international

Kratom’s Evolving Legal Status

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Please note: The information provided in this post does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; rather, all information and content referenced in this post are for general informational purposes only.  This post may not contain the most up-to-date legal or other information. We encourage you to do your own thorough research to verify information and to check your local laws and regulations if you have questions about kratom’s legality in your area.

Local, federal, and international laws pertaining to kratom are constantly evolving. Here in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put forth a great deal of misinformation in an effort to ban the plant, while organizations like the American Kratom Association (AKA), along with consumers, scientists, and other advocates work hard to ensure safe and legal access to this important botanical.

Laws change regularly, but we’ve gathered the most recent information about kratom’s legal status so you can educate yourself and advocate for kratom.

Kratom in the U.S.: Is It Legal in My State?

As of 2019, six states have banned kratom by listing it as a controlled substance. Kratom cannot be consumed, sold, or grown in these states. A few localities – cities and counties – have also made kratom illegal. Because new laws are enacted each year, it’s helpful to use the AKA’s resources to keep track of kratom’s legal status in your state.

States with Kratom Bans:

Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin

Localities with Kratom Bans:

Jerseyville, Illinois; San Diego, California; Sarasota County, Florida; Union County, Mississippi; Denver, Colorado (not illegal, but “not for human consumption”)

States with the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA):

Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Utah

States with Age Restrictions:

New Hampshire: 18 and older; Tennessee: 21 and older; all states with KCPA

The American Kratom Association is currently working in over a dozen states to further enact the KCPA. This legislation would ensure both consumer safety and the legality of the kratom industry in states where it passes. Phyto wholeheartedly supports these efforts and is proud to work with the AKA to keep kratom legal.

Kratom Around the World: Is It Legal in My Country?

It is sometimes difficult to figure out kratom’s legal status in other countries because laws change on a regular basis. We try to stay current on international law, but we do not ship kratom internationally because of uncertainty around its status in some areas.

It’s always a good idea to do your own research before traveling abroad; look into local laws where you’re going, or check Reddit for answers to your international kratom questions.

Africa:
It’s not easy to find information about kratom’s legal status in Africa. We have learned that it is legal in South Africa but not widely used or even known.

Americas:
Canada’s laws are similar to Denver’s (above), where kratom is “not for human consumption.” You may find kratom described as plant matter, incense, or other vague terms. Kratom is legal in North and Central Latin America, as well as in South America. It’s not illegal in these places, but it’s also not very popular or easy to find.

Asia:
Kratom is banned in Israel, Japan, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam. It is legal in Hong Kong, but information kratom in China is limited.

In Thailand, kratom had been illegal since 1943, but this has recently changed. This month, the Thai government removed both kratom and cannabis from the country’s list of controlled substances, stating that these botanicals did not meet the World Health Organization’s criteria for narcotics.

Indonesia, where much of the kratom in the west is grown, is currently considering a ban on kratom exports. The American Kratom Association is working to educate the Indonesian government in an effort to impact this potential ban.

Europe:
Kratom is illegal across the board in Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia and Sweden. Due to changing laws, you should check local legislation for information about Ireland, Italy, and United Kingdom.

Oceania: Australia & New Zealand
Kratom is completely banned in Australia. It is a Schedule 1 substance in New Zealand, so it’s basically illegal. In some localities it may be prescribed by a doctor.

How You Can Help

We’ve seen some exciting developments internationally, and we are eager to continue the kratom conversation on a world-wide scale. While there is some concern that Indonesia may implement a ban on kratom exports, there’s also great news in Thailand removing kratom from its list of banned substances.

Here in the US, we should always be ready to advocate for kratom, especially as legislative sessions get going in early 2020. AKA has a solid plan in place to keep kratom legal on both the state and federal levels, and we support their work as much as possible.

Visit the AKA’s website to learn more about how you can get involved with advocacy efforts for our favorite botanical!

What’s Going On In Thailand: A Tour Guide

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Thailand is a beautiful and enticing country with a long history. While many people on our site might not know much more about Thailand than that some of their favorite strains of kratom are billed as Thai kratom, there’s a lot more that you could learn!

A popular tourist destination, Thailand is home to many different spots that are very interesting to learn more about. From stunning beaches to rich, cultured history, a tour of Thailand is sure to bring a lot of excitement into your life.

Phytoextractum is going to take you on a personal tour of Thailand today with this custom tour guide. Are you ready to learn more?

Thailand: The Introduction

The first thing that you should get to know are the basics!

There are currently more than 68 million people living in Thailand. While there are big cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai to visit, the 76 regions of Thailand are also dotted with amazing villages and mountain towns that are still very small in size. Like any other country, you can find a variety of types of cities and towns.

The currency currently used in Thailand is the Thai Baht. One USD is equal to about 30 Thai Baht, so you will need to do some conversions on the fly while you are shopping there if you want to know how much something costs.

Finally, Thailand is the 50th largest country in the world. It is just a little bit larger than Spain. Thailand’s weather and environment differ quite a bit in most northern regions when compared to the southern, tropical areas. Depending on what time of year you visit, you may want to consider which region will be most enjoyable to be in.

Visiting Thailand: Timing & Budget

Since we’re talking about the weather, let’s get a bit more in detail about what time of year is the best time of year to visit and how much you can expect to spend when vacationing in Thailand.

Timing

Generally speaking, you will probably want to visit during the winter months. This is because you can avoid the hottest and the wettest weather if you come between December and March!

If you visit between May and October, you’re likely to deal with rainy conditions for a large portion of your trip. Between March and May, the temperature skyrockets into uncomfortable ranges. 

For that reason, visiting during the cool season of November to February is usually a better choice to avoid the worst types of weather that happen in Thailand. If you can’t visit in that range, however, don’t worry too much! Thailand is beautiful at any time of year; just make sure that you are prepared to handle the weather conditions that you will find there.

Budget

Another factor that you will want to consider is your budget. How much are you prepared or expecting to spend while in Thailand?

Depending on the type of accommodations that you want to stay in, you’ll need to budget anywhere from $6 to $40. Many hotels cost less than $40 per night unless you want to stay in very high-end suites.

As far as food goes, eating like a local can save you a bunch! Street vendors sell complete meals for less than $2 a meal, and eating at small restaurants usually costs between $5 and $7 for each meal. High-end restaurants come in around $15 to $25 in most cases, and that is still very affordable when compared to other tourist destinations.

Types of Areas To Visit

When people head to Thailand, there are a number of different types of things that they tend to do. We’ve outlined a few different types of trips that you might want to experience while in Thailand!

The Island Adventurer

Many people head to Thailand to relax on a beach, and that can definitely be accomplished in the southern regions of Thailand! Here, you can hit up coastal resorts, island hop to smaller islands, or just hang out on the first beach you find. 

We recommend heading to some of the more popular beaches like those near Phuket and then head to a marine reserve or park to get a more pristine, nature-focused beach experience. Beaches in Thailand can be crowded, so visiting both types of locations is a great way to ensure you have a great and balanced experience.

Mountain Regions

The northern region of Thailand is home to the Thai Highlands. These highlands are spotted with mountain villages that are a joy to visit, and there are a lot of outdoor activities that you can take part in when visiting there. Whether you want to go hiking or just hang out in the mountain air, you can do both of these things in northern Thailand.

Temples & History

Thailand has a very rich history, and the temples that scatter the country are some of the most amazing things to see. No matter which area of Thailand you find yourself in, you can be sure that there are some beautiful temples to be soon. Most temples in Thailand are still functioning Buddhist temples as well, so there’s a lot to be learned from the visitation experience.

City Hopper

Don’t forget that Thailand is more than just jungles and beaches. There are many large cities in Thailand that are rich in technology, culture, and nightlife! When visiting a city like Bangkok or Chiang Mai, you can experience the many sides of Thailand in a single location.

Big metropolitan cities can be overwhelming when visiting if you aren’t used to the hustle and bustle, so you will want to take a tour or some extra time to get acclimated to the area when you first arrive. But don’t be afraid because the cities of Thailand are thrilling places to explore!

Thailand: More Than Just Kratom

As you can see, there is a lot more to learn about in Thailand than just kratom. While kratom does play a part in Thailand’s working history, the day-to-day life of the country doesn’t necessarily rely on kratom. 

Tourists who visit Thailand are met with a beautiful and culture-heavy society where you can immerse yourself in a colorful, wondrous world unlike anything else you’ve ever known!