Nicknamed “Garden State,” New Jersey boasts 11 state forests and 39 state parks and is home to the world’s longest boardwalk in Atlantic City. So it’s no surprise that it has a booming tourism industry. So, if you travel there, you’ll be pleased to know that kratom is legal in New Jersey. But that’s not to say kratom hasn’t had its share of controversy here. In this article, you’ll learn:

• Is kratom legal in New Jersey?
• Is kratom legal on the federal level?
• Where can I buy kratom in New Jersey?
• Kratom advocacy in New Jersey

Is kratom legal in New Jersey?

Since 2015, a New Jersey assemblyman named Ron Dancer has introduced three identical bills attempting to criminalize kratom. Each time, the bills died in committee (2015, 2018, 2020). Dancer’s multiple legislative bills attempted to classify kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance. Fortunately, none of these bills passed. Kratom remains legal with no legal classification (or protection).

Is kratom legal on the federal level?

There are currently no federal regulations on the production, sale, purchase, or use of kratom in the United States. Until the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes kratom as a legitimate herbal supplement, it will always be subject to individual state legislators’ whim to ban or legalize it.

In 2017, a letter from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) suggested that kratom should be included as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The letter also included recommendations from the FDA and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) that kratom should be listed under Schedule I.

The announcement to schedule kratom was met with considerable protest from the public and members of Congress. Kratom advocacy groups, such as the American Kratom Association (AKA), fronted rigorous petition campaigns, which included a White House petition that received over 140,000 signatures from individuals who reported using kratom as a natural method to weaning off of prescription opioid addiction and coping with chronic pain. As a result, the FDA withdrew its recommendation.

Where can I purchase kratom in New Jersey?

Kratom can be found in head shops, smoke shops, and even convenience stores. But true fans know that the best way to purchase kratom is through reputable vendors. Buying online gives you higher quality, a better selection, and an unadulterated kratom product. In addition, you’ll undoubtedly spend less on kratom when shopping online. This is because most good online kratom vendors buy their products directly from the source, with competitive pricing.

The AKA and kratom Advocacy

The American Kratom Association (AKA) is an advocacy group established in 2014 committed to protecting the freedom of kratom and the Mitragyna Speciosa. It is also a non-profit organization fighting for continued kratom research. It sponsors the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, legislation that sets manufacturing, distribution, sale, and possession guidelines. In addition, it sets age limits, promotes education and research, and sets standards for the quality of goods and labeling.

As of 2024, 11 states have passed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia. Dozens more states are considering similar legislation.

To see if kratom is currently legal in your state, check out this interactive Kratom legality map.