Kratom

A Brief History of Kratom in Malaysia

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Malaysia is one of the first countries that people think of when they think about kratom exporting countries. After all, how many different types of kratom are there that are known as Malay strains? From Green Malay to other popular strains, there seems to be quite a lot of kratom coming from Malaysia.

Is that assumption made by most consumers, however, a true one?

What is the actual history of kratom in Malaysia, and what is its current status in that country today? With this brief history and guide, you’ll be able to learn more about just that. Let’s get started!

Growing Conditions For Kratom in Malaysia

The climate and land type in Malaysia make it a great place for kratom to grow, and that is why this deciduous, tropical tree has thrived there for a very long time. Some believe that it’s possible kratom has been growing in the land that would become Malaysia for more than a thousand years.

Kratom grows best in regions with rich, fertile soil. It does even better if that soil is nearly always wet, and those are the kind of conditions that can be found in Malaysia due to the long rainy season and high humidity. Because the climate and conditions are so good for kratom, the trees in that region can grow to be more than 60 feet tall and very wide. 

Of course, the kratom grown for export is not typically as tall because the industry is newer, but there are some kratom farms that have incorporated older trees as well.

History of Kratom Use & Legality In Malaysia

Kratom has been used by workers and people in Malaysia for more than one hundred years. First, it was used to relax and make the long, hard working days easier by chewing it or brewing a tea.

There were few official laws that acknowledged this use until 1952 when the Poisons Act of 1952 was passed in Malaysia. This act was the first time that a government in power in Malaysia attempted to control the use of this botanical. Included provisions fined people for possessing or processing kratom leaves.

Chief Usage

Kratom is mainly used in the northern regions of Malaysia that border with Thailand. In these areas, workers have used kratom for a long time to improve time at work and make a long day of labor easier to get through. 

Many kratom users in Malaysia use kratom at least three times a week.

Current Legal Status In Malaysia

Technically speaking, it is illegal to use kratom in Malaysia at this time. But why, then, is there such a high reported usage of it?

The simple fact of the matter is that the use of kratom is not highly regulated or monitored despite there being laws in place that could lead to such regulation. 

How, then, do kratom farms in Malaysia sell kratom?

Due to the way the laws are set up, kratom leaves can currently be exported from Malaysia as long as they are unprocessed. This means that leaves cannot be changed from their natural state. They must simply be harvested and exported, and there can be no domestic sales because kratom is illegal for personal use in Malaysia.

Additionally, the government does have some laws that allow farmers to get a license to grow kratom. To be able to export, you must have this license. Still, you still consume or sell within Malaysia itself.

For a brief period in 2015, there was serious debate within the Malaysian government about whether or not kratom should be banned completely and be criminalized more severely. Ultimately, this was not seen as necessary and the current law from 1952 remains in effect today.

The Future of Kratom in Malaysia

At this time, it is hard to predict what the future will bring in terms of laws about kratom in Malaysia. While there are some movements to further decriminalize its usage, the laws currently in place don’t seem to have a lot of influence. After all, many people in Malaysia do not see kratom as a negative thing, but they also don’t see the need to make it completely legal.

Most of the people who use kratom regularly in Malaysia are located in the northern regions where kratom grows, and they are the people most familiar with its effects. But these people are not being actively discouraged from continuing to use kratom in the traditional ways of their region, so they don’t have a reason to advocate for a change in the laws at this time.

It’s safe to say that the issue of legality of kratom in Malaysia may have affected its legality in other countries. If the demand for kratom in areas where it is legal to use continues to rise, it is possible that the Malaysia government will restructure how it handles the regulations of kratom exportation in order to make better profits.

Kratom: A Confusing Predicament

As you can see, there is a lot of confusion surrounding kratom, its history, and even its legal status in the countries where it is chiefly grown and exported. Though the history is complicated, it is still very interesting to find out more about Malaysian kratom and how it has come to the point it is at today.

Even if the rules in Malaysia change in the next few years, you can expect that kratom will not soon be forgotten by the Malaysians who will keep it in their cultural and historical beliefs!

FAQ: Using Your Credit Card To Purchase Cryptocurrency

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Are you familiar with cryptocurrency? Have you tried using Bitcoin or another type of cryptocurrency yet?

There are many different reasons why people are trying out this type of payment system now, and it is one of our preferred payment methods here at Phytoextractum. We even give our customers a 10% discount when they use Bitcoin to make purchases on our site because we have fewer transaction fees when using cryptocurrency.

Is it possible for you to use your credit card to buy Bitcoin? Yes! 

Does it make sense to use Bitcoin rather than another payment method to buy kratom? Also, yes!

While the future of kratom looks bright in America, it is still in a legal gray area in many regions, so you may want to ensure that your kratom purchases are as private as possible. Using cryptocurrency rather than more traditional payment methods can afford you additional anonymity, and that is a big part of why it is popular.

Let’s take a closer look at using Bitcoin to buy kratom and how you can use your credit card to purchase cryptocurrency.

What Is Bitcoin?

Let’s start by explaining what Bitcoin is.

Bitcoin is a type of cryptocurrency. Essentially, it’s a form of currency that is based online. It can be used to instantly transfer secure amounts to anyone in the world. The system itself is not managed or regulated by any government or bank organization. Instead, the system exists on an open network.

How Do I Use My Credit Card To Buy Bitcoin?

While there are a number of different ways to exchange your funds for Bitcoin, we have had the most success using Coinbase as a starting point. This is an online service that has great features and allows you to set up a currency-based wallet for easy online use that is both fast and easy.

As of writing this, however, Coinbase only accepts payments via ACH payments, debit cards, or wire transfers. We will cover how to use your debit card, and then cover some credit card options. It is possible that Coinbase will re-instate credit card funding in the future, so keep that in mind.

Adding Debit Cards on Coinbase

Today, we’ll use Coinbase as the root of how to buy Bitcoin, but remember that you can follow these same general steps when using other services as well.

Here is how to get your account set up on Coinbase and then add Bitcoin funds:

  1. Sign up for an account. You will need to provide your full name, email address, and state of residence.
  2. Then, verify a phone number for extra protection. Two-step verification will be used to sign-in on Coinbase so that your account is safer.
  3. You will then need to answer a few more questions such as your address, intent for using Coinbase, funding source, job, and date of birth. This information is used to verify your identity, which is a requirement when using Coinbase.
  4. Once your information processes, you’ll be prompted to fund your account! However, the prompt will only include bank funding via Plaid. Instead of proceeding, click the X to close the pop-up, and you will be transferred to your Coinbase dashboard.
  5. Here, you can click on “Add Payment Method” and select Debit Card. Follow the steps to add funding, and you’ll be good to go!

Funding Via Credit Card on Coinmama

Because many credit cards block the buying of cryptocurrency, it can be difficult to find ways to buy Bitcoin with your credit card.

Difficult, however, does not mean impossible!

Keep in mind, however, that these steps can be quite complicated, so using a more simple method of funding your Bitcoin purchase might be a good choice.

The most popular site for buying Bitcoin with a credit card is Coinmama. This Bitcoin broker allowed for funding in many different ways, but the fees are higher for credit cards because of the risks and processing fees that credit card companies charge.

Before you use Coinmama, make sure that it is available in your state or area as the rules and regulations fluctuate frequently and could affect whether or not you can use the service.

How Do I Pay On Phytoextractum With Bitcoin?

When you’re ready to check out on Phytoextractum, you might decide that you want to pay with Bitcoin to keep your payment both secure and relatively anonymous.

To do this, you’ll need to work through a few important steps:

  1. Make sure that your Bitcoin wallet on Coinbase is set up and loaded with money. See the section above about using your credit card to do so if you haven’t yet.
  2. When checking out, make sure that you select “Bitcoin” as the payment method.
  3. From there, you’ll have the payment address and can complete the payment.
  4. When you select Bitcoin payment on Phytoextractum, a 10% discount will be automatically added to your order.

There are a few additional things that we want to note.

First, Bitcoin orders will be shipped the same day. We simply wait for the payment to be confirmed, which usually happens within 30 minutes. Payments can be made via online, mobile, or hardware Bitcoin wallets.

Second, we want to make sure that you get as many reward points as possible, so you will receive reward points based on the full total before the 10% Bitcoin discount. We are able to save money when processing transactions on Bitcoin, so giving you the discount and points is our way to say thank you!

Should I Buy Kratom With Bitcoin?

Buying your next batch of kratom with Bitcoin isn’t a requirement, but there are some great benefits to doing so. In addition to being able to protect more of your information while shopping online, you can also save 10% on your order!

Bitcoin can seem too complicated to use at first, but it is very easy to pay using Bitcoin once you have your wallet set up and ready to go. Consider getting a great discount with Bitcoin the next time that you shop here at Phytoextractum!

Why We Love Kratom Extracts (And You Might, Too!)

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As you learn more about the world of kratom and the products offered by different kratom vendors, you’ll eventually come across kratom extracts. As the terminology for products can be confusing at times, you might not initially understand what kratom extracts are or why so many people love them.

In fact, you might be shocked that people gravitate towards something that is, on average, five times more concentrated than traditional kratom. 

What is it about kratom extracts that make them so popular? Are kratom extracts going to be a good fit for your life? As one of the original suppliers of high quality extracts, we have a few things to say on the matter. Let’s take a closer look and find out together.

What Are Kratom Extracts?

Before we get into the specific reasons that many kratom users find extracts appealing, let’s clarify exactly what kratom extracts are.

Kratoms extracts are a type of product made from kratom plant leaves or powder. They are a more concentrated form of the powder, and they tend to contain some of the highest levels of alkaloids when comparing different kratom products. 

Extracts are made by soaking the plant matter in a solvent such as water, CO2, or ethanol, and then the solvent is dehydrated. This concentrated material can then be mixed with a base power for a higher concentration or used on its own.

Extracts are available as both powders and liquids as well as in different strains and concentrations depending on what vendor you buy from.

Kratom Extracts Are Concentrated

One reason that some people gravitate towards using kratom extracts rather than traditional teas or powders is that they have a higher concentration of alkaloids. This means that generally speaking, you would try a smaller serving of kratom extract than you would of standard kratom powder.

Has kratom ever made you feel nauseous? Have you ever gotten annoyed by the amount of tea that you needed to make to take your usual serving size?

If so, kratom extracts might be just what you need to make your life a little bit more simple. Kratom extracts can often be taken in smaller serving sizes with the same effects.

You will need to do a little bit of trial-and-error to get the amount right as there is no way to directly correlate extracts with other substances, but the overall consensus is that extracts are used in smaller quantities.

Make sure that you take your first serving much smaller than is recommended or than you usually take; the amount can always be increased over time.

Extracts Help Rotation

Did you know that regularly rotating your serving size and which strains of kratom you are taking can help to prevent any sort of tolerance from building up to the alkaloids in kratom? The best way to use kratom long-term is to rotate between different options, and adding extracts into the mix makes this easy.

Replace your usual kratom with a smaller serving of an extract for a week or two and then switch back; by changing up the amounts you take, your body will not be able to create a steady reliance on either.

Extracts Could Save You Money

There is a chance that switching to kratom extracts rather than using standard kratom powders could save you some money, but the only way to be sure about this is to do some math!

Kratom extracts are generally more expensive than standard powders. Extracts have a longer manufacturing process and use more raw material to be created, so this difference in price makes sense. The final product, too, is different.

Depending on how much less kratom extract you use in comparison to kratom powder, it might be more affordable for you to buy extracts. If you’re using substantially less product, switching to the more expensive product could still be cost-effective.

Extracts Variety

While kratom powders are already available in a wide variety of strains and colors, extracts mix up the type of variety by being available in different concentrations as well. For some strains, you might be able to try a 3x, 5x, or 10x concentration of the product depending on the level of concentration that was achieved.

As you explore different products in the world of kratom to find out what works best for your mind and body, having all of these different products available is very helpful. There are more options to consider, and you won’t have to settle for something that is just OK. 

Instead, consider the wide variety of options available, and discover which serving might be right for you.

Liquid Extracts Change Everything

As mentioned, kratom extracts are available both as powders and liquids. Liquids are one of the coolest kratom creations ever, and they’re so convenient to use that you might be shocked. You should expect these liquids to be concentrated.

Liquid extracts can be added into any beverage with ease:

  • Tea
  • Coffee
  • Smoothies
  • Juice

Or, you can choose to just take the liquid directly from the dropper! The convenience of a liquid kratom product is not hard to miss considering that adding the liquid to a tastier treat can even help to mask the sometimes off-putting flavor of kratom.

Another convenient on-the-go option available for kratom are capsules. Capsules can be made from different strength kratom extract powders, and they can be taken like any other kratom capsule. You could even try making your own capsules at home to save money rather than ordering pre-made options!

Conclusion

Remember that kratom extracts are just one way that you could try kratom; don’t feel like these are the only option! Extracts are a highly-concentrated form of kratom powder that is ideal for experienced kratom users or those that want to be able to take smaller serving sizes.

That does not mean that these concentrated powders and liquids will be a good fit for everyone!

If you find that extracts are too much for you or your stomach, don’t worry. You don’t have an obligation to love extracts even if there are lots of great products in our catalog for you to choose from. Shop around more traditional kratom products instead, and you’re sure to find a good fit for you.

The Curiosity of Kratom Skin Care Products: Are They Worth It?

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There are a lot of herbal products well-known for the power they can infuse into skincare products. Kratom, however, is not typically listed on these lists. Most people have probably never considered that something as out-of-this-world and specific as kratom skincare products even exists! 

Kratom skincare products are limited in number, but there are a few interesting categories that are worth learning more about. The problem with these products so far is that not very many people use them, so it is hard to know exactly what they are like and how well they work when used long-term.

So you end up being left with questions: Do these products work, and can they work for you? Let’s do a deep dive into the products to find out more.

Kratom Soap

One type of product that you might come across when shopping for kratom products is a kratom soap. Users of this type of product have had a few positive things to say about their experiences:

  • • Fewer dry skin patches
  • • Fewer itchy skin patches
  • • More even skin tone

Of course, all of these experiences are anecdotal and could be related to the soap makeup and not the kratom itself. Regardless, a good product is a good product! Handmade soaps and those made by smaller companies tend to use fewer chemicals and gentler products.

It is thought that kratom might help to relieve itchy, patchy skin areas because of some specific sugars that are found in the powder. The sugar is known as rhamnose. On its own, rhamnose has been shown to help our body fight signs of aging, so it is possible that kratom may be able to fight signs of aging as well.

There are a few effects that people using kratom soap noticed that are more likely to be related to kratom than to the other soap ingredients. In particular, people mentioned that their muscle aches caused by fatigue decreased in frequency.

Buy Kratom online at Phytoextractum
 

Other Kratom Skincare Products

Soap is not the only product that can be made with kratom. In fact, there’s a fairly wide range of products that you can find at different shops right now. Some of the most popular options include:

  • • Sugar scrub
  • • Lip balms
  • • Lotions
  • • Toners
  • • Face wash

If there’s a type of skincare product that you want to try with kratom in it, go ahead and search for it. You’ll be surprised at how many different things that you are able to find already on the market!

Make Your Own Kratom Beauty Products

Another way that you can give kratom beauty products a try without investing much more money is to make your own! Kratom can easily be infused into nearly any type of product as long as you know to properly combine the ingredients.

For instance, you can make soap by simply taking any soap recipe and then adding ⅓ cup of kratom powder to the recipe. Then, experiment until you get the perfect combination! Sugar scrubs are another great option to try to make yourself as the slight grittiness of the kratom powder will act as an additional exfoliant.

In most cases, the best way to mix kratom into your favorite skincare products would be to turn it into an oil infusion or a tincture before mixing it in. Kratom molecules are too big to penetrate the skin, so creating an infused liquid that takes on kratom’s alkaloid properties is like making a batch of kratom tea for your skin. Your body can absorb it better this way.

The Science of Skincare

While there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that kratom skincare is powerful and effective, there isn’t a lot of science out there to support that just yet. We know that kratom has specific effects on the body whenever it is ingested via a powder, tea, or another form. This is because the alkaloids interact with specific parts of your body.

Skincare products, on the other hand, would never be digested. Even if they are absorbed through the skin, the products won’t make it into your body the same way that kratom you drink or eat does.

That isn’t to say that there is absolutely no evidence that kratom might have positive topical effects. In fact, there’s a number of interesting research studies on that very topic:

  • • This study suggests that kratom might have topical benefits.
  • • This article has shown that kratom has been traditionally used as a skincare agent in Malay people. There is evidence that traditional Thai medicine also teaches a number of topical uses for kratom.

What’s still not fully known today is how kratom interacts with the body when applied to it. More research needs to be done to confirm the anecdotal. For now, however, we’re satisfied to believe that kratom skincare can make a difference whenever you choose the right product!

What We Think Is Happening

It is not yet known if the major chemical alkaloids found in kratom can penetrate the skin or cause any type of positive skin effect. The benefits seen could be caused by mitragynine and 7-hydroxy-mitragynine, or they could be caused by any of the other smaller compounds and alkaloids that are unique to kratom.

Ultimately, we think that the terpenes, alkaloids, and flavonoids found in kratom are definitely able to create some skincare benefits. The exact benefits, however, are something that you will have to wait a bit longer to find out!

Where to Buy Kratom Skincare Products

As with any kratom-based product, it is important that you take the time to make sure that you are buying from a reputable seller. Kratom is a safe product when harvested, packaged, and processed properly, but not every vendor is going to follow the rules as they should.

Do some basic research before you buy anything from kratom vendors:

By finding out more about how each vendor imports and sells their kratom, you’ll be able to get a better picture of whether or not they are a good choice for you.

The Future of Kratom: New Research Funding in the US

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When we post about the future of kratom, we often talk about the importance of research. Research about kratom over the last decade has remained fairly limited. Limitations are caused by a lack of funding as well as the problem of confusing supply streams. Additionally, there is the constantly changing legal situation in the US and other countries to consider when doing research.

Recently, it’s been seen that more kratom research may be funded in order to discover whether kratom may have benefits outside its intended use as a wellness product. With the growing public health crisis in America, it’s great to see kratom being taken more seriously.

And, it’s interesting to see exactly what is being considered. Today, we’ll talk about the December Congress Appropriations Bill, what type of research could be funded, and what that might mean for the future of kratom in America.

What Legislation Was Passed?

Every year, the American government has to set up the fiscal budget for the upcoming year. While this budget is technically due in on October 1st before the new year begins, it often isn’t submitted until well into the new year.

The FY2020 budget, however, was passed in the form of two mini bills in late December. Together, these two legislation packages set up appropriations for the 12 required areas. The bills, H.R. 1865 and H.R. 1158, set the stage for all government-funded agencies and programs for the next year.

Overall, most areas were given budget increases, so this is good science for science, research, and social services going into the future.

New Kratom Legislation

Legislation about kratom was included within these bills, and we are excited about the potential that comes along with this change.

The FY2020 Appropriations Bills passed by Congress specifically mention the need to do more research about natural products that might be able to be used in place of certain approved drugs. In particular, kratom and CBD are mentioned as potential alternatives that need to be studied in greater detail.

The bills list a need for doing more research about kratom to gain a better understanding of both the risks and the potential benefits of developing therapies from this natural substance. This additional research should also cover the details of kratom’s composition.

Overall, Congress suggested that at least $1 million dollars should be provided in research funding particularly to find an alternative to potentially harmful drugs that are currently causing a crisis in America.

Why Is More Research Needed?

You might be wondering why we find this research so important; why does it stand out from all of the other appropriations mentioned?

For us, kratom research is of the utmost importance, and it is something that we want to see happening more as soon as possible. Right now, kratom remains in a precarious position in America. While many states have passed Kratom Consumer Protection Laws to ensure the safety of kratom consumers, other states have passed laws against kratom consumption out of fear.

More research will make it possible for state and local governments to make clear and logical decisions about whether or not kratom should be legal. Organizations like the American Kratom Association do their best to help support kratom research and news, but support is needed on a federal level to make this type of research possible.

Without support from the federal government to do kratom research, it can be difficult for scientists to have access to kratom to be able to study it. This support will make it easier for kratom to be obtained for legal research, and that is sure to make a big difference in the future of kratom in America.

Other Legislation Updates

While the kratom research included in the legislation is very interesting, it certainly wasn’t the only thing that was included in these packets! Much of the fiscal budgeting passed is not directly related to natural substances or our areas of expertise, so we are only going to focus on overviewing the most related areas.

  • Cannabis Research:
    Cannabis came up a number of times throughout the conversations about the budget. In particular, Congress suggested that the National Institute on Drug Abuse do a report about how cannabis is currently being classified on the drug scheduling system.

    Currently, cannabis is still somewhat difficult to study because it is federally classified as a Schedule I substance. This means that scientists cannot always access it if they are using federal funding, so that should change in the future. The change will allow additional studies to be done more freely.
  • Medical Cannabis:
    Congress also included provisions to ensure that the federal government cannot prevent medical marijuana programs from being set up or continued in individual states.
  • Hemp Farming Provisions:
    Politicians took the time and effort to ensure that the process of hemp farming legalization is still going smoothly. The Farming Act of 2018 ensured that the hemp industry would get a boost, but there is still more that can be done to ensure that farmers are getting the support that they need. For FY2020, $16.5 million was set aside for this.

Progress in America

All of these provisions show that there is positive momentum in American politics to decriminalize, legalize, and protect consumers of natural substances. This is the momentum that we love seeing, and we are excited to track this progress as it continues.

To see this kind of change in America, we continue to support organizations like the American Kratom Association that are working to ensure that consumers are protected. Protection is needed to ensure that consumers aren’t at risk for buying tainted goods and also to make sure they aren’t at risk of prosecution.

Overall, we are excited about the progress happening in America in regards to natural products, and we can’t wait to see what else happens!

Kratom Update: Removed From “Narcotics List” In Thailand

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It’s both very cool and very scary that the laws about kratom in this country and around the world are changing rapidly. On the one hand, bans are being enacted in some areas where negative propaganda has outweighed kratom support. On the other hand, positive changes are also happening almost every day.

In late December, representatives of Thailand’s government made it known that kratom will be formally removed from the narcotics list in Thailand in the near future.

If you know anything about where kratom comes from or the history of kratom laws in Thailand, you know that’s a pretty big deal. Let’s talk about why this matters, what exactly is changing, and how we can expect those changes to effect kratom use in the USA.

The Big Changes

A few major things have happened in Thailand:

  1. 1. Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly has voted (166 – 0) to legalize medical marijuana.
  2. 2. They also agreed to change the way that the National Narcotics Control Committee is set up.
  3. 3. Thailand’s Health and Justice Ministers wrote a memorandum advocating for the removal of both kratom and cannabis from the National Narcotics List and set them up for medical usage.

Each of these three changes has to go through the government before they are fully enacted, but change is on the horizon.

Let’s talk about each of these changes briefly, and then we’ll go into more detail about the kratom changes.

#1: Legalize Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana was passed through the National Assembly with overwhelming support. It will take some time for the logistics of how medical marijuana will be managed, so it is not expected for this law to change on paper for a few more months.

In Thailand, laws are not usually considered active until they are published in the national gazette.

At this time, it is also not clear if the current punishments for possession or use of marijuana outside of medical usage. Currently, the punishment in Thailand for this type of possession is very severe, so it will be interesting to see if that changes.

#2: Narcotics Control Committee

The Narcotics Control Committee is the organization in Thailand that controls the punishments, laws, and scheduled narcotics list in Thailand. This organization has faced some scrutinization over time, so the structure of it will be changing.

#3: Memorandum For Kratom Removal

Thailand’s government has started the process of removing kratom and marijuana from the national narcotics list. The memorandum states that these substances should be moved into a controlled and regulated industry as they will have a lot of benefits for Thai people as well as the economy.

Now that the memorandum is in action, the next step will be for the National Legislative Assembly to vote on this change. The minister has suggested that the bill will be voted on by that group in March. If it passes, it will take a few more months for it to go into effect.

 When it is passed, companies will be able to start researching kratom, those with medical permission will be able to take kratom, and doctors will be able to use it to help patients as well.

Medical Changes First

It’s important to point out that these changes are aimed at only medical uses for both marijuana and kratom at this time. It is not expected for Thailand to completely legalize the use of either substance any time soon.

Think about the process that has been going on in the United States to legalize cannabis. First, limited medical usage was approved. Then, that usage was expanded in some states to be for recreational use as well. Now, it seems that the entire country is on the path for full legalization.

Should Thailand decide to fully decriminalize and legalize either of these substances, the process will likely go through a similar, gradual transition.

Thailand’s government has not yet set up the process for medical usage of either substance. However, some hospitals are already able to provide them for patient use.

A Changing Worldview

In the past, substances like marijuana and kratom were placed on the narcotics list for a variety of reasons. Still, the main reason was heavy opioid usage and the desire to cut down on any potential drug problems in the country.

These days, more research has been done about substances such as marijuana and kratom. The Thai government believes the research suggests beneficial effects. The government is seeing that changing the laws might be appropriate to reflect the science.

Another huge factor that is moving this idea along in Thailand is the idea that it could be great for the economy. Kratom production is severely regulated around the world, and the supply stream is dwindling. In Indonesia, for example, all kratom farms are being required to close in the next five years.

If Thailand were to start producing kratom and allow its sale internationally, it could secure a large boost for its economy. While nothing has yet been decided about whether or not kratom farming and processing will be permitted, it’s likely something that the government will consider.

Will This Affect Kratom In The US?

Most people that are using kratom and living in the US are going to be most curious about how these changes might affect them.

Ultimately, there are a few different ways that these changes could affect us here in the states. At this point, all of this is speculation, so keep that in mind. It will take a few months to know if any direct or waterfall effects occur here after these laws are made official.

First, it is possible that this change in Thailand’s laws will make it even more difficult for the FDA to push through an outright ban on kratom. Currently, the FDA often cites the fact that kratom is considered a narcotic in Thailand, where it grows wild. Once kratom is treated differently in Thailand, kratom might stand a better chance here, too.

Second, the change in laws about kratom in Thailand may make it easier for researchers to access and study kratom as it grows in the wild as well as in controlled settings.

Frequently, kratom is written off because people don’t believe that enough research about it has been done. While the research done about kratom is actually fairly extensive, more research is always beneficial when trying to prove the safety and usefulness of a botanical like kratom.