HomeMy WebLinkAboutMcCann Email 02_28_2026ln Support of Kratom Ban
From Kelli McCann < kellianne.mccann@gmail.com >
Date sat 2026-02-28 10:42 AM
To Provos, Sara < SProvos@yarmouth.ma.us >
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Dear Members of the Board,
My name is Kelli McCann. I am writing in support of a ban of kratom in its entirety.
My son Benjamin Wilcock died from acute mitragynine intoxication (kratom) on 9112124 at 40
years of age. Nothing atypical was found in his autopsy. He took kratom to manage his
psoriatic arthritis pain. He was led to believe that it was a safe and healthy alternative to
prescription drugs and about as addictive as coffee. This belief cost him his life, and it cost me
my oldest child and only son.
Nothing atypical was found in Benjamin's autopsy. He used kratom to manage pain caused by
psoriatic arthritis and, like many others, was led to believe it was a safe, natural alternative to
prescription medication - as harmless as coffee. This false belief cost him his life and left our
family with indescribable heartbreak.
Although I live in Montana, I advocate nationally for banning kratom because this is not only a
state issue, but a humanity issue. Kratom is sold and shipped across the country. My son was
supplied kratom from an out of state vendor.
ln January, I spent the day with a journalist who overcame kratom addiction through medical
intervention. We visited my son's workplace to speak with his employees and to see the
memorial wall they created in his honor. Benjamin was a responsible, hard-working warehouse
operations manager for Coca-Cola. One of his employees recalled, "We knew Ben took kratom,
but we thought it was for health - he'd have a cup of tea each evening."
Kratom is falsely marketed as a safe and natural substance often referred to as "tea."." l've
since connected with many families whose stories are tragically similar. People have died, and
more will continue to die unless action is taken.
ln 2016, the DEA attempted to classify kratom as a controlled substance. Since then, the
situation has escalated - with more dangerous derivatives, rising deaths, addiction, and
adverse health effects. Autopsies, toxicology reports, and death certificates provide concrete,
indisputable evidence, and families like mine live this reality every day, fighting to prevent others
from the same fate.
Regulation alone will not protect the public. lt may even foster a false sense of safety and the
misconception that kratom-related issues have been resolved. There are countless websites
and social media videos teaching consumers how to increase kratom's potency. Below are just
a few examples accessible to both adults and minors, showing how kratom poses a serious
threat to public safety:
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Additional resources and articles about kratom's dangers are linked below. The first was created
by a pharmacist to educate and raise awareness.
http5J l44nry. mglhgsaga i nstherbalabuse.org/kratom-for-lawmakers.html
Hundreds died using kratom in Florida. lt was touted as safe. I Tam p_alBay fimgS
Can kratom kill? | Courthouse News Service
Addiction and the kratom business lCourthouse News Service
The kratom p_lgy!Apk-\4/Afi[S the refs I Courthouse News Service
The law and the plAfilg-lnsldelrclalds-plllaalude&Cly_l Courthouse News Service
The American Kratom Association is protecting the kratom industry with no regard for the lives
that have been lost to this substance. Mac Haddow, has repeatedly discredited coroners and
medical examiners, claiming that our loved ones did not die from kratom. The Association
played a major role in stopping the 2016 DEAs ban effort - a decision that has cost many
families, including mine, beyond measure. The DEA continues to list kratom as a "drug of
concern."
Please, do not allow these tragedies to continue. There are no alternatives to death. Please do
what is right and protect families from further loss.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Kelli McOann (Benjamin's mom)
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