In 2019, an estimated 115 million Americans went shopping on Black Friday, and since 2006, more than 100 people suffered injuries in this pandemonium.
It’s impossible to say how many of these shoppers were looking for kratom, but if they were and if they had been smart, they would have found a reputable seller online instead. Online, they could have found higher-quality kratom, for a lower price, and without any risk of injury.
Fortunately, you are smart. Using this guide, you can get all the information you need to find the best deals on kratom during Black Friday 2020, all while staying safe at home in your pajamas.
What is Kratom?
Kratom is a tropical tree in the coffee family. It is native to Southeast Asia, specifically Thailand, Indonesia, Malasia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea.
The word “kratum” originally comes from the Thai language so, not surprisingly, there is some debate on how to pronounce it in English. The two main variations are “KRAT-um” (rhymes with atom) and “KRAY-tum”. The American Kratom Association uses the second pronunciation, but there is no definite pronunciation yet.
Different Kratom Strains
Depending on where the plant grows, kratom can come in three different strains: red vein, white vein, and green vein. You can tell the difference between the stains by looking at the stems (which are removed during processing) and the veins in the leaves.
The best-selling and most widely available strain of kratom is red vein, in part because red vein kratom grows very well in Southeast Asia and has a higher alkaloid content. Red vein varieties include Red Thai, Borneo Red, and Red Sumatra.
White vein kratom has paler veins and a lower alkaloid content than red vein. Growers pick it when it is young and dry it indoors away from sunlight to ensure the veins stay pale. Popular strains include Pontianak White Horn, White Sumatra, and white vein Maeng-Da, which is one of the highest-grade kratom products.
Green vein kratom has the lowest alkaloid content of the three. But, green vein also has higher flavonoid contents. Green Bali, Green Borneo, and Green Malay are three of the most popular sub-strains.
The Legal Situation for Kratom
Before you take to the web and search for “black friday kratom deals”, it’s important to note that certain areas cannot order this or possess this productl. At the moment, kratom is legal at the federal level, but the DEA has been looking at it further. In 2016, the DEA wanted to make kratom a Schedule I drug, but has not yet accomplished this.
But, following an outcry from kratom advocates and interested scientists, the DEA reversed its decision. The agency decided to leave it up to individual states to regulate kratom. Still, the FDA has not approved kratom for any use.
Right now, kratom is illegal to buy, sell, or possess in six states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
In other states, kratom is legal, but states may regulate it depending on the laws in that state. This map from the Sprout Health Group breaks down the legality of kratom in each state.
Buying Kratom on Black Friday
If you’re interested in buying kratom on Black Friday 2020, it’s important to find a reputable seller, not just focus on the best deals. Contaminants in kratom are a serious problem and you’ll want to make sure your seller has a wide history of positive customer reviews online as well as transparent verbiage on their website – just like us here at EZ Kratom!
For this reason, finding quality kratom is just as important, if not more important, than picking up the best Black Friday deals.
Recognizing a Reputable Seller
Most people buy their kratom online, which is better than buying kratom from a head shop, vape store, or another inexperienced seller, but it also creates its own set of problems. Luckily, certain signs can help you decide who is legitimate.
The first two things to look for are guarantees, either of quality or to get your money back, and independent, third-party lab testing. This means the seller has sent a sample from each batch of kratom to an unrelated lab that certifies the quality of the kratom. The best sellers will even post the lab reports on their websites.
Ideally, the company will also highlight where specifically they get their kratom from, and their ties to reputable providers in areas where kratom is indigenous. You can be more confident that the kratom you purchased from the Black Friday Kratom Sale is high-quality if there are fewer steps between when your seller harvested it and when it gets to you.
The final step is to look at the website itself. The site should look professional and include accurate information about kratom.
Recognizing Quality Kratom
Once you’ve made a decision to purchase kratom, there are certain things about the kratom itself to check out. The first sign of quality is the packaging. High-quality kratom won’t come in unmarked plastic bags. How a company chooses to label its products can tell you a lot about the time and effort they put into those products.
The labeling should include when and where the seller harvested the kratom since the harvesting time affects the alkaloid content. Obviously, it also shouldn’t mention any additives.
Storing Kratom Properly
Buying quality kratom is just the first step. To make sure your kratom keeps that quality, you need to store it properly as well. Like any other product, kratom has a certain life expectancy and will degrade over time it’s not properly stored.
When storing kratom, you want to avoid changes in temperature, direct sunlight, and moisture most importantly. If the kratom gets soggy, it will rot, so humidity can also be a problem.
Air-tight, opaque plastic containers or jars generally work well (so do vacuum-sealed bags if you have a sealer). You can then place that container in a cold storage if possible which are generally cool, dark, and dry.
While the alkaloid content of kratom is highest within the first 3 months after harvest, you can extend the expectancy of your kratom to a year or more with proper storage.
Buy Green, Save Green on Black Friday
You now have all the information you need to get the best deal on the right, high-quality strain of kratom this Black Friday. There’s no sense wasting money on an inferior product from an inexperienced seller when there are places online that you can find lab-tested, wholesale kratom.
If you’re ready to buy, check out some of our great products available in all three strains and more. Or if before you buy, you want an even more in-depth breakdown of kratom, how to store it, or what to look for when you buy it, look through some of our other articles.
