Kratom is a tropical tree originating from Southeast Asia. Kratom has been used in herbal medicines and natural supplements for hundreds of years in places like Thailand, Bali, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Over the last few years, kratom has exploded in popularity across the United States and other Western countries. Some governments have responded to kratom’s newfound prevalence with skepticism, enacting regulations or outright bans while research into the benefits and risks of kratom is conducted.
The folks at Joe’s Botanicals are keen on keeping our finger on the pulse of the kratom industry, so we’ve taken a look at how kratom is treated under domestic and international laws. Keep on reading to learn about kratom legality by country and international kratom laws.
Kratom in North America
In the United States, kratom is mainly legal. There are no federal laws banning or restricting the sale of kratom nationwide, although certain regulations do affect how kratom can be marketed. For example, kratom has not been approved for treatment of any medical condition and cannot be marketed as such.
Kratom laws and regulations do vary by state. In 44 out of 50 states, kratom is legal. In at least one of the states that bans kratom (Vermont), the government has taken steps towards legalization. Most states in which kratom is legal have no specific regulations pertaining to kratom at all.
Several states have passed laws like the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, regulating how kratom can be manufactured or marketed and including rules like age restrictions on sale. Some local counties or cities have their own rules, regulations, or bans on kratom.
Outside of the U.S., kratom laws are mixed. For example:
In Mexico, kratom is completely legal. There are currently no laws or restrictions at the national level or in any of Mexico’s states or entities.
In Canada, kratom is legal for individuals to own and possess, although sale is a more complex issue. It’s not technically legal to sell kratom for human consumption at the federal level, although many stores do sell it, and regulations vary by province.
Kratom is mainly unregulated in several other North and Central American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. In places with harsh drug penalties like Cuba, although the kratom rules are unclear, it’s probably best to avoid kratom.
Kratom in Asia
Whether kratom is legal in Asia depends on the country.
Although kratom originated from Southeast Asia, a number of countries in the region prohibit trading in kratom, as do several other countries across the continent. Malaysia and Vietnam, for example, were originally among the biggest sources for kratom exports worldwide, but kratom is now banned in those countries. Indonesia is a major exporter of kratom, but the country has recently instituted restrictions on the export of kratom plants.
Kratom was prohibited in Thailand for several years. As of 2021, however, kratom is once again legal. A new law set standards for engaging in the kratom market, including a system for licensing kratom manufacturers and retailers.
Kratom is banned outright in a number of countries across Asia, including:
- Japan
- South Korea
- Singapore
- Vietnam
- Myanmar
- Malaysia
In China, it’s hard to get a clear picture of whether kratom is legal. However, given China’s hard stance on other substances, it’s likely that Chinese authorities would not approve of the sale or possession of kratom.
Check the specific laws and regulations of any country you intend to visit before trying to buy kratom or bring kratom with you across the border.
Kratom Laws Across the World
International kratom laws vary wildly by country. Some countries treat kratom like a controlled substance, either restricted by license or banned outright. Other countries regulate kratom like parts of the United States: Legal, but with common-sense regulation. In other countries, kratom is entirely unregulated.
In Europe, countries where kratom is legal include:
- Austria
- Albania
- Spain
- Bosnia
- Czech Republic
- Finland
- Greece
- Ukraine
- Netherlands
- Hungary
European countries where kratom is illegal include:
- France
- Croatia
- Switzerland
- Italy
- UK
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Sweden
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Poland
- Russia
- Romania
This is only a partial list, demonstrating how important it is to check local laws before looking to buy any substances. Check out the European Kratom Alliance for a more comprehensive look at kratom legality by country in Europe.
Other countries around the world are also split on how they treat kratom. Countries with kratom bans include:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Belarus
- Israel
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Poland
- Romania
- Russia
In South Africa, kratom is not widely regulated. In other places, including New Zealand and Bulgaria, kratom is legal but requires a prescription from a doctor.
Be Careful and Do Your Research
International kratom law is changing by the day, and it’s very possible that some of this information will quickly become out of date. Governments around the world are shifting their approach to kratom, some seeking legalization with regulation while others look to ban kratom wholesale as part of broader anti-substance-abuse efforts. Make sure to check for up-to-date information about kratom in your home country or in a country you plan to visit before you make plans to buy, sell, or possess kratom.
Get High Quality, Legal Kratom from the Kratom Store
The Joe’s Botanicals team stays on top of the latest developments in the kratom sector. We keep an eye out for how the law changes domestically and internationally, and we follow all applicable rules and regulations.
On top of that, we pride ourselves on keeping to the highest standards of safety and production, including the American Kratom Association’s standards for Good Manufacturing Practices. If you’re looking for fresh, affordable, high-quality kratom products, look no further.
Head over to our online store to see the kratom strains and products we have available. If you have any questions, please reach out to our customer service team.
