Kelly Dunn - Founder of Urban Ice Botanicals and Kratom Advocate
Kelly Dunn is the founder of Urban Ice Botanicals and a recognized advocate for kratom education, research, and consumer awareness. His journey began in 2004 when he traveled through Indonesia and encountered kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, for the first time. Seeing how Southeast Asian communities used the plant as part of their daily lives inspired him to introduce kratom to American consumers through a responsible, transparent, and quality-focused approach. That vision first took shape through Urban Ice Organics, which was later shut down under that name after the State of California restricted the use of “organic” and related terms in business names. Since then, Kelly has continued serving customers under Urban Ice Botanicals, with a stronger focus on premium botanical products, lab-tested kratom, and responsible consumer access.
For more than two decades, Kelly has played an active role in advancing the kratom industry through advocacy, research support, and public education. He produced A Leaf of Faith and funded early University of Florida kratom research led by Dr. Chris McCurdy. Today, Urban Ice Botanicals remains one of the longest-running kratom distributors in the United States, continuing Kelly's mission to promote consumer education, support scientific research, and provide lab-tested botanical products backed by transparency and responsible industry practices.
Awards, Certifications, and Industry Recognition
Kelly Dunn has received industry recognition for his contributions to kratom research, consumer advocacy, and scientific advancement. He was presented with the inaugural Champion for Kratom Science Award in recognition of his continued support for kratom research, including providing raw leaf material to researchers and investing proceeds from A Leaf of Faith in scientific studies that helped generate data for federally funded research programs. Kelly is also recognized as a member of the American Kratom Association Legacy Advocate Hall of Fame, which honors the pioneers who helped protect consumer access to kratom during critical regulatory challenges and played a leading role in building and strengthening the modern kratom community.
Kelly Dunn's Journey Into Kratom
Kelly Dunn's journey into kratom spans more than two decades and reflects his commitment to education, advocacy, and responsible industry practices. From his first introduction to kratom in Southeast Asia to his work supporting research, consumer awareness, and industry standards in the United States, Kelly has played an active role in helping shape the growth and development of the modern kratom community.
2004
2015+
Kelly Dunn’s work with kratom expanded beyond distribution when he began supporting scientific research in the mid-2010s. He provided early funding for kratom research at the University of Florida under Dr. Chris McCurdy, helping researchers study the plant through evidence, testing, and academic review.
That early support helped establish a research program that later received $3.5 million from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The program has since produced more than 190 published scientific papers on kratom’s pharmacology, safety, and potential role in opioid-related research.
2016, 2018
Urban Ice gained mainstream attention through two notable appearances connected to The Joe Rogan Experience. In 2016, filmmaker Chris Bell discussed kratom on JRE Episode #876 and brought an Urban Ice product to the studio, helping introduce the brand to a much wider audience during a major moment for kratom awareness.
In 2018, JRE Episode #1136 featured Joe Rogan and Hamilton Morris discussing kratom in more detail. During the episode, Joe Rogan picked up and examined a product from Urban Ice. These appearances helped bring kratom into broader public conversation, while the brand continues to clarify that Hamilton Morris and Chris Bell are not affiliated with or endorsing Urban Ice Botanicals.
2018
When the DEA attempted to emergency-schedule kratom as a Schedule I substance in 2016, Kelly Dunn partnered with filmmaker Chris Bell to help document the public conversation around kratom and the people who supported access to the plant. This collaboration led to A Leaf of Faith, a full-length documentary directed by Chris Bell and produced by Kelly Dunn.
Released in 2018, A Leaf of Faith brought kratom into a broader mainstream discussion through film. The documentary premiered at the Dances With Films Festival, was acquired by Netflix for worldwide streaming, and holds a 7.2/10 rating on IMDb, making it one of the most visible media projects connected to kratom awareness and advocacy.
Today
Today, Kelly Dunn continues to support the kratom community through advocacy, research, consumer education, and responsible industry practices. Through Urban Ice Botanicals, he remains committed to promoting transparency, upholding quality standards, and ensuring informed access to botanical products, while supporting ongoing conversations about kratom science and public policy.
More than two decades after first discovering kratom, Kelly's mission remains focused on helping consumers make informed decisions and supporting efforts that advance research, accountability, and product quality across the industry. His work continues through Urban Ice Botanicals, one of the longest-running kratom companies in the United States.
How Did Kelly Dunn Contribute to the Kratom Industry?
Kelly Dunn has contributed to the growth and development of the kratom industry through advocacy, research support, consumer education, and quality-focused business practices. His efforts have helped increase public awareness of kratom while encouraging discussions based on scientific research, transparency, and responsible access.
Kelly's contributions include co-founding the American Kratom Association, funding early kratom research at the University of Florida, producing A Leaf of Faith, and helping establish quality standards that support consumer confidence. Through Urban Ice Botanicals, he continues to promote education, research, and responsible industry practices that support the long-term growth of the kratom community.
Connect With Kelly Dunn and Urban Ice Botanicals
Kelly Dunn's commitment to kratom education, scientific research, and consumer advocacy continues through Urban Ice Botanicals. What began with his first introduction to kratom has grown into over 20 years of work supporting responsible access, quality standards, and greater public understanding of the plant. Through his leadership, Urban Ice Botanicals continues to uphold the values of transparency, product quality, and consumer trust that have guided the company since its earliest days.
Today, Urban Ice Botanicals remains one of the longest-running kratom companies in the United States, providing lab-tested botanical products while supporting ongoing research and industry accountability. Whether through advocacy, education, or quality-focused business practices, Kelly remains dedicated to advancing the kratom community and helping consumers make informed decisions.
