Rising to popularity, kratom is now considered one of the most prominent herbal medicinal remedies on the market, right up there with other heavyweights like hemp. The miracle herb is said to combat issues like pain, depression, anxiety, and even opiate withdrawal. And while there isn?t a lot of literature on it yet, some suggest that kratom might also help with weight loss.
But as you might expect with the rising demand for kratom products like the ones from Kratom Crazy, authorities have been busy working to crack down on the herb and regulate its sale and use. Now tagged as an ?unscheduled substance?, kratom is seeing significant opposition from government bodies hoping to put a lid on the kratom movement. That said, you might be wondering – is kratom even legal?
Is Kratom a Banned Substance?
The short answer is no, kratom isn?t a banned substance. But it was for a while. Way back in 2016, the DEA attempted to tag kratom as a Schedule 1 category drug which would place it in the leagues of marijuana, heroin, and ecstacy. This was backed by the FDA in 2017 as they urged the members of Congress to take their side towards banning the substance.
But banning kratom and categorizing it as a Schedule 1 drug also meant stopping all current medical research that?s aimed towards understanding the science of kratom alkaloids. And that?s ultimately why the movement to ban the substance is presently on hold – because there are countless studies and research facilities working round the clock to uncover the benefits of kratom.
All of that said, kratom remains legal on the federal level. And that?s why it?s still pretty easy to find through gas stations, convenience stores, salons, and even hemp dispensaries. Kratom is also incredibly widespread throughout the web, with retailers offering to ship product to various parts of the country.
On that note however, it?s important to recognize that while kratom is federally legal, there are some states that have gone out of their way to ban the substance or control its use within their own borders.
STATE STATUS OF KRATOM
Aside from that, there are also several countries that banned the use, sale, possesion, and purchase of kratom. These include:
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- Australia
- Denmark
- Finland
- Israel
- Japan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Myanmar
- Malaysia
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- New Zealand
- Poland
- Romania
- Russia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Sweden
- Thailand
- Vietnam
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Why is Kratom Banned in Some Areas?
While kratom does offer a range of benefits for those who know how to use and responsibly dose the substance, it isn?t without risks. The main reason why these jurisdictions have banned kratom is because it?s considered prone to abuse, and because there isn?t substantial research to verify its medical benefits.
According to some studies, people can develop a dependence on kratom. And although this might be true, it all depends on how well you?re able to manage your dose and attune yourself to your body?s needs.
Keep in mind that hundreds of thousands of users have benefited from kratom without having to deal with the dangers, side effects, or risks. And that?s all because of proper user practices. By limiting yourself to just the amount you need at just the times when you need it, then there shouldn?t be a problem of overdose or dependence.
Can You Get a DUI with Kratom?
This is one of the most common questions people ask when talking about the legality of kratom. Remember that while kratom is federally legal, certain strains like Red Borneo kratom or Red Indo kratom are known for their sleep-inducing effects which can put you into a mild state of intoxication.
The tricky part comes when you consider testing for kratom. Even the most elaborate blood tests won?t show if you?ve got kratom in your system simply because these test aren?t developed to detect kratom chemistry. So even if law enforcement puts you through a drug test to determine if you were driving under the influence of a substance, your results would probably come back negative.
In this light, it?s possible that you might get charged with reckless driving or reckless endangerment instead of driving under the influence, if they can?t detect a substance in the first place.
Nonetheless, it?s important to remember that kratom can mildly alter your mental state and make you unfit to sit behind the wheel. Avoid driving at all costs after taking a dose to ensure both your safety and that of others.
Can I Grow Kratom at Home?
Another common question that kratom patrons ask is whether it?s possible or legal to grow kratom in the comfort of their own home. The answer is yes, you can as long as you live in an area where kratom isn?t banned or illegal. But then again, the real question you should ask is whether kratom will grow given the conditions in your garden.
Remember that kratom grows native to Southeast Asia where conditions are humid and tropical. Although it might be possible to cultivate kratom in a home garden, the resulting harvest might not be as potent or effective as the natively grown leaves. In fact, many of those who attempt to grow kratom at home struggle to get the plant to thrive in the first place.
So yes, while it is legal to have kratom plants at home, the real challenge is actually sourcing the seeds and replicating its natural, native country of origin?s climate and conditions to support healthy, proper growth.
The Intricacies of Kratom Legality
While we might enjoy relatively forgiving and even flexible regulations in the realm of kratom, many government bodies are poised to snuff out this freedom. And because the legality of kratom remains on slippery ground, it helps to check back and see whether there have been any changes in the kratom legality landscape. As of writing however, the substance is free to enjoy in most states and jurisdictions, giving people access to safe, natural medicinal alternatives for a range of common health problems.