Do you keep hearing about kratom but have no idea what it is or even if it is legal? Kratom has gained popularity for helping individuals reach a euphoric state while also providing the energy needed to get through the day.
But not all states are keen on the compound and even the federal government seems to flip-flop on what they should do with it. So the question arises, is kratom illegal? Well, it depends on where you live.
Here is everything you need to know about whether kratom is illegal in your state or not.
Is Kratom Illegal Federally?
As of 2021, kratom is not regulated in the United States on a federal level. This falls into the same category as supplements where companies must get approval to sell kratom, but don’t need to guarantee the safety or potency of the item.
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has stated that they don’t recommend kratom for human consumption. Kratom has shown signs of addictive properties, which has led the DEA to consider labeling the supplement as a controlled substance.
But until then, if you encounter federal police and are in a state where kratom is legal, they can’t arrest you for having it.
States That Have Legalized Kratom
Certain states have passed their own Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) as a way to regulate the sales of kratom and ensure the safety of the people using it. Because of the kratom being bought online mostly, this can lead to products that are laced with harmful ingredients or improper dosages.
The KCPA in each state determines the age that someone can buy kratom and what the quality of testing should look like for kratom.
Currently, there are four states that have passed their KCPA.
Those states are:
- Nevada
- Utah
- Arizona
- Georgia
In each of these states, you can buy kratom online or from local shops. This list is expected to expand throughout 2021 with Florida and Oregon in talks to pass their KCPA.
States With No Regulations on Kratom
There are other states that haven’t bothered to look into what they want to do with kratom. In these states, everything tends to be unregulated and that could be a good or bad thing, depending on your experience.
Certain states might not look kindly to it and will stop the processing of shipments to you. Others might not care at all.
Currently, there are 32 states that have little to no regulation on kratom.
Those states are:
- Alaska
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Again, this doesn’t mean that kratom will be okay when bought online. This only means that there is no true legality over the product and it could still be seized during shipping.
States That Have Cities or Counties That Have Banned Kratom
In certain states, the local governments have taken a stance against kratom. They have either set an age limit for who can buy kratom or have banned it in certain cities or counties.
Those states that have set age requirements for the substance include:
- Illinois – You must be over the age of 18 to buy kratom
- New Hampshire – You must be 18 or older to purchase kratom
- Tennessee – You need to be 21 or older to purchase kratom
Then there are counties or cities that have outright banned kratom.
These states include:
- California – It is banned in San Diego, but you can still purchase it in the rest of the state
- Colorado – Denver banned the consumption of kratom, but the rest of the state has not
- Florida – Sarasota County banned the substance, but otherwise, you can purchase it in the rest of the state
- Illinois – The city of Jerseyville made kratom illegal
- Mississippi – Union County banned kratom, but the rest of the state is open to the purchase of kratom
So if you’re traveling to any of those cities in that state, make sure you don’t have kratom on you as the local police can detain you for it.
States Where Kratom Is Illegal
Then there are states that have outright barred the substance. While this might change down the road, kratom can not be shipped to these states. Those that try might find their packages seized and a fine sent in the mail.
The states where it is illegal to purchase kratom include:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
If you want to find out more on why these states banned kratom and know which states have a chance of repealing this ban, then be sure to check out the link.
Why Is Kratom Illegal In Certain States?
Kratom, like nicotine and other controlled substances, has an addictive nature. Not only is it addictive, but people also have a tendency to build up a tolerance extremely fast.
Whereas you might start off with a simple dosage of 500 milligrams your first time around, people quickly get into 3 gram dosages to feel the same effect as the first time. This makes people look for higher potency strains as a way to combat having to take more.
When kratom was used in the tropics of Asia, the leaves were added to teas or knawed on throughout the day. Because of the unrefined nature of leaves, the effects were minimal and people didn’t experience the same negative side effects that users of powder have experienced.
Is Kratom Illegal? Depends on Where You Are At
So, is kratom illegal? On a federal level, it is not illegal. But the FDA and DEA are both cracking down on the substance to ensure that it doesn’t become a public health problem as smoking has.
On a state level, it all comes down to the state and even the city you’re in.
If you want to learn more about kratom and the history of it, be sure to check out the rest of the blog. Know someone interested in kratom? Share this article with them first so they know what they’re getting into.
