Kratom In The USA: Is It Legal And Where Do You Buy It?

Kratom has earned a reputation in the past few years for its ability to improve one’s wellness and sense of health and balance.

People have attested to how it has given them a better sense of well-being and positivity.

Those who have tried it swear that when you buy kratom online USA, you’ll feel more alert, energized, and in a better mood.

What Is Kratom and Where is it from?

Kratom is a derivative of the evergreen tree that is native to Southeast Asia, and grows primarily in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea.

Kratom trees found in these regions can grow as high as 80 feet and have huge leaves and flowers. Kratom belongs to the evergreen family but is also related to the coffee plant.

Its leaves contain the chemicals mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which acts like an opioid, such as morphine.

According to studies, societies in Southeast Asia have been using kratom for hundreds of years.

Natives have enjoyed kratom in the form of tea or powder and was used as part of a traditional medical treatment procedures.

Traditional knowledge together Western user experience all lead to the conclusion that kratom can help relieve everyday stress and promote a calmer, more sedated feeling.

Is It A Drug?

Kratom is made up of different active components, which is why it is difficult to categorize it as one specific type of drug such as “opiate” or “stimulant”.

Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, two of the main chemicals that make up kratom, exhibit strong activity at the brain’s main opioid receptor, the “mu” receptor, which is the same one stimulated by oxycodone and heroin.

Kratom is often consumed orally, usually with sweetener to offset its harsh bitter tea. It can be made into tea or swallowed as a pill.

While kratom can make you feel alert and relaxed, there are side effects that come with it as well, such as agitation, drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, and tachycardia.

Other more serious side effects can include seizures and respiratory and cardiac arrest.

Where Can You Find Kratom in the USA?

It is possible to buy kratom online USA, but this product is also available in gas stations and shops in many parts of the US, except in some states and cities where it is banned.

What Do People Use Kratom For?

The US’ Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) claims that kratom has no medical benefits or uses.

However, kratom has been used in Asia for centuries to treat chronic pain, cough, diarrhea, opiate withdrawal as well as to improve energy and sexual activity.

Recently there has been a rise in the use of kratom by people self-diagnosing and treating chronic pain and acute opiate withdrawals.

These people are seeking alternative treatment options to prescription medications. However, despite the positive review, there remains no extensive study on using kratom for treatment.

This means we do not know how safe or effective it is yet for treating certain health problems.

If a person wishes to use kratom to relieve pain or mitigate symptoms of opiate withdrawal, they would probably encounter a couple of side effects, not all of which are necessarily related with the intrinsic properties of the substance itself.

Is Kratom Legal in the USA?

Although it is generally regarded as a ‘safe’ product, the legality of kratom remains uncertain, or under a gray area for most people.

While kratom is currently legal in the U.S., there are some states that have banned its use.

There are also some specific things you need to know before you buy kratom online USA.

It is important to know if your state allows or has banned the use of kratom, or is in the process of regulating or banning it.

Below are some of the states where kratom is banned or is in the process of being banned:

  • Alabama –kratom is considered a Schedule 1 controlled substance in the state
  • Arkansas –kratom is considered a controlled substance in Arkansas
  • California –kratom is legal in California, save for San Diego, due to the passing of a local ordinance.
  • Florida –kratom is legal in Florida, except for Sarasota County
  • Illinois –kratom is legal in the state, except in Jerseyville. Selling kratom to minors under 18 years of age is also prohibited
  • Indiana –kratom is defined as a synthetic drug in this state, and is therefore banned
  •  New Hampshire –kratom is legal in New Hampshire for those aged 18 years old and above
  • Tennessee –kratom is defined as a controlled substance in this state and is therefore banned.
  • Wisconsin –Wisconsin classifies the primary alkaloids present in kratom as Schedule 1 controlled substance and, as a result, is banned.

The DEA continues to look into kratom and hold discussions on whether it should be legal or not.

There have been calls to make it illegal due to its psychoactive properties and its potential to be addictive.

However, proponents of the substance claim that it could provide the solution to the nation’s opioid epidemic.

The DEA announced in August 2016 that it would be categorizing kratom as a Schedule 1 drug, which is where LSD, ecstasy, and heroin belong to.

Schedule 1 drugs are considered illegal because they have high potential to be abused. But in October 2016, the DEA retracted that decision. The DEA has currently opened a public comment period with regards to kratom and its federal legality.

Currently, kratom remains legal in many states in the country, and there are many places where you can get it from.

Kratom can be found in gas stations and in shops, but most sellers advertise their products online. It is easier to buy kratom online USA.

Besides being easily available, it also comes in different strains and each of these strains have varying levels of strength.

Conclusion

While the use of kratom remains in the gray area, the only way for it to remain legal is for people to be educated more about it.

There should be more information about the right dosage to use and for sellers to make sure that their product is free of contamination.

Consumers must be warned or educated about the potential benefits, as well as dangers of the product so they can be less vulnerable to exaggerated or misleading claims.