Nevertheless, several states allow the botanical’s legality. That brings up a question: is kratom legal in Louisiana?
Louisiana has a particularly tricky relationship with kratom. We’ll explore the state’s relationship with this substance in this guide! Read on to find the answers you need about this drug.
What Exactly is Kratom?
First, let’s be clear about what kratom is. The kratom plant comes from a tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain a chemical called mitragynine.
Mitragynine is the source of the drug’s controversy. Its properties remain similar to opioids like morphine. Because of this, many people believe it has pain-killing effects.
There are several strains of kratom, usually identified by colors. The most common are red, green, and white kratom veins. You may also find gold kratom strains.
Various sources claim there are differences between these types of kratom. However, governments rarely make distinctions between any of these strains. States that ban kratom generally ban all of its forms.
How Does Kratom Legality Work?
Currently, the FDA does not regulate kratom usage or trafficking. As a matter of federal law, people remain free to purchase and sell kratom. For this reason, many states continue to allow kratom sale and posession.
There are currently six states in which kratom is an illegal drug. These six states include:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
You may see that list and think, “I’m all good! My state hasn’t outlawed kratom.”
However, kratom may still have some legal red tape in your state. Some local municipalities also outlaw kratom possession and selling, even though their state has not outlawed this substance. Other states may have additional restrictions on kratom usage.
For example, some states have laws that require an age restriction for kratom buyers. Others have cities or counties that have outlawed this herbal remedy.
These facts demonstrate the necessity of doing your due diligence. Be specific when researching kratom’s legality in your state. Otherwise, you may face fines or other issues because of your locality.
Is Kratom Legal in Louisiana?
So, with all that out of the way, let’s get to the critical question. Is kratom legal in Louisiana?
The short answer is yes, at least for now. However, there are several caveats to consider for this state. We’ll cover some questions surrounding kratom’s Louisiana legality in the following sections.
Franklin Parish Police Jury’s Stance on Kratom
As mentioned, local municipalities can impose laws and regulations against kratom in their jurisdiction. One of these Louisiana municipalities is Franklin Parish.
According to a 2022 report, the parish police jury is considering implementing an ordinance banning kratom. The parish has scheduled a public hearing for Dec 20. During this meeting, the jury will hear public comments regarding the ordinance.
Local police decided that kratom could be a potential threat because of increased uses in rehab centers. Currently, kratom is legal in the parish; several convenience stores sell the product.
Rapides Parish Ordinance
The push against kratom in Franklin Parish follows a ban in Rapides Parish, LA, regarding kratom. On Monday, Oct 10, the parish police jury unanimously voted to pass two ordinances that ban the sale and possession of this substance.
The reasoning behind this ban follows concerns about the potentially addictive nature of kratom. While the authorities see this issue, there are several other parish citizens who disagree with the resolution. Kratom sellers claim that the product helps people overcome certain issues.
Will Louisiana Retain Legal Kratom Usage?
Despite the fact that these two parishes banned the sale and possession of kratom, Louisiana seems likely to retain its state legality. Several bills, ordinances, and other measures have attempted to ban kratom statewide.
However, in each case, Louisiana’s state government turned them down. There is only one possible exception to the rule, which comes from a bill passed in 2019.
This bill makes the state criminalize kratom if the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classified it as an illegal substance. The same penalty will result if the DEA classifies its alkaloids as illegal.
In other words, Louisiana will only declare kratom illegal if the federal government does so first. Currently, that does not seem likely.
Although the DEA views kratom negatively, the FDA currently does not regulate the substance. This factor makes it difficult for the DEA to ban kratom wholesale since it usually does so when the FDA makes a petition.
Buying Legal Kratom in Louisiana
As you can see, the question, “Is kratom legal in Louisiana” is complicated. Some parts of the state have outlawed the substance, even though it technically remains legal in Louisiana.
If you’re interested in buying legal kratom, ensure you purchase it in sanctioned areas. You can find online and in-person stores that sell kratom legally to Louisiana citizens.
Our website is one of those stores! You can find various types of kratom on our site, so check out our products today.
