kratom-legality
1 Apr, 20240
Is Kratom Legal in Illinois in 2024?
Illinois is well known for its major sports teams like the Cubs, White Sox, Bulls and the Bears. If you’re heading to Illinois, you might wonder if Kratom is legal in this state in 2023. The answer is yes and no. Let’s take a look at what that means.
- Kratom laws and legislation in Illinois
- Where can I buy Kratom in Illinois?
- The American Kratom Association
- Advocacy for Kratom in Illinois
Laws and legislation of Kratom in Illinois
Kratom is legal in Illinois but restricted to those over 18. In addition, several jurisdictions (Jerseyville, Alton, Glen Carbon, and Edwardsville) ban it or impose restrictions.
In 2017, Jerseyville was the first to institute a ban on Kratom. Then the Alton City Council passed an ordinance in 2018 “banning the possession, distribution or delivery of the botanical substance, Mitragyna speciosa, 7-Hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine and epicatechin, commonly referred to as Kratom.”
Then an Illinois lawmaker introduced a bill in 2018 to impose an outright ban on selling and possessing Kratom, the herbal supplement advocates say helps minimize pain. House Bill 4106, filed October 17 by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, would have amended the Illinois Kratom Control Act, which currently prohibits the sale of Kratom to minors. This amendment would have expanded the restriction to include adults. Fortunately, in 2019, that bill did not pass.
As it now stands, Kratom is legal for those over 18 and not living in Jerseyville, Alton, Glen Carbon, and Edwardsville.
On February 6, 2020, legislators introduced House Bill 4186, also known as the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). It is a nationwide initiative by the American Kratom Association (AKA). The AKA is a non-profit advocacy group working to keep Kratom legal and reverse existing bans.
Where can I buy Kratom in Illinois?
Kratom is relatively new in the U.S., and some companies may take that advantage to make money by selling low-quality, substandard, untested and sometimes adulterated products. Therefore, until the FDA or other laws regulate Kratom, it’s essential to do your research when buying it at a store or online.
Search for Kratom suppliers and stores, read reviews and look at the company’s longevity and return guarantee. The Kratom community is passionate, and customers are very vocal about the sales, services and quality of different Kratom companies.
The FDA does not recognize Kratom, so vendors have no regulations to comply with besides their own. Unfortunately, incidents of contaminated or adulterated Kratom sold on the market do abound. Your best bet is to buy from a reputable Kratom vendor. Such vendors will provide fresh, 100 percent Kratom, stand by their product and provide guidance and direction for your Kratom. Kingdom Kratom, for example, in business since 2017, is a Texas-based company that has become one of the leading suppliers of Kratom in the United States. They focus on delivering the highest quality Kratom, made using only all-natural, organic, sustainably sourced ingredients. All of their products are lab tested for purity and potency, so you can be sure you’re getting a high-quality product. Give their sample packs a try!
The American Kratom Association
The American Kratom Association (AKA) is a non-profit advocacy group established in 2014, committed to preserving and protecting the freedom of Kratom or Mitragyna Speciosa. It advocates for continued regulation to ensure Kratom quality and also for increased research on the benefits of Kratom. The AKA continues to work tirelessly to have Kratom legal in every state. You can help in that effort by joining the AKA as a “protector” of Kratom. You’ll then receive notification of any changes to laws and any advocacy needed. Your help is critical to this effort, and you can join the email list here.
The Kratom Consumer Protection Act
The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KPCA) is legislation the American Kratom Association introduced that encourages advocacy for Kratom education and research. In addition, it sets legal guidelines for the industry regarding labeling, ingredients, and age restrictions. The Act prohibits the sale of adulterated or misbranded Kratom. The KCPA would also create a voluntary certification program for Kratom retailers and manufacturers.
The Kratom Consumer Protection Act is under consideration in more than 20 states, says a spokesperson for the American Kratom Association. The organization hopes Illinois will soon join the eight other states where versions of the legislation have passed as of 2023. The KPCA has passed in Utah, Georgia, Arizona, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, Missouri and Oklahoma.
To see if Kratom is legal in your state, check out this map, courtesy of the American Kratom Association.