legality

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.

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.

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.

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!

5 Awesome Kratom Facts That Everyone Should Know

September 25, 2019 by LCK

After you’ve discovered the positive results of kratom in your life, it’s time to uncover some more facts about what it is, how it’s used, and other important things that you should know about this botanical!

Kratom is more than just a plant that can be ingested, and it has a much longer history that you should be aware of when you decide to use it regularly. Today, we’ll help you expand your knowledge about this great substance.

1: The Kratom Tree Is Unique

One of the coolest things about where kratom comes from is the tree itself. Kratom is a tropical tree, and it grows best when things are all wet, all the time. Kratom products are made from the leaves of the trees, and they are unique because of their distinct chemical composition.

The Kratom tree is one of seven different trees in the Mitragyna speciosa variety. The leaves of the kratom tree contain two major chemical compounds that have effects on the body: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.

These chemicals are known as alkaloids. Alkaloids interact with the body in specific ways; when you consume kratom, those effects start happening!

2: Kratom Has A Long And Varied History

Did you know that Kratom has been used for hundreds of years in different parts of the world? In Southeast Asia in particular, kratom has been part of many cultural rituals and traditional practices. The tropical tree is native to Thailand and Malaysia among other countries, and that is how it became a part of their practices.

In particular, Kratom is often brewed as a tea. Sometimes, it is chewed on directly for a different type of effect.

While the use of Kratom in these regions is mostly historical, kratom is still used in those traditional ways. Around the world, however, kratom leaves tend to be ground into a fine powder and then brewed into a more concentrated, effective tea. As you might already know, there are a lot of different ways to brew tea.

3: Kratom Consumption Has Changed

While the ways that we just mentioned are the traditional ways of consuming kratom, there are a lot of different ways that people consume kratom in today’s modern world. As we mentioned, people typically grind the leaves up into a fine powder. This powder can then be prepared in a few different ways.

Method #1: Tea

While a bit different from traditional brewing, this fine powder can be made into a tea. The tea must be strained appropriately and flavored to make it drinkable, but it can provide the boosting effects of the chemicals in kratom.

Method #2: Capsules

Some people prefer to skip the need to taste the kratom at all and stick to capsules. Capsules of any size can be filled with your specific serving of kratom powder. These are easy and discreet to take, no matter where you are.

Method #3: Tinctures

The powder can also be made into a very strong tincture. This tincture can then be used mixed into other beverages or taken directly.

The particular method that you use to take kratom is going to depend on how much you want to take, what you are hoping to accomplish, and how your body processes things. Everybody’s body is different, so taking the time to try different amounts and intake methods is very important for personal discovery.

4: Kratom Has An Interesting Legal Status

Right now in the United States, Kratom is not illegal. However, it wouldn’t be accurate to call it legal either. It’s true that you wouldn’t get into trouble for using it, but the status of it is somewhat complicated.

Due to difficult reports and manufacturing problems, some believe that Kratom should be completely banned in the USA. The FDA, in fact, has been making a clear and concentrated effort to support this movement. Thankfully, many states are making their own judgments and passing regulatory protections for kratom consumers.

Why has this happened?

The main reason that kratom has not yet been put into a positive light as CBD has been that there isn’t enough research yet about the benefits of kratom. The research is so limited that it is difficult to prove once and for all that kratom is not dangerous. Without any regulation to keep bad kratom off the market, the problem isn’t improving quickly enough.

Hopefully, individual states will continue to support the movement to fully legalize kratom and to protect its consumers with basic regulations. These regulations, though simple, can save people’s lives by keeping bad kratom under control as soon as possible.

5: Kratom Needs Your Help

Due to the complicated legal status of kratom in America, kratom needs your help! If you have ever been curious about trying kratom or already use it, it is time to step into the ring and help fight for the safety of kratom users everywhere.

While we do our best to ensure that every product that we put it out is the highest quality, not all vendors hold themselves to the same standards that we do. We’ve learned through the years, and we are doing our best to ensure that only the highest quality kratom makes it to the market.

To further our mission to keep kratom safe and legal, we’ve put our full support behind the American Kratom Association. Also known as AKA, this group works tirelessly to create guidelines for companies to follow while also working directly with politicians in each state to pass laws protecting the kratom community.

With swift and positive actions like these, we believe that kratom will one day be a safe and accepted substance. But that won’t happen without the support of people like you!

If you believe that more research should be done about kratom so that it can become a safer product, reach out to your local kratom stores or politicians and find out how you can make this opinion help. Together, we can secure the future of kratom!

Kratom’s History in Thailand: What All Kratom Lovers Should Know

July 17, 2019 by LCK

Finding factual information about Kratom online can be a difficult and overwhelming experience. You want to learn more, but you just don’t know what is true and what is not!

Unfortunately, the constantly changing laws surrounding Kratom in both exporting and importing countries can make it hard to keep up with exactly what is going on. In Thailand, for example, the laws have changed several times in just the last few years.

Still, learning the history of Kratom in Thailand can help you begin to picture more about Kratom’s path through history, how it is today, and where it might go in the future.

How Kratom Grows So Well In Thailand

Kratom is native to Thailand, and that is because the growing conditions that are present in Thailand are just right for this tree! The conditions are nearly perfect as they are hot, moist, and there is a lot of rich soil in the region. All of these factors help Kratom to grow more easily.

If you didn’t know, Kratom is a tree! It’s a deciduous and tropical tree that has grown wild in Thailand for hundreds, if not thousands, of year. Kratom has been used in many forms for a long time in Thailand, but it has only been grown as an export crop since the early 1900s.

The best conditions for growing Kratom include:

• Hot weather
• Very wet soil
• Very high humidity
• Fertile soil

Thailand fits the bill for all of these things, and that is why the plant has grown wild there for so long.

A History of Kratom Growing & Using In Thailand

It is a common misconception that Kratom is used legally, widely, and publicly in Thailand. While it’s true that there is Kratom use and, historically, Kratom has been used in a number of specific ways, the truth of its legal status in Thailand is a bit more complicated.

Pre-1943

Kratom was more widely used in Thailand prior to 1943, especially throughout the 1800s and early 1900s. People in Thailand used Kratom for various purposes including during shifts on the job and when they were winding down after the workday.

While people were not abusing Kratom and it was largely used for positive means, changes would soon occur to the legality of Kratom in Thailand.

1943 & On

The Thai government created and passed Kratom Act 2486 in 1943. Under this law, Kratom trees were no longer allowed to be planted. This meant that while Kratom was still growing in the wild, anyone who planted a Kratom tree intentionally would be prosecuted.

By 1979, Kratom was classified as a Category 5 narcotic. While this is the lowest level of ranking in Thailand, it still made the list. Because it is a Cat 5 narcotic, Kratom possession and usage could land you with an arrest, but the police didn’t typically pursue these charges. For that reason, there weren’t a lot of people being arrested because of Kratom use in Thailand.

Is Kratom Currently Legal In Thailand?

The short answer is no; Kratom is not fully legal in Thailand at this time. But there are some specific cases where Kratom can be grown and used – similar to the way that specific laws allow Kratom use in the US.

That doesn’t mean that there haven’t been some attempts to change the rules about Kratom, however. Just as people in America are fighting for positive Kratom legislation, there are those in Thailand who are pushing for very similar things.

After failed attempts in 2004, 2009 and 2013, Kratom was made somewhat legal in 2018. The law passed in that year set up rules for the following:

• Kratom import
• Kratom export
• Kratom production
• Kratom use
• Possession of medicinal Kratom

For all intents and purposes, Kratom is only legal in Thailand when it is being used for medicinal purposes.

The Origin of Thai Strain Kratom

Most of the Thai strains of Kratom that you see online are not actually grown in Thailand due to the constantly changing laws and precarious legal situation in Thailand. While some Thai Kratom is now being exported as a medicinal product, there isn’t a huge scale of this happening yet.

So, where do Thai strains actually come from?

Strain names are more about the qualities of a strain than where it is from. While the names originally lined up with regions of specific Kratom types, the names have become more linked to how it the strain’s lineage than where it is grown.

At this time, most Thai strains of Kratom come from neighboring countries with very similar growing conditions.

Strain names are nothing more than names. While it would be nice if every name perfectly identified where a strain comes from, that is simply not the case in the industry today due to legal issues about Kratom around the world.

Where Kratom Comes From

At this point, there’s a good chance that you’re wondering where your Kratom comes from. Simply put, most Kratom is currently exported from tropical islands including Borneo and Sumatra.

The places that most Kratom vendors import from are, unsurprisingly, those that can legally export Kratom without having to jump through too many hoops! The laws are constantly changing around the world, however, so you can expect exporting countries to change over time, too.

Kratom in Thailand: A Unique History

Kratom is only legal to use for medicinal regions in Thailand, and that has surely come as a shock to some of our customers! Many imagine that every single person in Thailand enjoys Kratom, and that is simply not the case. Just as everyone here doesn’t use CBD despite its relative legality, the same goes for Thai people and Kratom.

Thai strains are still being grown around the world so that you can experience the quality of what is typically found in this region. As opinions about Kratom change, it is likely that Thailand may further de-criminalize and regulate the export of Kratom for sale around the world!