Am I about to do something illegal?
Hopefully that’s not a question you find yourself asking very often. But if you are someone who has purchased Kratom Powder before, then you have in fact had to consider the legality of what you are doing. And if you are looking to buy Kratom for the first time, you should most definitely be researching if Kratom is legal in your area. One of the most common questions we hear is, “Is Kratom legal?” It can be difficult to get a straight answer to that question because the answer is complicated. This article will break down exactly what you need to know about the legal status of Kratom in the world and more importantly to you, in your area.
Where Does Kratom Powder Come From?
Kratom, also known as Mitragyna Speciosa, originates in Southeast Asia. Officially, it is classified under the coffee plant. Well coffee is certainly legal, right? I mean, it has to be one of the most popular beverages on the planet. You might even be sipping a cup of some fancy or even not so fancy coffee blend right now!
Just because Mitragyna Speciosa is scientifically grouped under the coffee plant, doesn’t mean it is not regulated. Let’s look at its origins. Most of the Kratom imported into the United States comes from Indonesia and Malaysia. Kratom trees are also native to Thailand, however Kratom was previously banned throughout the county. In a historic move, Thailand very recently reversed their decades long ban on Kratom and it is now legal!
This is a huge milestone for the Kratom community here in the United States as well as abroad. Whenever there is a legal victory for Kratom, it has the potential to open minds and legislation in other regions as well. Now, let’s explore why Kratom is illegal in some areas but not others.
Why is Kratom Illegal in Some Places?
The active ingredients in Kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7 HMG). These alkaloids are known to have an effect on our brain’s opiate receptors. Is that a good thing? A bad thing? Depends on who you ask.
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) decided to urgently make Kratom a Schedule 1 drug back in August 2016. This would put Kratom in the same legal category as heroin and cocaine! Fortunately, the backlash from the Kratom community and beyond was massive and unexpected by the DEA. They immediately withdrew their actions for an emergency ban to gather more information on Kratom and its potential. The DEA has yet to release a final verdict on what exactly they will do with Kratom. The future of this plant is unknown, which leaves its legal status in a somewhat murky area.
Is Kratom Powder Legal Where I Live?
Now, let’s get to what you probably really want to know. Since the DEA has not banned Kratom, it is currently legal in America. However, laws have been enacted that have made Kratom illegal in some states and even some cities within certain states. Here’s an infographic we have from speciosa.org that helps make some sense of all the different areas and their current legal status involving Kratom.
If you are looking for just a list of states and cities where Kratom is illegal, please check below. We will keep revising this list as things change. But if you are looking to buy Kratom in any of the areas below, please note it is currently banned and we are unable to ship to the following places:
- Alabama
- Arkanasas
- Indiana
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
- California – Kratom is legal in the state of California and only banned in the cities of San Diego and Oceanside
- Florida – Kratom is legal in the state of Florida and only banned in the city of Sarasota
- Illinois – Kratom is legal except for Jersey County
- Colorado – Kratom is legal in Colorado anywhere outside of Denver
- District of Colombia
- Mississippi – Kratom is legal in Mississippi except in Union County
In Conclusion
It can make your head spin if you think about all the different rules for so many different places! Of course the goal is for Kratom to become legal in every city and state in America. Until then, you can do your part by donating to the American Kratom Association today. They have been an always be our best advocates for Kratom! Hopefully, this article has cleared up any confusion about Kratom’s current legal status. If you have any other questions or comments, please let us know!
