While less than 1% of Americans buy kratom, its legality is a hot topic. Lawmakers and researchers can’t seem to come to a decision about whether or not this supplement should be legal, and if it should be, what its regulations should be.
You may want to know if your own local laws allow kratom. If you’re in the state of California, you’re in luck! We’re here to talk all about whether or not kratom is legal according to California law, as well as a few complications.
Read on to learn more.
Why Is Kratom Illegal In Some Places?
People may be surprised to learn that even within the United States, kratom is legal in some states and illegal in others. As we’ll discuss later, it’s even restricted or banned in individual cities even if it’s legal in the state as a whole.
Why is that?
While scientists and researchers are working hard to determine good uses for kratom, as well as how to use it safely in controlled and uncontrolled environments, it’s not an FDA-approved substance.
There is no official therapeutic use for kratom. That doesn’t mean that people don’t use kratom therapeutically or that there are no genuine kratom benefits, but the FDA has made no official statement on the matter.
This is why kratom is officially a dietary supplement rather than a drug or medication. The benefit of this is that you don’t need a prescription to purchase it, but the downside is that it’s not well-regulated.
When you buy kratom online or in person, you’re responsible for doing your own research on the substance. Many people don’t do that, and as a result, find themselves in bad situations. An overall ban on kratom could protect people who are unable to do research for themselves.
There is no regulatory body passing judgment on kratom. The FDA hasn’t approved it but also hasn’t banned it. States get to decide their own laws regarding kratom usage.
There are, of course, other reasons kratom isn’t legal in certain, but the primary one is that the government is trying to keep people safe. This may change in the future after more research is done about kratom.
Is Kratom Legal in California?
Overall, yes. Kratom is legal in California.
People who want to buy kratom in California have to be legal adults. It’s important that people who are underage do not try to buy kratom.
People who live in California can, for the most part, buy kratom either in person or online without dealing with any legal ramifications. They can also use kratom in the privacy of their own homes without worrying about being on the wrong side of the law.
California doesn’t have any official buyer protections for kratom users, however. In Arizona and several other states, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act protects buyers, and California could benefit from a similar act.
The Kratom Consumer Protection Act prohibits dangerous sales and protects safe ones. It also provides helpful information about dosage and side effects to consumers.
Until such an act is in place in California, kratom legality isn’t set in stone according to California law.
Exceptions to Legality in California
While kratom is legal on a state level in California, individual cities don’t all agree that it should be that way. In San Diego and Oceanside, it’s illegal to buy kratom. There’s a full kratom ban.
Now, while many people will just buy their kratom outside of San Diego or Oceanside and drive it in, this does restrict kratom sales somewhat. Even online vendors can’t ship kratom to San Diego or Oceanside addresses.
If you’re a San Diego or Oceanside resident, you may be out of luck. You can try to get involved with your local government to enact change and make sure you vote if kratom legalization is ever on the ballot.
What States Don’t Allow Kratom?
So where can’t you use kratom? In most states, kratom is legal (though, in some cases, it’s only legal on a state level, like in California).
Kratom is illegal in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin at the time of this article.
There are also some states with various restrictions. Those include Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Tennessee, and Utah. Restrictions in these states are often reasonable (such as age limits).
In all other states, there’s less available legislation about kratom.
Traveling With Kratom
So what about if you’re traveling with kratom? Is it legal to fly with kratom at all?
Because there’s no federal ruling on kratom, you can technically travel with it on domestic flights. However, this may turn into a problem with TSA. While you’ll be in the right, you may end up late for your flight if you have an inquisitive TSA officer.
If you’re traveling internationally, the destination country has to have legalized kratom. If not, you won’t be able to take it with you.
Yes, Kratom Is Legal in California
While laws are somewhat confusing, on a state level, kratom is legal in California. As long as you don’t live in Oceanside or San Diego, you shouldn’t have a problem buying or holding kratom legally.
Are you looking for a reliable kratom vendor for your next purchase? At EZ Kratom, we’ve got you covered. We have a variety of high-quality kratom products that we can ship right to your door.
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