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Kratom’s Malaysian History: What’s Worth Knowing

October 9, 2019 by LCK

One of the coolest parts of our job here at Left Coast Kratom is to get the opportunity to learn more about kratom, where it comes from, and where it’s going. We spend a lot of time talking about the future of kratom. Will it become fully legalized? Will it be easier to obtain? How will its usage change over time?

What we often gloss over, however, is the past. Where did kratom come from, how was it used, and what can this teach us about it today? Will the future of kratom look anything like the past?

One of the most interesting areas of the world to look at when taking time to understand Kratom’s past is Malaysia. Much of the world’s kratom supply comes from Malaysia, and this has been true for more than one hundred years. Why and how did this happen?

We’ve asked a lot of unanswered questions in this introduction, but don’t worry. We’re here to answer them today! By the end of this article, you’ll know more about kratom’s history than your average user. Let’s dive into a brief history of kratom in Malaysia. 

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Growth: Why Malaysia Grows Kratom Prolifically

One of the things that I found myself most curious about when learning about kratom was that it grows so well in tropical areas. What was it about these areas that made it flourish, and how did Malaysia manage to have some of the best growth of all? After all, the lands that make up Malaysia have seen fertile kratom tree growth for hundreds of years.

The climate in Malaysia happens to be perfect for kratom growth. The climate is very humid, and there is a long rainy season. This means that the soil is at least somewhat wet for most of the year, and that is what kratom loves. Plus, all the soil is incredibly fertile.

These conditions are perfect for the tropical tree that can grow up to fifty, sixty, or even seventy feet tall in the right conditions. Those large trees furnish a lot of leaves, and that is how Kratom exportation is so prolific in kratom.

Legality: Is Using and Selling Kratom Okay In Malaysia?

Now that we know why kratom trees grow well in Malaysia, let’s talk about its legal status. Can kratom be bought in Malaysia? Can it be used? What do the rules say? Before we can talk about the present, we need to talk about the past.

Before 1952

Up until 1952, kratom usage, production, and sale were largely unrestricted by the government in Malaysia. While there were occasional rules and bans, the substance could be processed and used as needed. 

People were using kratom, but not very regularly. Kratom was used most frequently in the northern areas that border Thailand. In these regions, people tend to work long, hard days. Using kratom provided relief and relaxation for them.

Additionally, kratom was used for ritual cultural practices. Kratom was thought to be a powerful plant-based healing tool. Brewed as a tea, it was used to restore strength to tired minds and bodies during ceremonial practices and in everyday life.

People also used kratom instead of opiates. Opiate use began booming in the 1800s, and opioid addiction skyrocketed as it became more accessible to the general public. Malaysians soon found that taking kratom tea or leaves would often prevent people from ingesting opiates.

Year: 1952

The Poisons Act of 1952 changed the way that kratom was legally viewed in Malaysia. This law forbids the use and domestic sale of kratom leaves and related substances. While there had been subtle bans in the past, this was the only complete and clear outlawing of the substance.

This law happened around the same time that many other countries in the region passed their own laws about kratom and similar substances.

Today

Today, it is illegal to take kratom in Malaysia. It is also illegal to process the leaves into other forms of the substance.

The exportation of kratom leaves, however, remains legal. As long as a farmer has the appropriate permit, they are permitted to harvest and export the leaves to other countries. This exportation has become a big money-maker in the Northern parts of Malaysia.

While it is illegal to use kratom in Malaysia, these laws are not heavily enforced. Clear information about how many people are using kratom and why they take it is hard to come by, but most seem to believe that kratom is most heavily used in rural areas where traditional rituals and ways of life are still very strong.

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Looking Forward

It’s difficult to be sure of what will happen in the future of kratom legality in Malaysia. Exportation, it seems, will remain legal for many years to come as the international popularity of the substance continues to grow. Domestic usage and sale legality, however, seems more unlikely for the immediate future.

The biggest problem with knowing what will happen with kratom in Malaysia in the future is the lack of research about its uses and effects. Until scientific research can prove the safety of kratom, anecdotal evidence and horror stories continue to plague the industry.

Are My “Malay” Strains From Malaysia?

Now that you know more about the history of kratom in Malaysia, you might be wondering if the last green Malay strain that you tried came from the forests in Malaysia. While it is quite possible that the leaves were imported from Malaysia, the name alone does not guarantee that.

The names of different strains of kratom are based on the variety, chemical makeup, and processing method more than they are based on where the kratom leaves originated from. While the strain names originally denoted origin, they are now used more as an identifying tactic than anything else.

Regardless of whether or not the leaves that you’ve used have come from Malaysia, the history of kratom in Malaysia has still had a huge effect on the product that you love and use today!

Filed Under: Resources Tagged With: 7-hydroxymitragynine, alkaloid, alkaloids, botanical, featured, history, international, kratom, legality, m. speciosa, malay, malaysia, mitragyna speciosa, mitragynine, strains, what is kratom

A Tiny Tour of Thailand

August 21, 2019 by LCK

When we’re looking through our catalog, it’s easy to think of Thailand as nothing more than the place where some of our most popular strains of Kratom originated. Of course, Thailand is much more than that, but not everyone has had the opportunity to learn more about this rich and varied country.

Today, come on a tiny tour of Thailand with Left Coast Kratom! While we can’t all fly there together, we can learn more about what the island is like and what are the most popular things to do when people visit. After all, Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. 

Whether you want to learn more about Thailand’s beaches or their culture, we’ll get you started on discovering those areas today.

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The Basics of Thailand

Thailand is the 50th largest country in the world. For comparison, it is just a little bit larger than Spain. The island itself spans a wide range of area, so there are differing climates and zones depending on where in the country you are. The northern regions are very different from the tropical regions of the south.

Thailand is home to more than 68 million people and counting! The country is still growing, and big cities are getting even bigger. Thailand is divided into 76 different regions. From tiny villages all the way up to huge cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, there are towns of every type and size. Depending on which of these places you visit, you will get a very different experience.

Currency in Thailand is known as the Thai Baht. One USD equals 33 Thai Baht; having a conversion calculator handle when traveling around will be very useful unless you are great at doing math in your head.

Thailand’s Climate & Geography

To understand what a place is really like, we first need to be able to imagine what it would like to be there ourselves! In Thailand’s case, the climate and geography play a big role in that.

Weather Throughout The Year

The specifics of the weather, of course, will differ depending on the exact region that you visit, but the following information about how the change in seasons affects the weather throughout the year should help you to narrow down when you would want to visit the country.

Most people visit Thailand between November and February. This is because the coolest and driest weather of the year (with an average temperature of 29ºC/85°F) happens at this time. In the north of Thailand during this time, the weather at night can get pretty chilly.

April to June is very hot in Thailand, especially if you are not used to the heat. By the end of May, monsoon season will begin and most days will see weather that is wet, wet, wet! The heaviest rains happen in June and August. October is a borderline month; it can be dry or it can be wet depending on the year.

Thailand’s Geographic Features

Thailand has high mountains in the north, and these mountains go down towards the south along the country’s border with Burma. The highest peak is Doi Inthanon, an 8,451-foot mountain. The lowest power is the Gulf of Thailand, which is located at sea level.

The central area of Thailand is a fertile plain that is fed by the 231-mile long Chao Phraya River. Most major cities, historically significant locations, and densely populated areas are located along this river. In a way, it brings life to Thailand. Eventually, the river drains into the area south of Bangkok.

Thailand also has a plateau region known as the Khorat Plateau. Here you can find low, rolling hills as well as shallow lakes. This region drains into the Mekong River system. The end of the land in the southern peninsula becomes overtaken by mangrove swamps. Off the coasts of Thailand, many islands can be found, such as the famous Phuket.

Popular Destinations in Thailand

So, where do people visit when they go to Thailand? Where do Thai people go when they vacation within their own country? There are a lot of wonderful places to see in Thailand, so listing them all would be impossible. We’ll just be mentioning some of the most popular and well-known tourist destinations.

Big City Life

Many tourists, Thai or otherwise, visit the big cities of Bangkok, and Chiang Mai! While the image of Thailand that comes to mind for most when thinking of Thailand is of a beach, much of the excitement and culture of Thailand exists in the cities!

Beaches & The Islands

What’s more wonderful than the opportunity to visit some tropical islands? Not much! In Thailand, you can do just that. From five-star coastal resorts to small, barely populated island beaches, there is a huge range of beach and island activity that you can join.

For the best experience, try to do a little of both. Visit a popular beach near Phuket, and then plan an excursion to a pristine beach in one of Thailand’s many nature reserve areas to see what that is like as well. You’ll probably love them both!

The Mountains & Mountain Towns

As mentioned, the northern regions of Thailand are very mountainous. Visiting the Thai Highlands is an interesting way to see a different side of Thailand. The way of life in mountain villages is quite different. You can hike, explore, and destress.

Other Popular Locations

These three main types of things to do are, of course, not the only things that you can do in Thailand! Here’s a quick run-through of some of the other most popular things to do when visiting this enticing nation:

  • • Phi Phi Islands
  • • Krabi
  • • Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
  • • Khao Yai National Park
  • • Khao Sok National Park
  • • Ko Chang District
  • • Thani
  • • Hat Yai

These are just a few of the many, many places that we could recommend. Searching through images of Thailand can help you imagine what other areas of this type of tour could include! Ultimately, your own trip to Thailand would be able to include anything that you wanted; you just need to choose!

Filed Under: Resources Tagged With: featured, international, kratom, mitragyna speciosa, southeast asia, thailand, tourism, tourist, travel, visit

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