The laws surrounding Kratom in the United States are complex. Most botanicals over here are up for a heated debate. If you’re an avid Kratom user, it’s important to stay updated with your local government to make sure that you’re using Kratom legally and responsibly. It’s also critical for understanding what you can do to help keep Kratom legal.
Kratom remains legal throughout most of the country, but there are some states that have passed laws that restrict access to buying, selling, and using Kratom. Why? Well, unfortunately in some places, Kratom has a controversial reputation.
In its native country of Southeast Asia, Kratom is known as a medicinal botanical and it is commonly used by the locals as an herbal remedy. But in America, most people consider Kratom to be a complete mystery. There aren’t many scientific studies to prove it’s medicinal value and benefits, so it's generally misunderstood. As well, it’s not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who have an aggressive stance on Kratom, so even more misconceptions are spread.
In this article, we are going to continue discussing Kratom’s legality focusing primarily on the state of Texas. We will cover Kratom’s history and legislation in Texas.
What is Kratom and What Does it Do?
Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa) is a plant that grows natively in the rainforests of Southeast Asia. It is indigenous to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. Due to the amazing benefits it provides, Kratom has been used by natives as herbal medicine since the nineteenth century.
The leaves of the Kratom tree contain over 37 unique alkaloids. The two main alkaloids are called Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine. These alkaloids are super important because they are responsible for the effects that make Kratom so special.
What are the benefits that Kratom can offer?
- Energy and Motivation
- Focus and Concentration
- Relief from Physical Discomfort
- Relaxation
- Happy, Positive Mindset
- Restful Sleep
Each Kratom strain has its own distinct alkaloid profile. The strain you choose will result in specific benefits. Strains are determined by the color of the veins on the Kratom leaf. For example, Red Vein Kratom strains are known to provide relaxing effects, while White Vein Kratom strains are more energizing.
There are four main Kratom vein colors:
Kratom strains are also categorized by the region of which they originated.
To learn more about Kratom, we recommend reading our Beginner's Guide to Kratom.
Kratom Legislation in Texas
Kratom is currently legal in Texas. In fact, there had been no legal efforts to restrict Kratom in Texas until recently in early 2021. Legislators attempted to implement two bills subject to the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
The first bill was proposed by Sen. Judith Zaffirini in February of 2021, and it sought to regulate the sale and manufacture of Kratom products, and also addresses some health concerns. The second bill proposed by Rep. J.M Lozano in April of 2021 was a bipartisan bill that sought to establish labeling standards, manufacturing practices, and criminal offenses for anyone manufacturing or selling Kratom in Texas. Both bills failed to be enacted into law and Kratom remains unregulated in the state of Texas.
What is the Kratom Consumer Protection Act?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was created by the federal government to regulate the food industry in order to help to maintain public safety and well-being. The FDA is supposed to make sure that Good Manufacturing Practices are being followed by all establishments. Believe it or not, Kratom actually is considered a food-grade product. However, the FDA does not perform these duties for the Kratom industry because they reject the use of the plant altogether.
That doesn’t seem fair, right? No, it’s not! It actually creates a HUGE problem and puts Kratom users at serious risk because it allows the Kratom industry to operate without any government oversight. Shady vendors will sell dirty, adulterated Kratom products for super cheap to make immense profit with no regard of the customers safety. This is why it’s so important to only buy Kratom from reputable companies.
The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) is exactly what it sounds like. A legislation to protect Kratom consumers. The concept behind the bill is to force legal constrains on the Kratom industry and provide certain requirements for Kratom products. As I’m writing this blog in April of 2022, five states have successfully passed the KCPA. Those states are Utah, Georgia, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Oregon.
What Are The Benefits of Regulating Kratom?
Regulating Kratom would be a huge step in favor of consumer safety. It would establish vital manufacturing and safety standards for all Kratom products.
Some other benefits of regulating Kratom are:
- Ensure proper product labeling
- Ensure that vendors do NOT adulterate the products with any harmful or addictive substances
- Keep vendors from altering Kratom’s potency
- Ensure that no one creates a synthetic version of Kratom and it’s alkaloids
- Ensure Kratom products contain safe alkaloid levels
- Ensure Kratom products are only sold to adults over 18 years of age
- Establish penalties for violating any laws pertaining to Kratom
How Can I Help Keep Kratom Legal?
If you want to do your part to support the fight for Kratom legality, there are a few things you can do! Regardless of the actions you choose to take, please remember to be safe and responsible.
Here are some ways to get started:
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Subscribe to the American Kratom Association’s email list to stay updated with Kratom news.
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Check out the AKA’s state-by-state guide to Kratom legality.
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Get involved with the Kratom community through social media.
- Buy Kratom from Happy Hippo, or other vendors certified by the AKA who uphold the best practices! We donate to the AKA frequently - purchases with us help us to donate even more.
Where to Buy Kratom in Texas
Kratom is legal in Texas and can be purchased in several gas stations or smoke shops across the state. However, as we discussed, you really need to be mindful who you choose to purchase your Kratom products from. It’s good to do your research beforehand.
The best place to get Kratom is from a vendor certified by the AKA - like your friends at Happy Hippo! All of our Kratom powder is lab-tested, sterilized, and packaged in a GMP-certified facility. You can always count on safe, consistent, and high-quality products.
If you have questions or need advice about using Kratom, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
Happy Hippo = Best. Kratom. Ever.
- Harvested from fully mature Kratom trees
- Tested for heavy metals, salmonella, and e.coli
- No additives or inferior botanical fillers
- Packaged in a certified GMP-compliant facility
National, state, municipal, county and local Laws and regulations can change. The information below was originally published in 2022 and may not be fully accurate or up-to-date.
It is important to verify the information below with other current sources. Most states have policy information on their respective .gov websites. Additionally, the American Kratom Association's Kratom Map generally maintains current state policy information. Happy Hippo assumes no legal liability for the information below. Thank you!
Disclaimer: Kratom remains unregulated by the FDA, the authors of this text would like you to note that although this article contains many points regarding the use of Kratom, they should only serve as a piece of information - not medical advice.
Kratom is not intended to cure, diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or condition.
Make sure to speak to a physician if you have questions before using Kratom.
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