Is Kratom Legal in my State? An Updated Guide to the Legality of Kratom

Is Kratom Legal?

While kratom's use continues to grow and its effectiveness sought after by folks in need of alternative options, the current legality of kratom remains a gray area for a lot of people.

Advocates for kratom say that it is a natural, plant-based substance that has properties which, among other things, can assist with opioid withdrawal and addiction or pain management. Critics of kratom believe that the plant has not been sufficiently studied to be deemed safe, is in fact not safe, can cause dependence, and can have serious and potentially fatal side effects.

The truth is, it’s still a gray area. In fact, the Drug Enforcement Administration has yet to make a firm decision on the matter. More specifically, some experts say that kratom can help battle the opioid epidemic in America, while others insist the psychoactive properties of kratom are not only dangerous to the public but also highly addictive for individuals.

In 2016, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) announced its intent to make kratom a Schedule I narcotic (alongside heroin, LSD, and cannabis), but it subsequently withdrew that position largely in part to a huge support from its advocates to keep kratom legal.

Today, the DEA considers kratom to be a “Drug of Concern”, along with other substances like salvia divornum and DXM. This means, according to the DEA, kratom may “pose risks to individuals who abuse [it]”. Because it’s not on any CSA schedule, kratom is not outright illegal at the federal level.

While more research on kratom is underway, and certainly needed to prove its usefulness and remain legal. The biggest and most effective push is coming from the American Kratom Association to pass the Kratom Consumer Protection Act that aims at keeping standardizing product labeling help keep kratom legal.

In short, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, also known as the KCPA, is a piece of legislation that allows consumers access to legal Kratom whilst mitigating the market and reducing the sale of unregulated, dangerous, harmful Kratom products. The intention of the act is to ensure only approved Kratom is sold and distributed amongst the market. It also aims to stop the complete ban on Kratom by protecting its users and disproving the myths, rumors, and misconceptions about the natural product.

Is Kratom Legal in my State?

Although kratom is technically legal at the federal level, some states and municipalities have chosen to ban the substance, making it illegal to sell, possess, grow, or use it. Others have imposed age restrictions.

In this guide we hope to shed more light on the state of affairs of kratom and display a list of states where kratom is legal.