Kratom
Legal Status
U.S. FEDERAL LAW #
Caution : All legal information should be verified through other sources. [see below]
U.S. FEDERAL LEGAL SUMMARY | |
Mitragyna speciosa | |
REGULATED | No |
STATUS | Not Approved For Human Consumption |
SCHEDULE | Un-Scheduled |
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is uncontrolled in the United States. This means all parts of the plant and its extracts are legal to cultivate, buy, possess, and distribute (sell, trade or give) without a license or prescription. If sold as a supplement, sales must conform to U.S. supplement laws. If sold for consumption as a food or drug, sales are regulated by the FDA.
INTERNATIONAL LAW #
Austria #
We received a report in 2006 telling us kratom is legal in Austria. (unconfirmed) (thanks I)
Australia #
Both Mitragynine, one of the active chemicals in Kratom, and M. speciosa the plant were placed in Schedule 9 of the Australian SUSDP. See Mitragyning Scheduling and M. speciosa Scheduling.
Denmark #
Kratom is controlled in Denmark as of March 13, 2009. See https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=123762. Previously, it was is sold in some retail shops (headshops). (thanks N,NL) (last updated April 2009)
Finland #
We received a report that kratom is now a controlled medicine in Finland and requires a prescription. (last updated Aug 2008) (unconfirmed) (thanks R)
Germany #
Kratom is not listed in the BtMG and appears to be legal. In Oct 2008 we received a report that it kratom can be easily ordered from online shops based in Germany, as dried leaves, cut leaves, or enhanced extracts. (thanks D)
Hungary #
Kratom does not apper to be controlled as of May 2009 and kratom leaves and extracts can be purchased at headshops sold as incense. (thanks M) (last updated May 28, 2009)
Ireland #
Kratom is not controlled in Ireland and is not listed in Irish Statue or in the Misuse of Drugs Ac. As of Feb 2007, it is sold in some retail shops. (thanks S and SH)
Italy #
We received a report in 2006 telling us kratom is legal in Italy. (unconfirmed) (thanks I)
Malaysia #
Kratom was made illegal without government license in Malaysia in August 2006. (unconfirmed) (thanks VS) (last updated Jun 2007)
Myanmar #
Kratom is illegal in Myanmar.
Netherlands #
As of Sep 2006, Kratom leaves are legally available in smartshops. (thanks C)
New Zealand #
As of March, 2008, Kratom is unscheduled in New Zealand and available through some shops. Kratom is marketed as a psychoactive, not as a 'horticultural sample', as Salvia divinorum is. Kratom extract is also sold in gelcaps. (thanks Vertigo)
South Korea #
A visitor reports that Kratom is illegal in South Korea and, when they ordered Kratom from a foreign supplier, customs officials showed up and they were forced to attend 16 weekends of drug rehab to avoid jail time. (unconfirmed) (thanks K) (last updated Sep 19 2009)
Thailand #
Kratom is classified as Narcotic Level 5 in Thailand. This means it is illegal to buy, sell, import, or possess. Exceptions are made with permission from Minister of Public Health in accordance with approval from Office of the Narcotics Control Board.
United Kingdom #
Kratom leaf, powder, and extract are sold at headshops in the UK, and the plant is not listed in the Controlled Substances Act. (last updated Aug 2008)
If you have information about the legal status of this substance in any other country, please let us know.
CAUTION & DISCLAIMER #
Erowid legal information is a summary of data gathered from site visitors, government documents, websites, and other resources. We are not lawyers and can not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided here. We do our best to keep this information correct and up-to-date, but laws are complex and constantly changing. Laws may also vary from one jurisdiction to another (county, state, country, etc)...this list is not comprehensive.