Braver Angels to meet Feb. 19 in Ocala

The Marion County Public Library Headquarters is at 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

Braver Angels is a national organization with a mission to strengthen democracy through civil discourse. The Ocala/Marion County Braver Angels alliance will meet at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Marion County Public Library Headquarters at 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.

“The Marion County Braver Angels alliance encourages courageous citizenship by facilitating conversations across the political divide. At our meeting next week, we will conduct a community forum on the effect of kratom on our community,” alliance member Buddy Oswald stated in the press release.

Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain compounds that can produce stimulant effects at low doses and opioid-like sedation at higher doses. While state law provides some regulation on the sale of kratom, the substance can be purchased locally at some gas stations, smoke shops and some health boutiques.

The “Gazette” and the News Service of Florida have previously reported on kratom at local and state levels. In August 2024, Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a ban prohibiting the alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, a derivative of kratom, which led to a legal battle that is still unfolding. At a Nov. 18 Ocala City Council meeting, Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano called for a ban of the sale of kratom within the city limits. At the time, Ocala City Manager Pete Lee said he did not know if the city could regulate kratom if it is not regulated by the state but that he would find out the status. A number of people attended the Dec. 2 council meeting to express opposition to the proposed ban. 

Some Florida cities and counties have instituted bans: Sarasota (2019), St. Johns County (2021) and Winter Park (2024).

According to the Braver Angels website, the group envisions “an America where courageous citizenship is the honored norm, renewing civic culture and building trust across political differences.” The local group first hosted a Navigating Difficult Conversations workshop in mid-November 2025 and has since been meeting monthly.

To learn more, go to braverangels.org or email [email protected]

For prior “Gazette” and News Service of Florida reporting on kratom, go to ocalagazette.com/kratom-conundrum and ocalagazette.com/fight-heats-up-over-ban-on-smoke-shop-product