The Legal Ins and Outs of Kratom

If you have been following Kratom for any length of time, you will know that legally it’s a minefield, and with laws changing all the time, it can be almost impossible to keep up.

However, it’s essential that you, as a Kratom user, know the legalities not only where you live, but also (if you are planning on taking/using Kratom) in any places you may be traveling to or from.

To make things even more complicated, where state laws legalize Kratom, local laws within a state can outlaw it, so be sure to check individual county and city laws, even if your state gives it the thumbs up!

To try and make it a little easier to navigate, we have put together this comprehensive list with information concerning the legal status of Kratom across the United States, but please…do your own extra checks as the situation can and will change from time to time.

As of 2020…

Kratom is legal in almost all US states, with the exception of the following six:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Indiana
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

That all seems pretty straightforward so far, right? And it is…so far. However, here’s where it gets tricky.

• California – Kratom is legal state-wide, apart from San Diego which has outlawed it.
• Colorado – Kratom use is widely accepted, unless you are in Denver, where it’s a big NO.
• Florida – the sunshine state also accepts Kratom, unless you happen to live in Sarasota County – sorry.
• Illinois – this enlightened state are also open to the possession and use of Kratom, but NOT if you reside in Jerseyville.
• Mississippi – and finally, in February 2019, the city council of Columbus decided to turn its back on state law and ban Kratom from this Tombigbee River city and also Union County.

So How Can You Help?

It is only through people power that laws will be changed, and there are various ways in which you, as an individual, can help.

Your first port of call (and a wonderful site full of information) is the American Kratom Association who will have the latest news, views, and clues as to what’s going on.

In addition, there are literally LOADS of forums, groups, and chats which all relate to Kratom – a simple search will point you in the right direction – and through these groups (especially if you join or follow local ones) you will find out about any petitions, protests, or other happenings which you will be able to take part in.

So Who Exactly is Behind These Bans?

Well, the FDA plays a huge role in getting bans in place, and where they have failed (many times, as is evident in the fact that only 6 states have outlawed Kratom) they have caused huge problems for the industry.

For instance, it is perfectly legal to import Kratom into the US, but the dear old FDA have seized and confiscated thousands upon thousands of dollars’ worth of Kratom coming into the country perfectly legally, in a bid to end the Kratom business and destroy untold families’ livelihoods.

Of course, where there is drama there is the press, and papers have jumped on the bandwagon, sensationalizing the headlines and even blatantly lying about Kratom-related deaths. All of this makes the fight to legalize Kratom completely even more difficult, because the ‘powers that be’ just point to these stories and confiscations as evidence of its ‘evil’.

And all for a little green leaf!

So, be vocal, be informed, get involved, and together we WILL win.