You’ve probably seen kratom before in farmers’ markets, shops, and even online and are wondering if it’s safe and legal. With the mixed messages surrounding the herb, it may be difficult to determine its legitimacy. It all depends on the state you live in. Kratom has plenty of advocates who have actively battled for its legitimacy, even when it brings heightened regulation.
The most well-known movement referred to as the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, or KPCA, would protect the plant’s legitimacy in a specific state while enabling regulators to set requirements, for instance, a minimum age. So which are the states where kratom is legal? Before getting into that, let’s first know what it is.
What is Kratom?
Mitrogyna speciosa, kratom, is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, with leaves containing compounds that can have psychotropic or mind-altering outcomes. Users usually make tea, chew the leaves, and consume high quality kratom capsules filled with ground leaf powder to experience its potent effects. Traditionally, people used it to treat muscle cramps, fatigue, diarrhea, and pain.You can search about them to know which Kratom strains and veins are right for you
The plant has a variety of health benefits such as:
- It’s a mood booster
- It may be a libido enhancer
- It may be an antidepressant
- It’s a pain reliever
- It may be a hunger suppressor
Despite its benefits, kratom isn’t federally regulated in the U.S. This means that no government body guarantees or checks the safety and quality of kratom items bought in the U.S. The Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, has submitted a recommendation to ban the herb at a federal level due to its effects. This recommendation is pending approval as scientists study kratom to present more clear details about it.
In the meantime, while some states have made kratom illegal, here are some of the states that have legalized it:
- Connecticut
Kratom is legal in the state of Connecticut. This means that there are zero restrictions on the use, farming, sale, distribution, or purchase of the substance and that no agency regulates the industry.
- Iowa
At the beginning of 2014, Iowa Legislators got a bill that proposed making kratom illegal. The bill stated that the herb is a hallucinogenic substance with high abuse potential.
Kratom supporters came to the rescue and filed a petition citing that kratom caused no deaths and it’s a herb from the coffee family. The bill didn’t go through. Therefore, kratom remained legal in this 29th U.S. state.
- Hawaii
Kratom is legal in this newest state of the U.S.A. Until 2020, there was no legislation to make kratom illegal in the U.S. All this changed in January 2020 when seven Democratic candidates sponsored a bill to make the herb a Schedule V drug.
So far, the bill is still pending approval. With some support, however, if you live in Hawaii, you can keep kratom legal here.
- Michigan
Most adult residents in Michigan widely consume kratom. However, several occurrences almost threatened the legality of the herb:
- The first was in the form of a bill that was submitted in 2014. It aimed to put the herb in the controlled substances act. Countless people signed a petition to keep Mitrogyna speciosa legal, and it worked.
- The next was also a bill that aimed to prevent the sale of kratom to underage individuals. It didn’t last long.
- Next was at the end of 2017, and in 2018, some residents in Kent County gave negative remarks about kratom. No one took any legal action.
- Colorado
Residents in Colorado (except those in Monument and Parker towns) can use the plant. In Denver, there are some restrictions on the substance. All kratom substances must have a label that states, “not for human consumption.” Plus, every vendor in Denver isn’t allowed to offer advice or recommendations. Kratom is present in the herb, smoke, vape, and leading shops in some of the state’s largest cities.
- Delaware
So far, there’s no significant intention by the local authorities or state government to make kratom illegal. Tourists and visitors alike are free to buy the herb either locally or online. Online purchases are more common, though, as very few brick-and-mortar stores sell them. The state is ruled according to its motto, “Liberty and Independence.” This means that the government has allowed the residents to decide how they want to use the plant.
- Kansas
If you’re in the Sunflower State, you can enjoy the benefits of the plant. In 2018, however, several individuals submitted a bill to include kratom in the controlled substance list. Kratom supporters and users opposed this, causing the authorities to remove kratom before ultimately passing the bill. As of 2020, lawmakers evaluate the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, or KCPA, to assist in controlling the kratom industry in the state.
The American Kratom Association has played an enormous part in keeping kratom legitimate in Kansas. Supporters are required to stay active and see to it that the KCPA goes through before another threat of making kratom illegal occurs.
Conclusion
Kratom rules and regulations vary from one state to another. If you’re planning to visit a state, please ensure that you’re familiar with it to legalize kratom to avoid inconveniences. From the list above, however, it’s clear that more states support the herb, so you have nothing to worry about. If you’re from any of the states above, give kratom a try today.
