Before knowing the legality, let’s know what kratom is. And why is its legality in doubt? Kratom is an opioid-like substance that is extracted from the Mitragyna Speciosa tree, which is native to Southeast Asia. If people are to be believed it, it has some therapeutic effects when brewed as tea or the leaves are chewed. It has calming effects and euphoric effects, but most importantly, it has effects similar to an opioid, which helps in reducing pain.

Then why is its legality being questioned? Why is the sale and purchase of the substance regulated by the USA? According to the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), it is a drug of concern. It has addictive properties, which means it increases the dependence of the consumer. Doctors want the regulation of the substance due to its claimed pain-relieving and other health benefits, and researchers want the regulation due to the presence of very little factual information about the substance. 

Although the USA has allowed the sale, purchase, consumption, or storing of Kratom, it is federally regulated and even some of the federal states have outlawed it completely and banned its entry into the state. We’ll be providing you with the legal status of kratom in various states of the USA. 

The states which have allowed the unrestricted consumption and selling/buying of kratom products are:

• New York
• North Dakota
• Ohio 
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Maryland 
• Massachusetts 
• Michigan 
• Missouri 
• Montana 
• Nebraska 
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Texas 
• Virginia 
• Washington 
• West Virginia
• Wyoming 
• Alaska
• Connecticut 
• Delaware 
• Hawaii 
• Idaho 
• Iowa 
• Kansas 
• Kentucky
• Louisiana 
• Maine

Some states have legalized their use but with age restrictions. Stating a few:

• Utah (Age 21 and up)
• Arizona (Over the Age of 18)
• North Carolina (Legal for those over the age of 18)
• Georgia (Over the Age of 18)
• Nevada (Over the Age of 18)
• Minnesota (Age 18 and up)
• Tennessee (Age 21 and up)
• Oklahoma (Over the Age of 18)

And some states have completely outlawed the use or possession of kratom. These are:

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

We are talking about some of the most famous states of the USA.

• Kratom is legal in most of California, with the exception of Oceanside and San Diego. While these cities published a list of the synthetic substances they decided to outlaw in response to abuse and potential risk reports, kratom was not on this list.
• In Florida, Suncoast residents can legally possess kratom but not the ones living in Sarasota.
• For those who are older than 18, kratom is legal in Illinois, with the exception of four cities: Alton, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, and Jerseyville.
• The legality of kratom in Mississippi is hazy, and the rules are frequently amended. To stay informed about this legislation, keep tabs on the local news. Despite the fact that kratom is permitted in all 82 of Mississippi’s cities, some of them have prohibited it.
• In Franklin, New Hampshire, kratom is prohibited within the state. If you’re over 18, you can buy, use, and trade the plant lawfully in the remainder of the state. In New Hampshire, there are proposals to regulate it rather than outright prohibit it.

The bottom line:

Although it’s legal in some of the states of the USA, it is regulated by the federal government in some states.  By providing a different choice for pain treatment and helping those who are battling opioid addiction, kratom advocates claim that the botanical could help end the opioid crisis. It’s not a miraculous fix, according to other specialists, as some individuals believe.

There is relatively little published research on kratom’s potential advantages as an opiate substitute and painkiller. Researchers conclude that the psychoactive substance somewhat similar to opioids, kratom, sold on the site and in smoke shops across the U.S., seems to have a lower rate of distress than prescription painkillers for pain treatment, stress, depression, and addiction. This is based on data from a study of over 2,700 self-reported consumers of kratom products.

Therefore it is advised to use only high-quality kratom which is backed by proper lab testing and discloses all the ingredients and licensing on the label or the packaging of the product. And make sure you do not get into trouble by using kratom in any state which do not permits the use of the same.