2018 Documentary

A Leaf of Faith: The Kratom Documentary That Changed Everything

A Leaf of Faith is a 2018 feature documentary exploring kratom — its science, its history, and the government's attempt to ban it. Directed by Chris Bell (Bigger, Stronger, Faster*, Prescription Thugs) and produced by Urban Ice Botanicals founder Kelly Dunn, the film premiered on Netflix and holds a 7.2/10 rating on IMDb.

It is widely credited within the kratom community as a pivotal moment in keeping kratom legal in the United States during the DEA's 2016 emergency scheduling attempt.

Watch the trailer for A Leaf of Faith — the documentary that helped keep kratom legal

The Story Behind the Film

In 2016, the DEA announced an emergency measure to classify kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance — the same category as heroin. The kratom community had 30 days to respond. Kelly Dunn, who had been distributing kratom in the US for over a decade, reached out to filmmaker Chris Bell to document what kratom actually was and who was actually using it.

The result was A Leaf of Faith — featuring interviews with kratom users, medical researchers, policy advocates, and Dr. Chris McCurdy of the University of Florida, whose lab Kelly had already funded for initial kratom research.

The film premiered at Dances With Films Festival, was acquired by Netflix for worldwide streaming, and is now available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and YouTube.

Where to Watch A Leaf of Faith

Available on multiple streaming platforms

What Happened After the Film

Dr. Chris McCurdy, featured in the documentary, went on to receive two multimillion-dollar federal grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to continue kratom research — including a $3.5 million grant in 2018. His team has now published 190+ peer-reviewed studies on kratom's pharmacology.¹

The emergency DEA scheduling attempt was withdrawn. Kratom remains legal at the federal level today, with 40+ states having enacted or considered the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.

About the Producer — Kelly Dunn

Kelly Dunn is the founder of Urban Ice Botanicals and co-founder of the American Kratom Association. For over 20 years he has been one of the most active advocates for kratom research, consumer safety, and responsible access in the United States.

Shop the lab-tested, AKA cGMP compliant kratom from the team that produced A Leaf of Faith.

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FAQ

Common questions about A Leaf of Faith

Q: What is A Leaf of Faith about?

A Leaf of Faith is a 2018 documentary exploring kratom — its traditional use, scientific profile, and the 2016 DEA emergency scheduling attempt that nearly made it illegal. It features medical researchers, advocacy leaders, and real kratom users.

Q: Who directed and produced A Leaf of Faith?

The film was directed by Chris Bell (Bigger, Stronger, Faster*) and produced by Kelly Dunn, founder of Urban Ice Botanicals and co-founder of the American Kratom Association.

Q: Where can I watch A Leaf of Faith?

The documentary is available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. It was originally acquired by Netflix for worldwide streaming. See the links in the "Where to Watch" section above.

Q: Did A Leaf of Faith help keep kratom legal?

The film is widely credited within the kratom advocacy community as a key public education tool during the DEA's 2016 emergency scheduling attempt. The DEA subsequently withdrew that attempt. The documentary also helped raise the profile of ongoing academic research at the University of Florida.

Disclaimer: A Leaf of Faith is an independently produced documentary and is not a medical or legal endorsement of kratom use. The views expressed in the film belong to the individuals featured. Kratom is not FDA-approved to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Urban Ice Botanicals makes no medical claims. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before using kratom or any botanical supplement.