers. It will jail people like me. It will criminalize working people in pain. It will push kratom underground, replacing regulation with risk.”
What Does the Science Say?
The debate over kratom’s safety and efficacy is complex. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about kratom, citing concerns over its potential for abuse, addiction, and contamination in unregulated products (FDA Consumer Update). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported cases of kratom-involved overdose deaths, although these often involve the presence of other substances (CDC Kratom Report).
However, a growing body of research suggests that kratom’s risks may be lower than those of traditional opioids. A 2020 review published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that while kratom can produce dependence and withdrawal symptoms, they are generally milder than those associated with opioids (Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2020). Furthermore, many users report using kratom specifically to reduce or eliminate opioid use.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) acknowledges the need for more research but notes that “kratom appears to have properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and dependence,” while also highlighting anecdotal reports of its use for self-managing opioid withdrawal (NIDA Kratom DrugFacts).
Regulation vs. Criminalization
Chouccoli and other advocates do not oppose regulation. In fact, many support measures such as age restrictions, product labeling, and quality control standards to ensure consumer safety. The American Kratom Association has called for the adoption of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which has been enacted in several states to regulate kratom sales without imposing outright bans.
Criminalization, they argue, would not eliminate demand but would instead drive the market underground, increasing the risks of adulteration and unregulated products. This concern is echoed by public health experts, who warn that prohibition can exacerbate the harms associated with substance use by removing legal, regulated options (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health).
The Human Cost
For veterans like Chouccoli, the stakes are personal. “When I testified before the House Health and Welfare Committee this spring, I shared my story. Others did too. We were ignored. The bill advanced. Once again, veterans were honored in words but dismissed in policy,” he writes. The disconnect between political rhetoric and policy reality is a source of frustration for many in the veteran community, who feel that their needs are too often overlooked.
Chouccoli’s story is a reminder that behind every policy debate are real people, struggling to find relief and dignity in the face of pain and trauma. He now volunteers with his church, supports the unhoused, and serves in local veterans’ organizations—a life rebuilt, in part, thanks to kratom.
Looking Forward
As Louisiana lawmakers weigh the future of kratom, the outcome will have implications far beyond the state’s borders. The debate raises fundamental questions about the role of government in regulating substances, the balance between public health and personal autonomy, and the responsibility to support those who have served.
Chouccoli’s plea is clear: “If we are called heroes, honor us with more than words. Honor us with a policy rooted in truth, compassion, and dignity.” For many veterans and chronic pain sufferers, the fight for access to kratom is about more than a plant—it is about the right to choose the tools that help them heal.