How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy Kratom?

While some states have no restrictions, others may require you to be of a certain age. A few don’t allow kratom sales and consumption at all.

Read on to learn more about what the law says in your state so you know what to expect.

Is kratom legal across the USA?

Kratom is a Southeast Asian tropical tree known as Mitragyna speciosa. Its leaves contain various compounds that deliver a spectrum of effects, ranging from energy to relaxation. 

This herb is currently legal on a federal level and is commonly sold in the United States as a dietary supplement. The rules guiding its use, possession, and sale vary. It’s crucial to explore kratom legality by state to ensure you don’t violate any local laws. 

In some regions, kratom is legal for purchase and consumption. In others, you may be allowed to possess it but not buy it. 

Kratom isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the organization has already tried to make it a controlled substance. The agency doesn’t want to make the plant legal, as it asserts kratom is a product with no medical prescriptions or health advantages.

The FDA almost influenced the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to ban kratom use in 2016. Efforts to classify it as a controlled substance were neutralized, as many users claim the plant is beneficial in more ways than one.

The KCPA and its meaning for kratom legality in the USA

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) is an important piece of legislation for the plant’s legality in the USA. 

It allows states to modify certain parts of its construct to their unique measure. Each region can create rules that are specifically suited to the demands of kratom in that jurisdiction.

This bill is designed to protect consumers from potentially dangerous or contaminated kratom. It sets out regulations for the manufacture, labeling, and sale of products. It also includes a minimum age limit for kratom purchases.

Under the KCPA, all products must be tested for safety and purity, and labels should contain accurate information about the contents. It aims to restrict the sale of any kratom with more than 2% of 7-hydroxymitragynine.

The regulations involve uncovering the number of chemical compounds in each product. This requirement ensures consumers are aware of the potential side effects of kratom and can make more informed decisions. 

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act is an important step in ensuring the safety of users. It also serves as a measure of the plant’s legality in the USA.

What is the legal age to buy kratom in the USA?

Enthusiasts need to know that the lawful age for kratom pills, powders, and other products differs between each state.

The legal age to buy kratom in the USA isn’t agreed on. While some states set the barricade to be 18 years, others might demand you to be 21 years or older. A few don’t have any restrictions at all. You must also produce valid identification.

Consuming the herb in higher quantities may cause minor reactions, so it’s important to use it responsibly. Common side effects of kratom include nausea, vomiting, constipation, and drowsiness. 

Consider consulting a doctor before taking kratom and follow all instructions on the product label. It’s also vital to buy kratom powder from reputable retailers.

Discover kratom’s legal status and purchasing age limits in all 50 states below.

Alabama

• Legal status: It’s a controlled substance in this state and illegal to consume, buy or possess at any age.

Alaska

• Legal status: It’s legal to purchase kratom, but it’s not regulated.
• Purchasing age limits: No age restraint.

Arizona

• Legal status: This state passed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act in 2019.
• Purchasing age limits: Individuals who are 18 years of age or above.

Arkansas

• Legal status: A controlled substance and illegal to possess, buy, or consume at any age.

California

• Legal status: It’s legal but restricted in the city of San Diego and Oceanside County.
• Purchasing age limits: No age limit.

Colorado

• Legal status: The herb is legal but not regulated in all regions, except for Monument and Parker. It’s tagged as not ideal for human use in Denver.
• Purchasing age limits: 21 and older.

Connecticut

• Legal status: There are no laws guiding the sale of kratom, making it legal and accessible.
• Purchasing age limits: No age requirement.

Delaware

• Legal status: It’s legal but not regulated.
• Purchasing age limits: No age regulation.

Florida

• Legal status: It’s legal but unregulated in all parts, except for Sarasota County, which has a total ban.
• Purchasing age limits: 21 years and above.

Georgia

• Legal status: This state passed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act in 2019, making it a legal substance.
• Purchasing age limits: 18 years or older.

Hawaii

• Legal status: A bill was passed to restrict kratom use in 2020, but it failed, making it legal and unregulated.
• Purchasing age limits: No age constraint.

Idaho

• Legal status: Legal but unregulated. 
• Purchasing age limits: No age restraint.

Illinois

• Legal status: It’s legal and under control everywhere else in the state apart from Jerseyville, Alton, and Edwardsville.
• Purchasing age limits: 18 years and above.

Indiana

• Legal status: Kratom is classified as a synthetic drug. Illegal to buy, consume, and possess at any age.

Iowa

• Legal status: Legal but unregulated in this state.
• Purchasing age limits: No particular age limit.

Kansas

• Legal status: It’s legal but not regulated. A motion to ban kratom was initiated, but it failed. Kansas City is considering the KCPA.
• Purchasing age limits: No age limit.

Kentucky

• Legal status: Kratom is legal but unregulated after passing two bills in the state.
• Purchasing age limits: No particular age restriction.

Louisiana

• Legal status: Efforts to ban kratom here proved futile, allowing enthusiasts to buy and consume the plant. It’s legal in the state but not regulated.
• Purchasing age limits: No specific age limit.

Maine

• Legal status: Legal with no regulation. Bill was initially passed to ban the product, but was unsuccessful.
• Purchasing age limits: No specific age condition.

Maryland

• Legal status: Legal but not regulated and can be found in tobacco stores and smoke shops.
• Purchasing age limits: No age regulation.

Massachusetts

• Legal status: The product is legal in this state with no restrictions placed on it.
• Purchasing age limits: No age barrier.

Michigan

• Legal status: Currently legal but not regulated.
• Purchasing age limits: No age limit.

Minnesota

• Legal status: It’s legal here, but with some rules.
• Purchasing age limits: 18 years and above.

Mississippi

• Legal status: You can buy and consume kratom everywhere in this state except for the following counties: Alcorn, Calhoun, Itawamba, Lowndes, Monroe, Noxubee, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union County, and the city of Columbus. 
• Purchasing age limits: No age limit.

Missouri

• Legal status: Legal with no regulations. Missouri recently passed two bills to ban it but was unsuccessful.
• Purchasing age limits: No specific age restriction.

Montana

• Legal status: It’s legal but not regulated.
• Purchasing age limits: No age restraint.

Nebraska

• Legal status: Legal but no regulations for it.
• Purchasing age limits: No age limitation.

Nevada

• Legal status: The state passed the KCPA in 2019.
• Purchasing age limits: 18 years and above.

New Hampshire

• Legal status: Legal with a few regulations everywhere in the state apart from Franklin city.
• Purchasing age limits: 18 years and above.

New Jersey

• Legal status: It’s currently legal in this state but not regulated.
• Purchasing age limits: No standard age limit.

New Mexico

• Legal status: Kratom is legal throughout the state with zero regulations.
• Purchasing age limits: No age barrier.

New York

• Legal status: It’s legal but with a few regulations.
• Purchasing age limits: 18 years and above.

North Carolina

• Legal status: Kratom is legal in the entirety of the state, but it’s not regulated.
• Purchasing age limits: 18 years and above.

North Dakota

• Legal status: It’s legal with zero regulations.
• Purchasing age limits: No particular age limit.

Ohio

• Legal status: Kratom is legal with no regulations, but be wary of infringing on the state’s ordinances.
• Purchasing age limits: 21 years and above.

Oklahoma

• Legal status: You can buy and consume kratom anywhere in this state, but bear in mind that it’s not regulated.
• Purchasing age limits: 18 years and above.

Oregon

• Legal status: It’s legal but not regulated.
• Purchasing age limits: No age constraint.

Pennsylvania

• Legal status: The Keystone State doesn’t place any restrictions on kratom, making it legal but not regulated.
• Purchasing age limits: No specific age restriction.

Rhode Island

• Legal status: Kratom is a controlled substance in this state and illegal to consume, buy, or possess at any age.

South Carolina

• Legal status: Legal with no restrictions.
• Purchasing age limits: None.

South Dakota

• Legal status: Kratom is legal but not regulated.
• Purchasing age limits: No particular age limit.

Tennessee

• Legal status: It’s legal to use kratom in the Volunteer State, barring a few regulations.
• Purchasing age limits: You have to be 21 to buy kratom in this state.

Texas

• Legal status: Kratom consumption is legal in the Lone Star State.
• Purchasing age limits: No age restriction.

Utah

• Legal status: This state passed the KCPA in 2019.
• Purchasing age limits: 18 years and above.

Vermont

• Legal status: It’s a controlled substance and illegal to consume, possess, and purchase at any age.

Virginia

• Legal status: It’s legal with no regulations.
• Purchasing age limits: No particular age.

Washington

• Legal status: Kratom is legal but not regulated.
• Purchasing age limits: No age barrier.

West Virginia

• Legal status: Everybody in the Mountain State can buy and consume kratom.
• Purchasing age limits: No age restriction.

Wisconsin

• Legal status: Kratom is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance and illegal to acquire at any age.

Wyoming

• Legal status: You can legally buy and consume kratom.
• Purchasing age limits: No age limit.

Final notes

How old do you need to be to buy kratom? The state’s laws in which you reside will determine the response to this question. Each region in the United States has its own age regulations to ensure minor safety.

Verify the laws in your state to know the legal status and age limitations before attempting to buy or consume kratom, as you could be subject to various consequences. 

After checking the necessary information, make sure you only purchase kratom products from a reliable retailer like Kratom Country. We source top-grade leaves from local SE Asian farmers and employ a strict five-step testing process.