Is Kratom Legal in Ohio? 2023 Update

Is kratom legal in Ohio?

That’s an important question to ask before buying kratom near you! The short answer, in the state of Ohio, yes! Kratom is legal to buy, sell and use for anyone at any age in all parts of Ohio, so you can buy kratom from a local retailer or you have the option to buy online and have kratom shipped to your door. The choice is yours!

However, kratom is not legal everywhere. Because kratom is not federally regulated, it is up to each state to develop and enforce legislation. Because of this, things like age requirements for using kratom are constantly changing. There are some states that are also divided within, making kratom legal in a state but not all cities, counties, or municipalities within that state. Be sure you understand your state and local laws regarding kratom before you make a purchase. 

What is Kratom?

This botanical has been used by the native peoples in this region for centuries as a part of their holistic well-being, for lifting spirits, relaxing the body, and liberating the mind. All kratom comes from the dried leaves of the Mitragyna Speciosa tree, a species native to Southeast Asia and a relative to the coffee plant. It thrives in hot, humid climates making Southeast Asia the world’s top Kratom source. You can learn more about the kratom plant and its benefits here.

Only after reaching their peak of perfection, leaves are hand-picked by Kratom farmers with years of experience selecting only the best Kratom leaves. After specialized drying techniques, the leaves are crushed and made into the kratom you can buy online today.

Can I Buy Kratom In Ohio?

Kratom is legal to buy, sell and use for anyone at any age in all parts of Ohio. You’ll be able to find it at local smoke shops, vape stores or herbal shops near you. Be sure to only buy kratom from manufactures who are members of and certified by The American Kratom Association, also known as the AKA, the consumer advocate group for kratom users throughout the United States. Read on to learn more about the AKA and their efforts to protect consumers and keep kratom legal.

Where To Find Kratom In Ohio

In big cities like Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton you’ll find many quality smoke shops that carry kratom. Check out this article for the best places to buy kratom in a city near you. This curated list will tell you where to find the best vape shops, smoke shops, or herbal shops that sell kratom in Columbus, Dayton and more!

History of kratom legality in Ohio

At this moment, Kratom is legal in Ohio. However, the state’s Board of Pharmacy has recommended banning it. Although the American Kratom Association is still trying to guide officials towards the Kratom Consumer Protection Act in Ohio, local lawmakers have agreed to ban kratom if the DEA decides to schedule it.

In 2018 The movement against kratom started when the Ohio Board of Pharmacy (OCB) issued a statement on the dangers of kratom along with its proposal to ban it. It recommended putting the active alkaloids in kratom among the Schedule I drugs next to synthetic opioids and heroin.

Again, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy was about to ban kratom in summer of 2019. However, after nearly 100 people came to a public hearing to share their positive experiences with kratom authorities decided to delay the bill to ban. The bill was unsuccessful and died in committee.

Now, it seems like lawmakers in this state are more focused on regulating this herb instead of banning it. A new bill was introduced in 2021, suggesting the following policies:

• a person willing to process kratom will have to apply for and obtain a kratom processing license from the director of agriculture,
• kratom processors will pay an annual license fee,
• all kratom products will undergo lab testing,
• the department of agriculture will conduct regular random inspections to verify compliance with the new legislation,
• label kratom products,
• no person or vendor will sell, distribute, or manufacture kratom products that contain dangerous non-kratom substances or synthetic alkaloids,
• no kratom product will contain more than 2% of 7-hydroxymitragynine of the total alkaloid content,
• incompliance with the legislation will lead to losing the kratom processing license or minor misdemeanor (a fine of up to $150) for the first offense and a fourth-degree misdemeanor (30 days of jail time and/or a $250 fine) for any subsequent offense.

Although the use of this herb is legal here, it is still not regulated. That means that not all the kratom you can buy is trustworthy. Until Ohio adopts their version of the KCPA, the purity of the kratom products being sold is still up for debate.

The AKA and The Fight to Make Kratom Federally Legal and Regulated

Founded in 2014, the American Kratom Association’s vision has always been to protect the rights and safety of kratom users across the nation. Since kratom is not being regulated at a federal level, each state is left to decide how they want to handle this herb and there are no federal standards to regulate manufacturers and distributors of kratom, meaning that not all the kratom you can buy is safe. The American Kratom Association, also known as the AKA, is the consumer advocate group for kratom users throughout the United States.

Thanks to the AKA, not all legislative efforts that affect kratom users and kratom vendors are prohibitive. They are working to get all states on board with the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. This act will help regulate the kratom industry – keeping consumers safe and providing kratom manufacturers a set of safety standards to follow. The AKA actively monitors federal, state, city, and municipal legislation in the battle for kratom legality. Check this out If you’re interested in getting involved with your local legislators regrading kratom.

Buying Kratom Online

Because you live in a state where kratom is legal you have two options– you can either buy it online or locally! Buying kratom online is a popular option because you can save money with discounts and coupon codes, and the kratom is more reliable. If you love lots of options, shopping for kratom online is perfect for you! Vendors who sell online tend to have a large variety of strains to try vs. a local retailer who may have only a few. Make sure you are only buying kratom from a safe source. Before you buy, check to see if your kratom product comes from a vendor that is certified by the AKA.

NuWave Botanicals Has the Best Kratom Strains

NuWave Botanicals is an AKA certified vendor bringing you only the highest quality kratom powders, purest kratom capsules, strongest liquid kratom, best kratom shots, the largest variety of bulk kratom to buy online and more. They come highly recommended and have great customer service.

Their worry-free guarantee means you can rest assured that the Kratom leaves in every one of their products are lab-tested for purity and strength before being packaged in a facility that complies with the AKA’s current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) program. If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase from them, they also offer a no-hassle, 30-day customer satisfaction guarantee! You can have your kratom delivered to your door in as little as one day, and shipping is always FREE on orders of $100 or more.

The NuWave Difference

NuWave Kratom is based in Texas. As believers in the good it can do, they strive to make kratom education and products more accessible to those who could benefit from its wellness properties. They ethically source all their kratom from Indonesia, where they empower local farmers, their families, and communities to thrive. That’s the NuWave difference.