Is Kratom Legal in California? [Law, Effects, & Products]
September 16, 2024
People who desire enhancements in their daily routine tend to turn to plants like cannabis, herbals, and other similar examples. Californians seeking alternatives have another option: kratom. Is kratom legal in California? Let’s have a look.
When considering this plant, you should be aware that it is linked to various benefits and effects, most popularly its opioid-like properties. However, kratom has diverse advantages while avoiding the harsher consequences of actual opioids.
Continue reading to find out more about what it is, it’s legal standing in California, its impact on the human body, and top-notch products to try.
Table of Contents
What is Kratom?
It is a wise move for those in California who are interested in sampling kratom to find out the answer to, “Is kratom legal in California?” To comprehend the legislation and public perceptions surrounding kratom, it is necessary to first grasp what it is and how it works.
If you choose cannabis as a natural treatment aid to traditional medications, you will be happy to know that kratom is another plant that has similar potential.
Kratom or Mitragyna speciosa is a tree under the coffee family. Given this, you probably caught on that kratom is a cousin of no other than coffee, one of the most popular and accessible products out there.
This tree is found throughout Southeast Asia, specifically Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Don’t get us wrong, though. It is grown in the United States, but for optimal growth and results, it is necessary to simulate tropical climates.
These native cultures in the region used it as traditional medicine, particularly for manual laborers and general folk treatments.
Kratom is now widely used in the United States. The practice of harnessing its benefits is not a modern innovation. It has been around for decades. Farmers in Southeast Asia used to brew or chew the leaves to help treat fatigue and body pain.
Interested in trying kratom, but you don’t know where to start? You can start with liquid extracts. If you are a daring experimenter, you might want to check out the Maeng Da strain, one of the strongest strains along with other red varieties.
Is Kratom Legal in California?
So, is kratom legal in California? The best answer is yes, it is legal in the vast majority of the state. However, if you plan to visit San Diego and Oceanside or you live there, you should watch out because the plant is illegal there.
In other words, California does not impose a kratom ban in 2021, but you should take note that you should be careful about accidentally bringing the plant within the city limits of San Diego and Oceanside.
Outside these two cities, you can freely sell, purchase, and possess kratom and kratom products. In San Francisco, for example, you can get your hands on some of the best goods through bumble Bee Botanicals and Twistle Thistle Apothecary.
If you are wondering about the current legal standing of this plant on the federal level, you can refer to the Food and Drug Administration, which discourages residents from using it. The plant has also placed the plant on an import alert in 2012 and 2014.
According to the Administration, it is concerned about the adverse effects of kratom, and it urges doctors to report any harmful impacts and reactions.
Nevertheless, only six states have effectively banned the plant. These states are Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Four namely Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Utah have patient protection measures in place.
The rest of the states do not have legislation and regulations surrounding the plant. This includes California. Keep in mind that some areas in these states can have different rules regarding kratom.
What are the Benefits & Side Effects of Kratom?
Is kratom legal in California in 2021? Yes. Your next question now would be about the effects of this plant, particularly the advantages and disadvantages it has to offer.
Those who have consumed kratom are undoubtedly well aware of its effects on the human body. First-timers, however, are sure to be intrigued about the connection between kratom and the body, particularly its systems.
This plant has opioid-like properties, which means that you can benefit from what opioids can, but at a different level. You see, opioids and kratom alkaloids interact with the same receptors, namely: the mu, kappa, and delta. This is how kratom chemicals enter the body.
For the uninitiated, take note that alkaloids are chemical substances present in kratom. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG) are the main alkaloids in kratom, which gives it the effects it is known for.
Now, once these alkaloids enter the cells through these receptors, that is when you can expect to experience the impact of kratom. It is known to help ease body pain, fight fatigue, relieve inflammation, and improve focus.
It is also associated with mood-enhancing, stress-relieving, and sleep-inducing effects. How does it provide such advantages? The answer lies in the receptors’ placement throughout the body.
Mu, kappa, and delta receptors are present in various parts of the nervous system, specifically the central, peripheral, supraspinal, and spinal regions. Take note that these areas deal with pain, mood, brain function, and inflammation.
Opioids target the same areas, however, they are much more harmful because they are extremely addictive.
Kratom provides these same effects by interacting with the same receptors that opioids also interact with. The difference is, it is much less addictive.
Remember that addiction can be a psychological or a physical disorder. Excessive use of kratom can lead to dependency, which can lead to abuse. There are cases in which having the personality for it can lead to dependency and abuse.
Moreover, extended and excessive use can lead to withdrawals. When this happens, users tend to experience mood swings, restlessness, nervousness, low appetite, fever, and muscle spasms.
What gives kratom a mile-long distance from opioids is that it has the potential to treat patients with opioid addiction. In fact, mitragynine has been found to slow down the build-up of tolerance to opioids.
Nevertheless, the smartest way to start with kratom is to ask your doctor for advice. This is imperative, especially if you have a medical condition or are taking pharmaceuticals.
Where to Buy Best Kratom Products in California?
Residents are free to experiment with different items or strains to see for themselves how beneficial they are. If you are looking to buy kratom in California, Kratom Krush is a great source. Here are some of its best products.
White Kerapang Kratom Capsules are from Borneo, one of the most abundant sources of different varieties of kratom. Its optimal growing environment makes it a unique option because it is known to contain higher amounts of alkaloids.
So, while white vein plants are considered milder, the white Ketapang kratom takes it up a notch for a more balanced experience.
You can grab this in 60s, 180s, and 360s. They come in opaque, dark bottles that make them easier to store.
Yellow Borneo Kratom Capsules are a great choice for beginners. Despite the name, it is actually made from white vein leaves. However, just like the white Ketapang strain, it comes from Borneo and is known to have higher alkaloid counts than usual.
What makes it different from others made from white vein leaves is that it is dried using a different process instead of traditional methods. This is also what gives it its yellow color.
This unique drying technique also helps seal a lot of alkaloids from the leaves. This product has mitragynine, 9- and 7-hydroxymitragynine, and mitraphylline.
It is available in different-sized bottles containing 36, 108, or 216 grams of kratom per bottle.
Unlike the first two, this one comes from Indonesia, particularly the island of Sumatra. This place is another perfect spot for kratom trees. Leaves from this source are considered to have high alkaloid content, giving them a stronger impact.
It comes in powder form, which makes for a unique experience. You can brew this product into tea or infuse them into your beverage of choice. The fastest way to intake it is to place a certain amount in your mouth and wash it down with water.
This product is available in different sizes including 50, 100, 250, 500, and 100 grams.
This is the right choice for you if you are seeking a more powerful option. It was named after the jongkong, an Indonesian wooden dugout riverboat, because many of the trees in the area can only be reached by boat.
Red vein leaves come from mature plants, so you can harness their full potential. These varieties have the highest mitragynine and 7-HMG content. This product is advisable for adventurous and experienced consumers.
You can get it in different sizes that contain 1.5, 4, and 8.8 ounces of kratom powder. Larger packs are also available, such as those with 1 pound and 3 ounces, as well as 2 pounds and 10 ounces of powder.
Conclusion
The numerous benefits of kratom make it an attractive product for Californians. If you live in places where it is allowed, make sure to check out Kratom Krush and explore its high-quality products.