For many centuries, kratom has been used across South East Asia for many reasons, like stimulating, sedative and medicinal properties. Made from the leaves of a native tropical tree, its popularity in the USA can be traced back to soldiers who used it in the Vietnam War, and also to an increase in immigration from South East Asia in the sixties and seventies. Do you want to know about kratom legal status in us?
In low doses it can be used as a stimulant, whilst higher doses are said to have a soothing effect. There are a number of similarities in both kratom and cannabis.
In the USA, Kratom is mostly available in many forms, like powder, resin or also in capsule form. It is typically taken by mixing it with many things, like drinks or foodstuffs, such as tea or yogurt.
If you are using kratom, you should always purchase it from a reputable source, in a pure, natural and unadulterated form.
Potential Benefits and Risks of Kratom
Although Supporters of kratom praise it for its mind-altering, mood-enhancing, and relief properties.
Opponents mention the potential side effects and also dangers of the drug. Many users of kratom are unaffected or only experience minor discomfort, but also usage may be linked to nausea, hallucinations and seizure.
Critics also point to the risks like addiction, dependence and abuse, and that kratom might be a gateway to more serious drugs.
Kratom Legal Status Map - State By State
The legal status of kratom varies state by state. Kratom is legal in 44 states and in Washington DC, although in seven of those 44 states, it is subject to certain restrictions, limitations and some specific county/city/town bans.
Kratom is currently banned in just in six American states.
Before purchasing kratom, you should always check the legality to do so in your state. In particular, you must be aware that a number of counties, cities and towns because they have introduced their own bans, even when kratom is legal at state level.
Moreover, some states forbid the sale of kratom to minors. You should always be aware legal status of kratom in state's regulations if you are ordering online or crossing state lines when in possession of kratom.
A number of states have passed - or are actively considering - the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Under this act, vendors are obliged to comply with a range of regulations on packaging, product testing, manufacture, distribution. sales and so on.
This is a sensible and welcome development for all sides of the debate: vendors, users, distributors, manufacturers, regulators and legislators.
Finally it is worth noting that legislation for and also a against kratom is pending in several states, so always check with your local legislature for the latest developments.
States Where Kratom Status Is Legal In US
Alaska
Kratom is fully legal in Alaska, and no legislation is pending as of late 2020.
Arizona
Kratom is fully legal in Arizona. There was a proposal to ban kratomin 2014, but it was defeated. In 2019, Arizona passed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
California (with some restrictions)
Kratom is legal everywhere in California apart from San Diego, where a bill to ban it was passed in 2016.
Colorado (with some restrictions)
For the most part, kratom is essentially legal in Colorado. However,the sale of kratom for “human consumption” is banned in Denver, andsales are also banned or restricted in a number of other towns.
Connecticut
Status of Kratom is fully legal in Connecticut, and no legislation is pending as of late 2020.
Delaware
Kratom is fully legal in Delaware, and no legislation is pending as of late 2020.
Florida (with some restrictions)
Kratom is legal in Florida apart from in Sarasota County, whichbanned sales of Kratom in 2014, citing concerns about potential addiction and it being a gateway drug.
Georgia
A bill to ban kratom in 2018 was defeated. In 2020, Georgia becamethe third state to ratify the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which was passed unanimously.
Hawaii
Kratom is fully legal in Hawaii, but as of late 2020, legislation to ban or restrict sales is pending.
Idaho
Kratom is fully legal in Idaho, but as of late 2020, legislation ispending on labelling, vendor registration and sales to minors.
Illinois (with some restrictions)
Kratom is legal for people aged over 18 except in Jerseyville Cityand Alton. As of late 2020, legislation is pending to amend the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, list kratom as a Schedule II drug, and also repeal the Kratom Control Act.
However, the state is also considering the implementation of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
Iowa
Kratom is fully legal in Iowa, and no legislation is pending as of late 2020. In 2014, a bill to ban Kratom was defeated.
Kansas
Kratom is fully legal in Kansas. In 2018, a move to criminalize Kratom was defeated. As of late 2020, Kansas is reviewing the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
Kentucky
Kratom is fully legal in Kentucky. A number of bills to outlaw kratom in the state have been defeated over the years, but as of late 2020, but some legislators are still pushing for a ban.
Louisiana
Despite numerous attempts to ban it, Kratom Status remains fully legal in Louisiana. In 2019, a bill was passed to ban kratom in the event thatthe DEA schedules it. As of late 2020, legislation is pending regarding the distribution of kratom products.
Maine
Kratom is fully legal in Maine. In 2017, a bill to ban kratom did not pass. As of late 2020, Maine is considering the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
Maryland
Kratom is fully legal in Maryland. However, as of late 2020, there is pending legislation to ban kratom.
Massachusetts
Kratom is fully legal in Massachusetts, and no legislation is pending as of late 2020.
Michigan
Several attempts have been made in the past to ban Kratom, but itremains fully legal in Michigan. However, as of late 2020, legislationis pending to make kratom a Schedule II drug.
Minnesota
Kratom is fully legal in Minnesota, although it is an offence to sell the drug to minors. No legislation is pending as of late 2020.
Mississippi (with some restrictions)
Kratom is banned in a long list of counties and cities in Mississippi, with further debate else where in the state. However,various attempts to ban it state-wide have been unsuccessful.
Missouri
Kratom is fully legal in Missouri. In 2020, legislators unanimously implemented the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, although some counties continue to contemplate a ban.
Montana
Kratom is fully legal in Montana, and no legislation is pending as of late 2020.
Nebraska
Kratom is fully legal in Nebraska, and no legislation is pending as of late 2020.
Nevada
Kratom is fully legal in Nevada, and no legislation is pending as oflate 2020. In 2019, legislators passed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
New Hampshire (with some restrictions)
Outside of Franklin City, Kratom is fully legal for over 18s in New Hampshire. In 2020, a bill to ban kratom failed to pass.
New Jersey
Kratom is fully legal in New Jersey. Several unsuccessful attemptshave been made to ban kratom, and those efforts are ongoing as of late2020.
New Mexico
Kratom is fully legal in New Mexico, and no legislation is pending as of late 2020.
New York
Kratom is fully legal in New York, and multiple bills to ban it havefailed. As of late 2020, legislators are considering the implementation of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, and also the prohibition of sales to minors.
North Carolina
Kratom is fully legal in North Carolina for over 18s, and no legislation is pending as of late 2020. A bill to ban kratom in 2016 was unsuccessful.
North Dakota
Kratom is fully legal in North Dakota, and no legislation is pending as of late 2020.
Ohio
Kratom is fully legal in Ohio. A bid in 2019 by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to make kratom a schedule 1 drug was deferred, and as of late 2020, but now legislators are now considering a version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
Oklahoma
Kratom is fully legal in Oklahoma. In 2014, a bill to ban kratomfailed. As of late 2020, legislators are considering the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
Oregon
Kratom is fully legal in Oregon. As of late 2020, legislators are considering the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
Pennsylvania
Kratom is fully legal in Pennsylvania. As of late 2020, legislators are considering a version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
South Carolina
Kratom is fully legal in South Carolina. As of late 2020, legislators are considering a version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
South Dakota
Kratom is fully legal in South Dakota. In 2020, a bill to ban kratom was defeated, and legislators are now reviewing the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
Tennessee (with some restrictions)
Kratom in its natural form is fully legal in Tennessee, and no legislation is pending as of late 2020. The sale of kratom to under 21s is forbidden.
In 2014, a bill banning a number of synthetic substanceswas passed, but also the state attorney general subsequently ruled that kratom in its natural form was not on the list of banned substances.
Texas
Kratom is fully legal in Texas, and no legislation is pending as of late 2020.
Utah
Kratom is fully legal in Utah. In 2019, Utah became the first stateto formally regulate the drug when it passed the Kratom Consume rProtection Act.
Virginia
Kratom is fully legal in Virginia. In early 2020, legislators commissioned the Virginia Board of Pharmacy to conduct a study on whether kratom should be classified it like a controlled substance. The results of the study will be discussed in 2021.
Washington
Kratom is fully legal in Washington, and no legislation is pending as of late 2020.
West Virginia
Kratom is fully legal in West Virginia, and no legislation is pending as of late 2020. In 2018, a bill to ban kratom was defeated.
Wyoming
Kratom is fully legal in Wyoming, and no legislation is pending as of late 2020.
Washington DC
Kratom was initially banned in DC in 2016, but when the controlled substance act was amended in 2019, it was removed from the list.
States Where Kratom Status Illegal Or Is Banned In US
Alabama
Kratom has been outlawed in Alabama since 2016. The relevant bill did not expressly prohibit kratom, but it did include a ban on the alkaloids hydromitragynine and mitragynine.
Since both these elementsare present in kratom, the bill effectively banned its sale and usage.
Arkansas
Kratom has been banned outright in Arkansas since 2015. It is classed as a schedule 1 drug, and also there are heavy penalties if you buy, possess or sell kratom.
Indiana
Kratom has been banned in Indiana since as far back as 2004.
Rhode Island
Kratom is banned in Rhode Island. However, as of late 2020, legislation is pending to regulate the distribution of kratom.
Vermont
Kratom is illegal in Vermont, thanks to a ban on the alkaloid hydromitragynine, which is a constituent part of the drug. As of late 2020, legislation is pending to reverse the ban and legalize kratom.
Wisconsin
Kratom has been banned in Wisconsin since 2014. In 2019, legislators held a public hearing about kratom, and there are indications that they might bring forward a bill to enact the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
Conclusion
There is currently no definitive information as to the potential benefits or health risks of kratom, and more academic research is urgently required in this area.
On one side of the argument are the millions of Kratom users who are convinced of the benefits and value of this drug.
They are directly supported by many medical professionals, and also indirectly by the number of US states and countries worldwide who have chosen not to ban kratom.
On the other hand, other medical professionals, government agencies like the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) and DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), six US states and many countries worldwide remain suspicious of kratom.
Opponents cite negative side-effects like health ailments, the dangers of addiction and kratom’s alleged potential as a gateway drug.
In the absence of definitive evidence either way, for the moment, the jury must remain out.
But we might note in passing that many of the negative assertions about kratom and were also levelled at cannabis, a once banned drug that is now being legalized in an increasing number of US states and countries.
And it surely speaks volumes that kratom remains legal in so many states and countries.
More Information About Legal Status Of Kratom In US And Useful Sites
For anyone interested in learning more about or even joining the campaign to legalize kratom, a number of useful sites are listed below. If you have strong feelings either way on the legal status of kratom, it is important to make them known to your political representatives.
www.americankratom.org: the American Kratom Association is a consumer advocacy group that champions the rights of users to enjoy kratom across the USA.
www.legiscan.com: a simply fantastic resource to check on all legislation in your state, including, but not limited to, the legal status of kratom.
www.house.gov and www.senate.gov: use these websites to find and contact your political representatives.
