Is Kratom Legal in Pennsylvania in 2023?
kratom-legality
29 Sep, 2022
0
Is Kratom Legal in Pennsylvania in 2023?
In 2023, Kratom remains legal in Pennsylvania, though it has not been without significant challenges. Known as “the Keystone State,” Pennsylvania is famous for the historic Liberty Bell and as one of the founding U.S. states. So if you reside in Pennsylvania or plan to visit this, you’ll be pleased to know that Kratom is currently legal to purchase, possess and distribute. In this article, you’ll find out why.
- What is Kratom?
- Laws and Legislation of Kratom in Pennsylvania
- How can I buy Kratom in Pennsylvania?
- The AKA and Kratom Advocacy in Pennsylvania
What is Kratom?
Mitragyna speciosa Korth. (of the Rubiaceae family) is a 20 to 40-foot-high tropical tree indigenous to Southeast Asia but now cultivated elsewhere. In Thailand, the tree and leaf preparations from it are called Kratom. Traditionally, fresh or dried Kratom leaves are chewed or made into tea and seldom smoked. Kratom has stimulant effects at a low dose and is used to combat fatigue during long working hours. At high dosages, however, it can have sedative-narcotic effects. The main psychoactive components in the leaves are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, found only in Mitragyna speciosa.
Laws and Legislation of Kratom in Pennsylvania
There have various efforts to regulate and ban Kratom. In June 2022, the Pennsylvania House passed House Bill 2357, which would ban the sale of Kratom to anyone younger than 18. In addition, businesses that violate the law would be subject to fines ranging from $100 to $500 for a first-time offense. The bill’s original version included quantity limits of certain alkaloids in Kratom, a ban on synthetic alkaloids, and a ban on Kratom products that included controlled substances. Today Kratom remains legal. The American Kratom Association hopes to introduce the Kratom Consumer Protection Act soon.
Where can I buy Kratom in Pennsylvania?
Kratom is relatively new in the U.S, and some companies may take that advantage to make money by selling low-quality, substandard, untested and sometimes adulterated products. Until the FDA or other laws regulate Kratom, it’s therefore essential for you to do your research when buying it at a store or online.
Search the Internet for Kratom suppliers and stores, read Google reviews and look at the company’s longevity and return guarantee. The Kratom community is passionate, and customers are very vocal about the sales, services and quality of different Kratom companies.
The FDA does not recognize Kratom, meaning vendors have no regulations to comply with besides their own. Unfortunately, incidents of contaminated or adulterated Kratom sold on the market do abound. Your best bet is to buy from a reputable Kratom vendor. Such vendors will provide fresh, 100 percent Kratom, stand by their product and provide guidance and direction for your Kratom. Kingdom Kratom, for example, in business since 2017, is a Texas-based company that has become one of the leading suppliers of Kratom in the United States. They focus on delivering the highest quality Kratom, made using only all-natural, organic, sustainably sourced ingredients. All of their products are lab tested for purity and potency, so you can be sure you’re getting a high-quality product. Give their sample packs a try!
The American Kratom Association
The American Kratom Association (AKA) is a non-profit advocacy group established in 2014, committed to preserving and protecting the freedom of Kratom or Mitragyna Speciosa. It advocates for continued regulation to ensure Kratom quality and also for increased research on the benefits of Kratom. The AKA continues to work tirelessly to have Kratom legal in every state. You can help in that effort by joining the AKA as a “protector” of Kratom. You’ll then receive notification of any changes to laws and any advocacy needed. Your help is critical to this effort, and you can join the email list here.
The Kratom Consumer Protection Act
The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KPCA) is legislation the American Kratom Association introduced that encourages advocacy for Kratom education and research. In addition, it sets legal guidelines for the industry regarding labeling, ingredients, and age restrictions. The Act prohibits the sale of adulterated or misbranded Kratom. The KCPA would also create a voluntary certification program for Kratom retailers and manufacturers.
The Kratom Consumer Protection Act is under consideration in more than 20 states, says a spokesperson for the American Kratom Association. The organization hopes Pennsylvania will soon join the eight other states where versions of the legislation have passed as of 2023. The KPCA has passed in Utah, Georgia, Arizona, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, Missouri and Oklahoma.
To see if Kratom is legal in your state, check out this map, courtesy of the American Kratom Association.
