Kelly Dunn — The Man Who Helped Save Kratom
Founder of Urban Ice Botanicals. Co-Founder of the American Kratom Association. Producer of A Leaf of Faith.
Kelly Dunn
Founder of Urban Ice Botanicals • Co-Founder of the American Kratom Association • Producer of A Leaf of Faith
Over 20 years ago, Kelly Dunn traveled through Indonesia and encountered the kratom plant Mitragyna speciosa for the first time. Southeast Asian communities had been using it for centuries to manage fatigue, pain, and the demands of physical labor. Captivated by what he witnessed, Kelly returned to the United States with a mission: to make this plant available responsibly and transparently to American consumers.
He built what would become one of the oldest and most trusted kratom distributors in the country.
Building the Industry's Foundation
Two decades of advocacy, research, and consumer protection
It Started in Indonesia
Kelly Dunn traveled through Indonesia and encountered kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) for the first time. Witnessing its traditional use in Southeast Asian communities, he recognized the need for responsible, transparent access in the United States.
He founded Urban Ice Botanicals, establishing one of the first quality-focused kratom distribution operations in the country.
The AKA & The DEA Battle
As kratom grew in the US, so did confusion, misinformation, and unregulated vendors. Kelly co-founded the American Kratom Association (AKA) to establish standards, protect consumers, and create the Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) framework that responsible vendors now follow.
The Joe Rogan Experience
As part of the effort to bring kratom into mainstream awareness, filmmaker Chris Bell appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience (Episode #876) in November 2016 to discuss kratom — and shared Urban Ice product with Joe on-air.
The response was immediate: our website crashed under the volume of incoming orders within hours.
Read the full JRE storyA Leaf of Faith Documentary
When the DEA attempted to emergency-schedule kratom as a Schedule I substance in 2016, Kelly partnered with filmmaker Chris Bell (Bigger, Stronger, Faster*) to document the truth about kratom and the millions of Americans whose lives it had changed.
The result was A Leaf of Faith — a full-length documentary directed by Chris Bell and produced by Kelly Dunn.
Widely credited with helping keep kratom legal in the United States.
Funding the Science
In the mid-2010s, Kelly provided early funding to support kratom research at the University of Florida under Dr. Chris McCurdy. That initial investment helped establish a research program that later received $3.5 million from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
The program has produced over 190 published scientific papers on kratom's pharmacology, safety, and potential for opioid treatment.
Urban Ice Botanicals Today
Two decades later, the mission is unchanged. Every batch of Urban Ice Botanicals kratom is independently third-party tested for heavy metals, microbial safety, and alkaloid potency. Every product ships with a Certificate of Analysis. Every manufacturing process follows AKA cGMP standards — because we helped establish those standards.
A Leaf of Faith (2018)
The documentary that helped keep kratom legal
Directed by Chris Bell. Produced by Kelly Dunn.
When the DEA attempted to emergency-schedule kratom as a Schedule I substance in 2016, Kelly partnered with filmmaker Chris Bell to document the truth about kratom and the millions of Americans whose lives it had changed.
2016 — The Joe Rogan Experience
As part of the effort to bring kratom into mainstream awareness, Chris Bell appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience (Episode #876) in November 2016 to discuss kratom — and shared Urban Ice product with Joe on-air.
Urban Ice Botanicals Today
Two decades later, the mission is unchanged. Every batch is independently third-party tested. Every product ships with a Certificate of Analysis. Every process follows AKA cGMP standards — because we helped establish those standards.
We don't just sell kratom. We've spent 20 years protecting your right to access it.
FAQ
Q: Who is Kelly Dunn?
Kelly Dunn is the founder of Urban Ice Botanicals, co-founder of the American Kratom Association, and producer of the documentary A Leaf of Faith. He has been one of the most active figures in kratom advocacy, research funding, and consumer safety for over 20 years.
Q: What is the American Kratom Association?
The AKA is the leading kratom consumer advocacy organization in the United States. It established the cGMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certification program that sets safety and quality standards for the kratom industry. Urban Ice Botanicals is a certified AKA cGMP vendor.
Q: How is Urban Ice Botanicals kratom tested?
Every batch is independently third-party tested for heavy metals, microbial contamination, and alkaloid potency. A Certificate of Analysis ships with every product. Urban Ice Botanicals is fully AKA cGMP compliant.
Kratom is not FDA-approved to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Statements on this page regarding kratom research, documentary content, and advocacy history are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before using kratom or any botanical supplement.
