What is the legal age to buy Kratom in the USA? The answer to this question is not so straightforward. In this article, you’ll get to know all about the legal status of Kratom in different states of the USA. But let us first find out what Kratom actually is.
What is Kratom?
By now, most of you are familiar with Kratom and what it does. Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as Kratom, is a tree related to the coffee plant. Mostly cultivated in Southeast Asian countries, Kratom is the herbal extract obtained from the Mitragyna speciosa leaves. It has been used for medicinal as well as recreational purposes. Kratom can be consumed in various forms. It can be chewed, swallowed or even smoked. You can also use it to make a soothing cup of tea or a delicious smoothie.
Why should I consume it? Benefits & adverse effects
Kratom acts on the supraspinal mu- and delta- receptors in our brain — the same receptors that are activated by morphine. Thus it can act as an analgesic just like morphine. Additionally, it can act as a stimulant, increase energy levels and can even cause euphoria. Some people use it as an aphrodisiac or to help them with their sleep.
But it is not all good news though. Beware of the higher doses or adulterated forms of Kratom. Higher doses can result in sedation or sleepiness. Some common side effects include dry mouth, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. But there can also be hazardous effects like liver damage, hallucinations and delusions, seizures, coma, and even death.
Varieties and Strains
There are many famous strains of Kratom that differ in their color, taste, smell and the effects they produce. Each has its own benefits and its own set of side effects. They are priced differently as well. Some famous strains include the following:
- Bali Kratom
- Maeng Da Kratom
- Red Vein Borneo
- Red Thai Kratom
- Red Kali Kratom
- Red Indo Kratom
- White Vein Thai
- White Vein Indo
- White Vein Kali
You can get more information regarding these strains by clicking here.
Legal Aspects related to Kratom storage and consumption-Role of the AKA
The AKA (American Kratom Association) is an organization that has been avidly involved in the process of legalization of Kratom across the states of the USA. They have been partially successful in their efforts. The AKA has been trying to get the KCPA (Kratom Consumer Protection Act) implemented in all the states of the USA. They have been successful in a few states. Each state can make a few legislative changes to the act according to their own needs. Some key points in the act are as follows:
- Definition of Kratom
- Listing the amount of all the ingredients in a particular Kratom product
- Prohibition of sale of certain adulterated products
- Penalties for those who do not follow these rules
- Registration of every new and existing Kratom product
The AKA is backed by thousands to millions of Americans and their efforts have been fruitful.
The AKA has also introduced a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) program and a list of GMP certified vendors. It is their effort towards the quality control and it enforces all the distributors to list the ingredients of their Kratom products.
Role of the FDA and the DEA
The AKA have also been active against the efforts of the FDA and the DEA. IN 2016, the DEA tried to ban Kratom by classifying it as a schedule 1 drug. The FDA also has a similar opinion. But owing to the efforts of millions of Kratom users and the AKA, Kratom has remained legal in most of the states of the USA.
Legal Status of Kratom and Legal Age to Buy Kratom in the USA
Kratom is not federally regulated. Kratom laws and legal age to buy differ in different states. Following is the list of legal status of all the states of the USA in alphabetical order:
Alabama
- Legal Status: Banned
- Legal Age: N/A
- KCPA Passed: N/A
Alaska
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Arizona
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: 18
- KCPA Passed: Yes
Arkansas
- Legal Status: Banned
- Legal Age: N/A
- KCPA Passed: N/A
California
- Legal Status: Legal, but banned in San Diego
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Colorado
- Legal Status: Legal, but banned in towns of Monument and Parker. Classified not for human consumption in Denver
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Connecticut
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Delaware
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Florida
- Legal Status: Legal but banned in Sarasota county
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Georgia
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: 18
- KCPA Passed: Yes
Hawaii
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Idaho
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Illinois
- Legal Status: Legal but banned in Jerseyville
- Legal Age: 18
- KCPA Passed: No
Indiana
- Legal Status: Banned
- Legal Age: N/A
- KCPA Passed: N/A
Iowa
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Kansas
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: Pending
Kentucky
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Louisiana
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Maine
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Maryland
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Massachusetts
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Michigan
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Minnesota
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Mississippi
- Legal Status: Legal but banned in Union county and Columbus city
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Missouri
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: Pending
Montana
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Nebraska
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Nevada
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: 18
- KCPA Passed: Yes
New Hampshire
- Legal Status: Legal with some local bans
- Legal Age: 18
- KCPA Passed: Pending
New Jersey
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: Pending
New Mexico
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
New York
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
North Carolina
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: 18
- KCPA Passed: No
North Dakota
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Ohio
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Oklahoma
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: 18
- KCPA Passed: Yes
Oregon
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: Pending
Pennsylvania
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Rhode Island
- Legal Status: Banned
- Legal Age: N/A
- KCPA Passed: N/A
South Carolina
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
South Dakota
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Tennessee
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: 21
- KCPA Passed: No
Texas
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Utah
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: 18
- KCPA Passed: Yes
Vermont
- Legal Status: Banned
- Legal Age: N/A
- KCPA Passed: N/A
Virginia
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Washington
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
West Virginia
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Wisconsin
- Legal Status: Banned
- Legal Age: N/A
- KCPA Passed: N/A
Wyoming
- Legal Status: Legal
- Legal Age: No age restrictions
- KCPA Passed: No
Kindly note that “pending” means that the KCPA has been accepted but some legislative work still needs to be done.
Final Conclusion
We can see that most of the states have no age restrictions for buying Kratom. This means that practically anyone can go to a Kratom shop and buy any amount of Kratom products. Be aware that there might still be some age restrictions by the local vendors.
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