LCK

How (And Why!) To Use Your Credit Card To Buy Bitcoin

March 25, 2020 by LCK

While buying kratom online is very convenient, you might notice that many kratom vendors do not accept debit or credit card payments at this time. Some sites still accept these payment methods, but many vendors like us here at Left Coast Kratom are sticking to more secure payment methods.

Specifically, we encourage our customers to consider using cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, to buy kratom when shopping online!

There are a few specific reasons for this. Mainly, there is a chance that your credit card or debit card company includes more fees than when working with cryptocurrency. Additionally, purchasing via cryptocurrency is more secure and ensures an added layer of privacy when shopping online. Finally, some people may be afraid to use their credit cards to buy kratom because of its legal status being in a gray area; using Bitcoin instead keeps your anonymity.

Still, using cryptocurrency if you aren’t familiar with it can be confusing. Today, we’ll share how to use your credit card to buy Bitcoin so that you can complete online transactions in a safe, secure way.

An Introduction to Cryptocurrency

Most people have heard the terms Bitcoin and cryptocurrency tossed around before, but not everyone is familiar with what these words really mean. Cryptocurrency is still a relatively new phenomenon, so it is understandable that not everyone is eager to get involved with this industry.

A lot of people think of cryptocurrency as digital cash. While this is an apt way to describe it, it is also not exactly accurate. Cryptop currency is almost like an online token that can be purchased using another form of currency, such as US dollars.

Blockchain, a decentralized system that records and manages all transactions, is used to monitor and set up cryptocurrency systems.

People like cryptocurrency because of the high level of both security and anonymity. Additionally, cryptocurrency is not managed by any specific bank or government, so it is a bit more efficient in terms of costs and fees.

Using A Credit Card To Get Bitcoin

To be able to shop online using Bitcoin, you will need to store your Bitcoin in some type of wallet. There are a few different types of wallets, but the easiest type of wallet to get for Bitcoin beginners is an online wallet. This wallet is a funded account that you can use to pay via Bitcoin while shopping online.

There are many different online Bitcoin providers hosts, such as Coinmama and Coinbase. We recommend Coinbase for wallets and Coinmama for buying Bitcoin with a credit card.

The easiest ways to fund your wallet are to use a bank account or a debit card. Wire transfers are also a great option if you want to fund a wallet with a large transaction amount.

What can be more complicated to do, however, is to fund your Bitcoin wallet with a credit card. While this used to be very simple, it’s not as easy to do because credit card companies have placed some restrictions on how Bitcoin reloads can and cannot be done.

Set Up Your Coinbase Wallet

Before you purchase any Bitcoin, you’ll want to set up a wallet. Credit-card friendly provider Coinmama does not offer a wallet or store any coin for you, so you need to have this in advance.

We recommend using Coinbase for a third-party online wallet holder. If you want something even more secure, do some research into hardware wallets and get yourself set up with a hardware wallet.

Funding Your Wallet With A CC on Coinmama

Coinmama is a great option for funding a Bitcoin wallet via a credit card. While they do require a fee to be able to fund the account with a credit card, this is something that you will see from every provider. This is because credit cards have higher processing fees, so those fees are passed on to you in order to be able to fund your account.

Here are the steps that you need to follow to make a Coinmama account and fund the wallet:

• First, register for a Coinmama account on their website.
• At the end of the registration process, you will need to verify your identity. This must be done before you can fully fund the account.
• Choose the type of cryptocurrency that you want to purchase (Bitcoin).
• Decide if you want to buy one of the site’s packages or a specific amount.
• Enter the public key for the wallet you want the Bitcoin to be sent to.
• Choose your payment method.
• Confirm your wallet address, pay, and then receive the funds immediately.

Paying With Bitcoin on Left Coast Kratom

Now that you have money in your Bitcoin wallet, let’s move through the steps to pay with Bitcoin on Left Coast Kratom.

First, add the items that you are interested in purchasing to your cart. Once you have everything that you want to get in your cart, click the cart in the upper right-hand corner of the page and visit the cart page.

On the cart page, click “check out.”

From here, you will be given the option to sign up for an account, sign in, or continue as a guest. While you are welcome to continue as a guest, we recommend signing up for an account if you don’t have one yet because you can earn discounts that you might not otherwise qualify for.

On the next page, you will be prompted to fill out your personal, billing, and shipping information. Once you’ve completed these sections, select your shipping method of choice.

Finally, it will be time to choose your payment method. You have three options on Left Coast Kratom:

E-check
Bitcoin
Pay with Zelle

Select Bitcoin to pay with Bitcoin. A 10% discount will automatically be applied to your order whenever you use Bitcoin, so that will be updated when you move to the next step. Make sure that you have your Bitcoin wallet set up before you check out.

At check out, you will be sent both a QR code and a link to the Bitcoin address you need to pay the money to. Visit your Bitcoin wallet to send your payment. Once the payment is confirmed, your order will be packed and shipped on the same day!

US Kratom Research: Congress Funds New Kratom Research

March 11, 2020 by LCK

In December 2019, Congress passed the Appropriations Bill to help adjust and set the budget for the 2020 fiscal year. Each year, this bill can help to set up where money within the government will go and what types of output we can expect.

This year, the appropriations bill included specific distinctions for funding additional research on substances like marijuana, kratom, and cannabinol. Depending on how that research funding is divided and spent in the academic world, there is a good chance that we will see some new studies and results about kratom this year.

Kratom research is very important for the future of safe kratom usage in America. While kratom is a safe substance, proper monitoring and safety requirements for kratom companies could be improved if there was more solid research about this unique substance.

Additionally, there is a good chance that kratom could be developed into an opioid alternative, so more research into kratom could do wonders for the current opioid crisis in America.

Let’s review the Appropriations Bill and see what exactly is covered in the agreement.

What’s New In These Bills?

On December 17, 2019, the House passed through some legislation that would finalize the twelve fiscal funding bills needed for 2020. The bills they passed went through some further changes in the Senate before being passed. Now, H.R. 1865 and H.R. 1158 are in place and ready to set up the budgets for most government-funded organizations in the 2020 fiscal year.

These bills are the result of bipartisan negotiations, so they cover a wide variety of areas in a very balanced way.

While the various areas covered in this fiscal planning is very interesting, we are more interested in some research-focused funding that has been set aside in these government plans.

Kratom, Cannabis, and Other Natural Substances

Research allocated in these bills is set up to allow for more research on kratom, cannabis, and other natural substances. While it has become more and more common for these types of allocations to be made, it’s always great to see that there is a continued interest in finding out more about these substances that we are still working to fully understand.

Kratom Allocations

The opioid crisis an ongoing problem in America, and some politicians and activists have been trying to find ways to improve the situation for years. One popular opinion is that we need to find opioid alternatives that are less dangerous and addictive, so ongoing studies are focused on doing just that.

In the FY2020 Appropriations decisions, Congress set aside a minimum of $1 million dollars to be used in the search for an opioid alternative. In particular, the bills mentioned that kratom and CBD should be researched as potential opioid alternatives.

Kratom has been studied to limited degrees in America because the laws about kratom are not clear in every state and are very unclear on a national scale. For that reason, it is hard for kratom to be properly studied. With this new allocation that specifically includes kratom as a potential alternative to opioids for pain relief and other medical uses.

Research like this could be a major turning point for the future of kratom in America, so we will be keeping an eye on any potential studies that will come out of this funding.

Cannabis Inclusions

Another interesting inclusion in these appropriations was CBD. In addition to requestion that kratom is studied as an alternative for opioids, the National Institute for Health was also tasked with doing more research about whether or not CBD-based medications could be used as an alternative to opioids as well.

Congress also tasked the National Institute on Drug Abuse to analyze why cannabis is still being listed as a scheduled drug and what can be done to change this status. As of now, it is difficult to do research about cannabis as a federally-funded scientist because of this scheduled status. Should that status change, research will be able to happen more frequently.

Hemp Farming Specifics

Another area that was allocated some extra money was the hemp farming industry. The hemp industry has been struggling to come as strongly as it could despite the support provided by the Farming Act of 2018. This could be because the tenants of that act have not yet been fully enforced, so Congress set aside $16.5 million to ensure that the hemp industry can grow.

Hemp, as you might know, is an industrial crop that is used for industrial and manufacturing purposes. While hemp was banned as a crop many years ago, it is now being encouraged as a cash crop for many farmers in America.

Additional Points of Interest

The points made about kratom and CBD are great to hear, but these aren’t the only things that were decided in these appropriations. As mentioned, these appropriations are setting up the budget for the 2020 fiscal year, and that budget includes much more than research and provisions about natural substances.

Here are just a few of the interesting allocations made throughout these bills:

$10 million to research and prevent antibiotic-resistance
Funding money to promote health literacy
Increase in funding for the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Over $7 billion for the decennial 2020 Census
Additional money to include Puerto Rico and U.S. territories in the Census
8% increase in funding for the CDC
Dedicated CDC funding on gun research for the first time in 20 years

As you can see, there are a lot of considerations made throughout these appropriations that cover a wide variety of areas. It’s great to see kratom being included as an important topic worthy of additional funding alongside such important issues.

Going forward, it will be interesting to see how frequently more unique and inventive studies about natural substances like kratom and CBD will be included in federally funded research opportunities. These substances have been studied in a limited fashion, so additional studies could revolutionize various aspects of the medical world.

Only time will tell what these studies will find!

Neighborhood Alert: How To Find Kratom Near You

February 26, 2020 by LCK

Most kratom lovers are used to shopping for kratom online, connecting with other kratom fans online, and generally keeping all of their kratom-related activities in cyberspace. That, however, is not a requirement anymore.

Sticking to online spaces for all-things-kratom made sense up until a few years ago when the tide of laws about kratom use and legality in the US began to change. As kratom is legally protected and regulated in some states now, there are many areas where you can visit a local store to do your shopping.

Are you reading to learn how to find kratom near you? Are you excited at the idea of being able to buy kratom instantly rather than ordering it online and waiting for it to arrive?

There are benefits to being able to buy kratom in stores (just as there are benefits to buying online). Find out what these pros and cons are, and then learn how to find kratom stores near you.

The Pros of Buying Local

Considering buying kratom from a local hangout? There are some huge benefits to shopping this way, but you need to know what to expect.

When you buy in person, there are a few key benefits:

Get personalized assistance
See what you’re buying
Meet fellow kratom users

First, it’s possible that you’ll be able to get personalized attention and recognition in the moment while you are shopping for kratom at a local store. While you can get assistance online, this often involves a waiting period and may not be as fulfilling as having a discussion in a store.

Second, you can actually browse through the available stock to decide what you want to buy. While choosing the right kratom product for you isn’t necessarily about looks, it can be rewarding to see and touch the packages before you purchase anything.

If you aren’t sure what you want at all, going into a shop and simply choosing something that seems appealing to your mood that day will get you started on your kratom journey. Plus, you’ll be able to browse what is all available at the shop in a relatively short amount of time!

Finally, hanging out at a shop that sells kratom is sure to hook you up with locals in the community who are also fans of kratom. As it can be overwhelming to learn about kratom and the ongoing legal issues with kratom, having a community of supportive friends can be life-changing. Be sure to ask about any local kratom organizations while in the shop!

The Pros of Buying Online

Not everyone is going to like shopping in person, and that’s okay, too! There are great benefits to sticking to online purchasing, such as:

Easier to compare prices
No rush
Vetting vendors may be easier

First, it is much easier to compare prices between different vendors and products when you are shopping online, as you can visit multiple online storefronts at one time. This means that you may be able to get a better deal than you would find in person. You might even find a larger selection of options when shopping online from kratom vendors than you would in person.

Second, there isn’t any deadline or pressure to buy something in a certain amount of time. You might not feel comfortable mulling over your choice for hours in a physical shop, but you can leave your shopping windows open and come back with a decision on your own time when shopping online.

Finally, some people find that it is easier to vet vendors to ensure that they are following quality manufacturing practices when shopping online. Seeing accreditations and verifying that they are legitimate is somewhat less overwhelming online. Of course, it is also possible to check these things for a physical retail location as well.

Where To Find Kratom Near You

If you have decided that buying kratom at a store near you would fit in with your current plans better than buying online, it’s time to learn how to find where you can do your shopping. You might not be familiar with any kratom-specific shops in the area, but there are more and more shops that are now carrying kratom each month.

The most common shops that stock kratom include:

Smoke shops
CBD shops
Health shops

Are you familiar with any stores like these in your area? If not, you can simply look online to see what shops show up when you search for keywords like “kratom,” “CBD,” and “smoke shop.” From there, give the shops a call and see if they can point you in the right direction!

Consider Local Legalities

Has kratom been clearly legalized and regulated in your area? If so, it should be fairly easy to find out where to buy kratom locally. If you aren’t sure, do a quick search of your state’s name and “kratom laws” to find out what the status is.

If your area is not yet kratom-friendly, you might have to stick to buying online for the time being. Keep in mind, however, that even if kratom is clearly legalized it might not be illegal, either. If the laws are still unclear, call your local CBD and other shops to find out if they know of anywhere that reliably stocks kratom.

Remember: Check Their Reputation

As you should do when shopping from any kratom vendor, it is important to check the reputation of the seller. Where do they source their kratom from? Can they guarantee its quality in any way? Do they buy from AKA-approved sources?

It’s important to ensure that you are buying your kratom from trustworthy vendors, so do your due diligence and research the shop before you commit to buying anything. Regardless of whether you decide to shop online or to visit a local kratom store, be sure that you are doing the necessary research to keep yourself safe.

As more protections and guidelines for the kratom industry are created, this will be a less crucial step. For now, however, you must keep this in mind.

Urgent: Thailand Removes Kratom From Narcotics List

February 12, 2020 by LCK

News update: Thailand should be removing kratom and cannabis from their narcotics list!

Kratom has been a Schedule V narcotic on Thailand’s narcotics list for 76 years despite it being a substance used traditionally in parts of Thai culture. Additionally, the laws surrounding kratom usage, possession, and sale in Thailand are incredibly strict. Southeast Asia, in general, is known for having some of the strictest punishments for illegal drug use and possession.

The changes regarding kratom and cannabis in Thailand aren’t going to happen immediately. Here’s what is going to happen and when it is likely for those new laws to go into effect.

Kratom Removal From Narcotics List

The most important thing in regards to kratom that is happening in Thailand is the removal of kratom from the narcotics list. Kratom was added to this list more than 76 years ago, but that’s is going to be changing soon.

In December 2019, the Justice Minister in Thailand, Somsak Tapsutin, announced that the ministry no longer considers kratom as a narcotic. He has issued a memorandum stating as much alongside the country’s Health Minister.

When making this decision, the ministry cross-referenced with the guidelines laid out by the World Health Organization. These guidelines require that the substance is reasonably addictive, dangerous, and harmful to society to be made illegal.

The Justice Minister shared the ministry’s position that kratom is not addictive or harmful enough to be classified as a narcotic, so they are beginning the process to change their stance.

The minister even mentioned that kratom is known to have some positive effects. The ministry is interested in those effects being explored with research. Plus, kratom could be provided to the public for medical use as needed.

Saving More, Making More

This change in laws in Thailand is a sign of changing times. Kratom has been banned for at least 76 years there, and the initial ban caused a huge career train and strained some Thai farmers.

Now, Thai farmers have reason to believe that they might be able to move into a new, old industry: kratom. There’s a sense of optimism about the potential economic boost that opening up the kratom market, even just a little bit, in Thailand might do.

Farmers in countries like Indonesia, where kratom farming and exportation is being phased out, are struggling to figure out what crop they will move on to when the industry completely closes down. That change is going to cause a huge economic problem in an inverse manner to the potential growth of the industry in Thailand.

Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin has estimated that the government spends about 20,000 baht, almost $700, per case on up to 50,000 kratom cases each year. By lowering the restriction levels and the amount of money that must be spent on each kratom-related case, the government will be able to save a lot of money.

How Will The FDA Respond?

In the past, the FDA has regularly used Thailand’s classification of kratom as narcotic as an example of why kratom should be restricted or banned in the USA. Now that leaders in Thailand are issuing memorandums and changing the status of kratom. What will the FDA say now?

This is something that many people are interested in finding out. In particular, the American Kratom Association leaders, who have been waiting for years to have a sit down meeting with the FDA about kratom, find this news a huge push in the right direction.

Kratom does not grow naturally in America. Organizations often look to countries where it does grow wild to determine how a substance should be used. Thailand could be considered a leader in how to handle kratom laws. Only time will tell if this news affects the FDA’s stance at all.

Narcotics Control Committee Updates

Another organization that will be changing in Thailand is the Narcotics Control Committee. This organization deals with the classification of narcotic substances, control of narcotics laws, and other aspects of narcotics problems in Thailand.

For the past few years, people and other governmental organizations in Thailand have raised some criticisms of the committee and how it is set up.

Recently, the National Legislative Assembly in Thailand voted to change the way that the organization is run and how many members are on the committee.

Paving The Way For Medical Legalization & Research

The legalization of medical marijuana was voted on at the same National Legislative Assembly meeting, and it passed with a full assembly vote for yes. It will take a few months for this change to go into effect. Still, the legalization and regulation of cannabis as a medical substance is going to pave the way for kratom to be used in a similar way.

As the Justice Minister has set up both cannabis and kratom for legalization, the National Assembly will need to vote on kratom next. This vote is expected to happen sometime in March according to the minister, but no official date has been set yet.

If it does pass the NLA vote, it is possible that the respective laws in Thailand will be changed as soon as June.

Why This Matters To You

Though you are using kratom in a country far away from Thailand, it is still possible that this change will end up affecting the products that you are using.

Nothing has been officially decided yet, but Thailand could begin allowing kratom farming and exportation if they want to get into the international kratom market. That would change the supply chain and ultimately would change what kinds of products you can purchase.

Additionally, Thailand is setting up the country for more research into kratom because scientists will be able to study wild-occurring plants with more freedom. This research is incredibly important and plays a large role in the future legality of kratom.

Without this research, it will be hard to convince some states and organizations about the safety of kratom. Research has already been done about kratom, but a huge amount is needed to fully show what kratom is, what it can do, and what it can treat with more specificity than is currently available.

Kratom Legislation: Where and How Laws Are Changing

January 29, 2020 by LCK

The status of kratom in America is changing.

In 2019, four states passed Kratom Consumer Protection Acts. In 2020, the similar bills might be passed in twenty states or more!

For many years, kratom users here in the states have had to take kratom on the edges of legality. Not specifically illegal, not legally regulated, Kratom’s status is not always clear. In recent months, more states are making their positions about the botanical clear, but there is still a way’s to go.

The American Kratom Association, also known as the AKA, is at the forefront of this movement. They want to end this 2020 with protection laws for kratom users passed in 25 states. Currently, these laws only exist in four states.

Curious about why we support this goal and find it important not just for vendors but for consumers around the United States? Here’s why:

The Fear of Kratom in the United States

Many politicians in the U.S. are afraid of kratom and its legality because they don’t understand it. Many non-kratom users in America fear kratom because they see it as another potentially harmful drug. With the status of the addiction crisis in America, we can completely understand these fears.

Our fears for kratom, however, are different.

Scientific and anecdotal proof has already been enough for us to believe that kratom is a safe and beneficial substance for many people. What hasn’t been shown yet, however, is that the supply chain of kratom in America is safe for its users.

In many states, there is absolutely no regulation on kratom sales. This means that vendors could choose the lowest quality product that they want and put it for sale without any repercussions or laws to guide them.

The one that gets hurt most in this situation is the consumer!

Even if you don’t come in direct contact with contaminated kratom, instances of bad kratom making it to another consumer hurts you. Each case causes kratom to be viewed more negatively, and the risk of a complete ban increases.

How The Kratom Consumer Protection Act Can Help

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act is a set of guidelines that the American Kratom Association is working with each state to enact.

The act would cover the following tenets in some way:

• Age restriction: what will be the state’s legal age be for kratom products?
• Labeling: what type of information will be required or forbidden on kratom labeling?
• Warnings: what type of warnings and safety information must be given to consumers on the labeling?
• Registration: how will kratom testing compliance and product registration be handled?
• Quality: how will the quality be tested, and what will the quality requirements be?

The KCPA, Kratom Consumer Protection Act, will not be exactly the same in every state. Just as cannabis laws differ in each state, kratom laws may, too. AKA works with each state that they discuss kratom with to develop the laws so that kratom can be regulated in a safe, effective way that is satisfactory to the state.

Not all components listed above will make it through the state’s legislative system, but AKA does its part to make sure that the most important factors are addressed.

2020: The Goal of 21 States

For 2020, the American Kratom Association has set a goal to have some type of kratom protection laws passed in 21 more states. They have already been setting the groundwork in many states to get the KCPA into lawmaker’s hands so that the change can begin.

AKA is targeting these states in 2020:

• Oregon
• Idaho
• Colorado
• Kansas
• Oklahoma
• Missouri
• Louisiana
• Illinois
• Michigan
• Tennessee
• Mississippi
• Florida
• South Carolina
• North Carolina
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• New York
• Rhode Island
• Wisconsin
• Alabama
• Arkansas

Most of these states don’t yet have any laws about kratom in place, but four of them have actually already enacted a ban on kratom. The American Kratom Association, however, believes that the bans in these four states can be changed in 2020:

• Rhode Island
• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Wisconsin

The goal to have half of the states in the USA to have kratom consumer protections in place by the end of the year is a big one, but the American Kratom Association and its supporters have been advocating for the same, regulated use of kratom for a long time. This year, the culmination of those efforts should result in this kind of big change!

Accountability Matters Most

As mentioned above, shady vendors can sell anything that they want to their customers right now, and there is no way for the customer to find out about this. There is no quality control testing that is checked by any third-party unless the vendor themselves makes the effort to have their product tested.

Here at Left Coast Kratom, we wanted to show that we take our product safety and quality control seriously, so we joined the GMP Standards Program run by the American Kratom Association. In short, this program lays out specific guidelines and standards to ensure that we do our part in keeping the kratom industry safe.

We want our customers – including you – to know that we want to make sure that we are constantly evolving and keeping up with the best practices in the industry. As members of the GMP compliance program, we get the information about safety that we need quickly and are able to put it into action.

Do You Want To Help?

Are you interested in seeing a Kratom Consumer Protect Act go into effect in your state? Do you live in one of the states that the AKA is targeting this year?

If so, this is your chance to get involved with advocacy. It is possible that simply showing up to support change would be enough. And if you want to do more than just show up, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

The best way to get involved with local or state advocacy is to contact the American Kratom Association and ask how to get in contact with your area’s advocacy team. From there, you’ll start being a more active part of the change.

Kratom Status: Is Kratom Legal in My State?

January 15, 2020 by LCK

A note to our customers: This post is not legal advice. All information and content contained here are for general informational and entertainment purposes only. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it may not reflect the most up-to-date legal or other information. We suggest that you always do your own research to ensure the validity of information on our blog.

Here in the United States, kratom is sold as a tea product or a dietary ingredient that many people enjoy and find to be beneficial for their lifestyle. There are dozens of kratom vendors and a large community of consumers who feel their lives have changed for the better thanks to kratom.

Unfortunately, these things don’t necessarily mean that kratom is protected by laws and regulations across the country. Due to bad publicity, adulterated products from irresponsible vendors, and misinformation campaigns that have gained traction over the past few years, some counties and states have made moves to ban kratom.

As avid supporters of safe, lab tested products and responsible kratom consumption, we don’t want to see this happen. Many consumers worry about whether or not they are allowed to try kratom where they live, and the legal status of kratom is often changing in many areas.

Today, we’ll help you learn how to find out if kratom is legal where you live as well as other important legal information that consumers should be aware of. You’ll also learn what you can do to ensure that this botanical stays legal in the US.

Federal Laws

At this time, there are no federal laws or regulations in place about kratom and its use in the US. Kratom vendors sell kratom to their customers as a dietary ingredient and must make it clear that the FDA has not reviewed the product or any claims made about it.

Despite the fact that there are no laws currently in place on the federal level, the FDA and other organizations have put a lot of pressure on law-making bodies to ban kratom. The FDA’s arguments have been widely debunked; in reality, this conversation is dominated by misinformation and a lack of current research about kratom.

For now, kratom is safe from further legal restrictions on a national scale, but there are also no federal regulations in place to help protect consumers or vendors.

State Laws

Like many issues, kratom needs to be regulated on the local and state. Currently, marijuana and CBD regulations are handled on a state-by-state basis, and we expect that any kratom-related rules will initially be done in the same way.

The American Kratom Association is the leading advocacy group for kratom regulations and protections at this time. This nonprofit organization has done wonders to ensure the safety of kratom users across America, and their work continues to be impressive.

Your State’s Rules

Kratom is legal in most states across the continental United States. However, Kratom is currently banned in the following six states:

Alabama
Arkansas
Indiana
Rhode Island
Vermont
Wisconsin

In more positive news, several states have now adopted the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, legislation that both protects consumers from adulterated and misbranded products and protects kratom from being banned. This bill passed in 2019 in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Utah. The AKA is working hard with vendors across the country to introduce the KCPA in many more states, including here in Oregon where we’re located.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act mandates that kratom vendors comply with Good Manufacturing Practices including testing their products with an accredited lab. With reasonable regulations in place to keep consumers safe, legitimate and responsible kratom vendors will be able to continue to market their products, and consumers will have the peace of mind of knowing that their kratom is safe.

To find out what the status or ongoing bills about kratom in your state look like, you can check out AKA’s interactive map. This map gives detailed information about the state’s rules, and you can follow through on the page to read more details about the status.

What You Can Do

As you can see from the map on AKA’s website, kratom’s legal status is very different depending on where you live. While AKA would love to meet with the FDA to discuss the future of kratom in this country, the FDA has ignored their meeting request for more than 400 days.

It might seem overwhelming, but there are a number of things that you can do to improve the outlook for kratom in the United States. None of these things will put you at risk, and they are all quite easy!

Buy From Qualified Vendors

One of the most important things that you can do is to only buy your kratom from qualified vendors that care about safety. To find these vendors, we recommend looking into the Good Manufacturing Practices Compliance Program run by the AKA. In response to the lack of clear guidelines around kratom, these companies have decided to comply with Good Manufacturing Practices in order to keep their customers safe and satisfied.

The AKA’s GMP Program is that vendors can apply to join. The program outlines good practices that all kratom vendors should follow to ensure that the products they sell are as safe as possible for the consumer. To remain part of the program, they must have an annual 3r-party audit.

By buying from qualified vendors, you are supporting safe and high-quality kratom in the US.

Join Local Advocacy Groups

If you are living in a state that is considering a kratom ban, or the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, it would be worthwhile to get involved at the local level. Using the information available on the AKA website or from your local kratom shop, find out what you can do to prevent a ban from happening, or support reasonable regulations to keep yourself safe!

In many cases, this may be as simple as sending a letter to your local senator or making a short phone call. These actions are very small, but they can make a big difference in the long run!

Remember: Many People Use Kratom

Despite the complications in kratom’s legal status, it is important to remember that kratom is gaining mainstream acceptance and credibility. Many states have even passed regulations that help to ensure that consumers are able to purchase safe kratom without fear of legal action.

Many people use kratom. There isn’t a specific profile that can be used to describe who uses kratom or why. The simple fact is that there are many Americans that find that taking a serving of kratom helps them get through their day-to-day activities, and that is the important part.

AKA, the American Kratom Association, estimates that there are more than 15 million kratom consumers in the United States. That number is constantly growing, so there is no reason to feel like you are alone in your position.

LCK