Ocala’s debate over kratom is intensifying as residents rally behind a downtown tea bar and the natural leaf products it serves. In a recent collection of letters, patrons of Muddy Lotus Tea described the venue as a rare alcohol-free gathering place that supports sobriety, community, and recovery. Several writers criticized Mayor Ben Marciano for, in their view, conflating natural kratom with more potent, synthetic derivatives sold in gas stations and vape shops.
Some residents said kratom tea eased chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia after conventional medications failed, allowing them to return to work, family life, and creative pursuits. Others argued that responsible adult use, ID checks, and clear differentiation between plant-based products and concentrates would be a better approach than an outright ban. The full set of letters appears at Ocala-News.com.
