Kratom Age Requirements: How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy Kratom Products

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Kratom is not FDA-approved, and its effects, risks, and legal status may vary by location. Always consult a healthcare professional before using kratom and check local laws to ensure compliance.

Kratom is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Kratom products are everywhere, appearing in local smoke shops, farmers’ markets, online stores, and even gas stations—in states where it’s legal, of course. 

In fact, the case of kratom legality is more complicated than some think. Since kratom is not regulated at the federal level, its legality and age requirements vary from state to state—even down to individual counties and cities. 

This guide breaks down the age restrictions and legal status of kratom across the U.S. Let’s dive in.

At the federal level, kratom remains legal but unregulated in the United States. Unlike controlled substances such as opioids or stimulants, kratom has not been classified as an illegal drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

However, its legal status remains a grey area due to ongoing debates over safety, potential risks, and lack of regulatory oversight.

• There are no federal laws restricting kratom’s sale, purchase, or possession. Anyone can buy or possess kratom in states where it is not explicitly banned.
• It is not classified as a controlled substance at the national level. The DEA has not added kratom to the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it is not federally considered illegal.
• States, counties, and cities (for instance, San Diego in California) create their own kratom laws. Since no federal regulations exist, each individual state—and even cities within states—can establish its own rules on kratom’s legality and age restrictions.

Kratom’s legal status came under scrutiny in 2016 when the DEA announced its intention to classify kratom as a Schedule I substance—placing it in the same category as heroin, LSD, and MDMA. The agency justified this proposal by citing:

• Potential safety concerns (including reports of adverse effects).
• Its interaction with opioid receptors (raising fears of dependency and misuse).
• Reports of kratom being involved in multiple overdose cases (though these cases often involved other substances).

However, this proposal was met with immediate and intense opposition from kratom consumers, scientists, advocacy groups, and even members of Congress. 

The American Kratom Association (AKA) led a widespread movement against the ban, gathering over 140,000 signatures in a petition and mobilizing scientific experts to argue that kratom required more research before being classified as a dangerous substance.

Due to the overwhelming public backlash and pushback from the scientific community, the DEA withdrew from its plan to ban kratom. Instead, they urged the FDA to conduct further research into kratom’s safety profile. 

This shifted responsibility to individual states and local governments, leaving kratom regulation a patchwork of different laws across the country.

Recognizing the need for safer and better-regulated kratom products, the American Kratom Association (AKA) and industry advocates introduced the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), a state-level legislation that aims to:

✔️ Ensure safe and legal access to kratom.

✔️ Regulate kratom sales and distribution.

✔️ Protect consumers from contaminated, adulterated, or mislabeled products.

Unlike federal regulations, the KCPA must be adopted by each state.

The key regulations introduced in the KCPA include:

• Age Restrictions on Kratom Sales. The KCPA sets a minimum age requirement for buying kratom—typically 18 or 21 years, depending on the state. This ensures that minors cannot legally purchase kratom, reducing the risk of underage consumption and misuse.
• Testing & Labeling Requirements. Lack of quality control is one of the biggest concerns with kratom. The KCPA mandates that all kratom products must be labeled appropriately, third-party lab-tested, and free from synthetic additives.
• Regulations of Sales & Distribution. The KCPA requires kratom vendors to follow strict guidelines when selling and distributing products, including prohibiting adulterated kratom products and banning false advertising or misleading health claims.

The KCPA imposes fines and penalties on vendors who don’t comply with these regulations. This discourages the sale of low-quality or unsafe kratom and ensures that consumers have access to pure, uncontaminated products.

To make things easy, here’s a state-by-state breakdown of kratom laws and age requirements.

Where to Buy Kratom

If you live in a state where kratom is legal and are of legal age to buy kratom, you have several options:

• Online vendors – Many reputable kratom sellers provide lab-tested products with transparent sourcing.
• Local smoke shops – Some retailers sell kratom, but quality control varies. Always verify product authenticity.
• Farmers’ markets & wellness stores – Some states have specialty shops that carry kratom from trusted sources.

Always buy kratom from a reliable, lab-tested source to ensure purity and safety.

Although legal at the federal level, kratom remains unregulated, meaning it’s up to individual states to define its legal status within their borders. Some states enforce strict regulations, while others have left kratom unregulated. 

This is why, before you buy kratom, be sure you:

• check your state’s laws;
• verify the vendor’s credibility;
• and prioritize lab-tested products.

If you’re unsure about kratom or its effects, consult a healthcare professional before making a decision. Stay informed, stay safe, and always buy from trusted sources. Feel free to explore Authentic Kratom for more information about kratom. 

Disclaimer: Kratom’s legal status changes frequently, and laws vary between states, counties, and cities. The information presented here is accurate at the time of writing but may not reflect recent legal updates. Always verify kratom’s legality in your specific area before purchasing or using it.

Sources

1. https://www.americankratom.org/aka-in-your-state
2. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-kratom