Free the Tree! Is Kratom Legal Where You Live?

Nov 18, 2022

Free the Tree! Is Kratom Legal Where You Live?

Delta-8 THC gummies are now available on the internet, but how about other natural substances? For example, is kratom legal, and if it is, where specifically can you buy it online?

Kratom is a tree originating from tropical Southeast Asia. Kratom leaves contain mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, two psychoactive substances that can act as either stimulants and depressants, depending on the amount taken. 

Kratom leaves are dried and crushed and then can be smoked, brewed into tea, or taken in a capsule. 

Kratom legality varies depending on where you live. Read on for more info about the places where kratom is legal and where it isn’t!

Is Kratom Federally Legal?

While there are no FDA-approved uses for kratom, and the DEA lists kratom as a Drug and Chemical of concern, it is not currently considered a controlled substance, federally. So technically – yes. It is considered federally legal. But this doesn’t mean it’s allowed everywhere in the United States. 

Capsules of kratom powder - find out if kratom is legal in your state prior to ordering.

Kratom Legality in the USA

Kratom legality varies depending on where you live in the United States. While it is not banned in the USA, various states have enacted restrictions or bans on the substance. For details on kratom regulations in your state or country – read on!

Kratom Legality by State

Is Kratom legal in all states? No, it is not. Consult the list below to see where your state stands on kratom.

Kratom Legal (18+) States States with some Kratom Restrictions

States with Kratom Bans

  • Alaska 
  • Arizona
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wyoming
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Illinois
  • Mississippi
  • New Hampshire
  • Tennessee
  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Indiana
  • Rhode Island
  • Vermont
  • Wisconsin

The states in the first section fully allow kratom use for all adults over 18. 

The states with some kratom restrictions (second section) allow kratom use for adults with some restrictions, which vary by state. Some of these states have limited kratom use based on city or county. 

For example, kratom is legal throughout Florida except in Sarasota County, where it is illegal. In Illinois, kratom is allowed everywhere except the towns of Jerseyville and Alton. Several counties in Mississippi have outlawed kratom. In New Hampshire, kratom is banned in Franklin City. 

In Tennessee, kratom is legal statewide but you must be 21 years of age. 

Is Kratom legal in Texas? Yes, kratom is legal in Texas for anyone 18 years old and up.

Is Kratom legal in California? Yes, kratom is legal for adults in most of California. However, it is banned in the cities of San Diego and Oceanside.

Is Kratom legal in Colorado? Yes, kratom is allowed in Colorado with some restrictions. It is banned in the towns of Monument and Parker. Also, kratom products sold in Denver must have specific labeling requirements.

So, make sure to find out about kratom legality in your specific area prior to ordering it online or taking it with you when traveling. 

Kratom Legality by Country

So most of the USA does allow citizens to buy kratom, but many countries do not. The chart below shows which countries have banned the purchase and use of kratom.

  Countries Where Kratom is Illegal  
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Belarus
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Moldova
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Malaysia
  • Myanmar
  • New Zealand
  • Romania
  • Slovenia
  • Singapore
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom

This information is updated as of the date of publication of this article. But because new laws are constantly being enacted, you should double-check for any updates on the status of kratom in your state or country before you purchase it.

Why is Kratom Legal?

So if it is considered harmful enough to ban or regulate in many places, why is kratom legal at all? And will kratom stay legal?It is interesting to know that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency considered classifying kratom as a Schedule 1 drug in 2016. Schedule 1 drugs are considered to have no medical use, and are illegal. However, the public outcry against banning kratom was so great that they reversed course. 

Kratom chemical structure, its further research is needed if kratom stays legal in future.

Kratom users claim that it helps them with many issues, including:

  • Pain
  • Depression
  • Opioid addiction  
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle cramps

Experts who opposed the ban claim that kratom is a safe and effective way for addicts to wean themselves off of opioids. Also, there is concern that if it is categorized as a Schedule 1 substance, any research into the benefits of its active ingredients mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine would effectively be banned as well. Many people think this would be a mistake because the therapeutic potential of these substances would never be known.

Despite these concerns, it does seem that the FDA is leaning toward making kratom illegal nationwide in the future. Currently, they are strongly discouraging its use.

So if you’re interested in seeing what kratom can do for you, now is your chance! 

As long as kratom has not been banned in your state, you can order it online at PharmaCBD. Shop now!