Note: This post doesn’t hold legal information. It has only general up-to-date details related to kratom use in most states. It’s important to do your research and consult someone with expertise in the legalities and use of drugs. Always check federal, local, and state laws to understand the consumption, buying, and sale of kratom.
Defining Kratom
Kratom is the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia with mitragynine and 7-OH-mitragynine. These two substances are the reasons for controversies around kratom. Mitragynine produces stimulating effects in low doses and opioid-like effects at higher doses.
People like to consume kratom in various ways such as capsules, powders, tablets, dried and crushed leaves, and extract forms. The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has classified it as a “drug of concern” and labeled it as an herbal product that needs regulation and surveillance. However, nearly 2 Million Americans are using, (kratom) a substance that is banned in multiple states.
In this article, we will discuss the legality of kratom, states where kratom is illegal, kratom bans, and other laws related to it.
Is Kratom Legal?
Kratom legality varies by country and, in some cases, within regions of a country. In the United States, kratom is legal at the federal level but banned in certain states and cities. Its legality status is a bit complicated.
Internationally, some countries, like Thailand and Malaysia, have banned it, while others allow it with restrictions. It’s important to check local laws to determine whether kratom is legal in your area.
Kratom is labeled as a controlled substance and added in the “drug of concern” section in six US states. Buying, selling, consuming, or growing in these states is illegal.
However, it is legal in some US states and has an age limit to consume. For instance in Florida, the sale of kratom to anyone under 21 is banned, same in Sarasota County.
List of States Where Kratom is Banned
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Rhode Island
- Wisconsin
List of States Where Kratom is Legal, But With Limitations
- Tennessee: Kratom is legal for those over 21 years old.
- Illinois: It is legal for those over 18 years old, except in Jerseyville where it is banned.
- Florida: It is legal to use in Florida but has an age limit of 21 years old. Also, kratom is banned in Sarasota County.
- Colorado: kratom is legal in Colorado except in Denver, where it is labeled as “illegal for human use”.
- Mississippi: It is legal but banned in Union County.
- New Hampshire: kratom is legal but has an age limit of 18 years old.
What is KCPA? And the states where kratom is protected.
KCPA stands for Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which protects the regulation, sale, and labeling of kratom products in all forms (capsules, tablets, extracts, powder, etc). It is also to ensure the quality of kratom that consumers receive.
In some states, kratom is protected by KCPA including, Arizona, Oklahoma, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Nevada, and West Virginia.
Kratom and FDA
FDA doesn’t approve any kratom products due to its main ingredients, mitragynine and 7-OH-mitragynine which have the potential for abuse and addiction. It can also pose some serious effects including liver damage, confusion of the mind, constipation, and others. With extreme use, it can cause seizures.
However, all states have their own rules and regulations related to the use of kratom. You can check state health and law enforcement agencies to better understand applicable laws.
For more details about the FDA and Kratom: Read Here.
What is the International Status of Kratom?
1. North America:
Kratom is illegal for human use in Canada, however, it’s mainly marketed as incense. The laws in Canada are quite similar to Denver and Colorado.
In North and Central Latin American countries, kratom is not restricted or banned. They also don’t have a legal status of kratom.
2. South America:
Most South American countries have no laws about kratom, neither it is prohibited or banned. In Brazil, you can easily find kratom in stores and gas stations.
3. South Africa:
Most people in Africa don’t recognize kratom so the legality of kratom is not clear. They don’t have any regulations or laws related to kratom. The governments in South Africa don’t prohibit kratom and don’t pose any medical on this botanical herb.
4. Asia:
In Asia, the status of kratom varies from country to country. Here is a list of countries that have explicitly banned kratom;
- Israel
- Japan
- Myanmar
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Vietnam
In China, kratom’s legality is uncertain, except in Hong Kong where people highly consume kratom and it is also labeled as legal.
Thailand was one of the first countries that banned the production and growth of kratom in 1943, but a lot has changed since then. In 2018, the regulations changed as the Narcotics Act of 1979 considered the potential medicinal use of kratom.
5. Australia & New Zealand:
Australia has an apparent policy regarding kratom, it is banned in all forms.
In New Zealand, Kratom is classified as a Schedule 1 substance, making its import and export illegal. However, it can still be prescribed locally.
6. Europe:
In some European countries, kratom is banned like Finland, Lithuania, Poland, Denmark, Latvia, Romania, Sweden, and Russia. However, for other countries like Ireland, UK, and Italy, we don’t have clear information. You can check local laws before consuming or exporting kratom.
Bottom Line:
Kratom Legality varies all around the world. It is still in discussion among authorities as it has many benefits for the body and mind but also has the potential to add other severe damage.
If you have done proper research and looking for kratom online, try Occurs Naturally kratom tablets that are available in 3 types (relax, energy, focus). You can get 20mg per tablet in a pack of 6 servings.
At Occurs Naturally, we source the highest botanical ingredients to ensure that our product is safe, effective, and ethically sourced.
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