Kratom, botanically known as Mitragyna speciose, is a tropical, deciduous, evergreen tree classified under the coffee family. In the Southern and Eastern Asian countries, it has been used as herbal medicine since the 19th century. But is it legal in the United States?
In general, kratom is legal in the US. However, it is not yet regulated on a federal level. This means that kratom products are not checked by any government body and have no quality or safety guarantees. If you choose to use it for either medical or recreational purposes, you can do it at your own risk.
The given infographic presents the kratom legality map. As you can see, four states have passed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act that helps to regulate the industry and keep users safe. However, due to its high abuse potential, AddictionResource authors don’t encourage anyone to buy it. The herb has a long list of potential side effects. It includes loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, constipation, sweating, etc. Mitragyna speciosa’s leaves contain compounds that provide psychotropic effects. That’s why hallucinations and delusions are also possible. Using it longer than 2 or 3 weeks puts you at a serious risk of developing addiction.
Infographic by: addictionresource