IS KRATOM LEGAL IN MARYLAND?
For the yet uninitiated to the growing usage of Kratom, it is an organic product that is derived from the leaf of a tree that grows in Southeast Asia. The leaves are ground up into a powder and used to treat chronic pains, elevate the mood, suppress depression, induce sleep for insomniacs and provide a safe environment for people who want to wean themselves off dangerous opioids.
But this helpful nature of the plant has brought up concerns as well about it and some believe that it should be controlled by either the federal or the state governments. Others however think that consumers should be allowed to make their own decisions on what they purchase and use.
The federal government is still studying the uses of the plant and its alleged side effects for some years now. In the absence of any law at the federal level, it becomes the responsibility of the individual states to create their own regulations regarding whether to allow or to ban it.
Is Kratom Legal In Maryland?
Thankfully for the residents of Maryland, it is legal at present.
They can enjoy all of kratom’s great benefits. Though some news reports and talks seem to suggest that soon there could be legal documents that might be drawn. So do check your local laws concerning the legality of kratom from time to time and stay on the side of the law.
Kratom Legality In Maryland?
Till date there are no legally approved laws from the federal government and neither is there anything from the state’s side. Hence, kratom is legal in this lacuna of law at present. In 2019, DEA reported about kratom and its effects. Then the FDA jumped on to the scene with people dying due to overdoses of drugs that they found was due to a salmonella infection related to kratom - it soon became the epicenter of all discussions against kratom.
But at the state level as of today there is little movement in terms of a law or legal formality in the Senate. However there seems to be a movement growing towards it which is found in some news articles from as recent as January 2020. Such reports seem to suggest that soon there could be strict regulation in Maryland in the form of a legislation. Again there seem to be factions both in favour or kratom as well as against its use and further course of action is awaited.
Even in December 2017, there are reports that the Anne Arundel County Police seized 158 grams of kratom. The confusion ensued as some factions said that these men were taken into custody due to other banned narcotics found in their possession while kratom was also there. While others seem to take this as if kratom is a banned substance in Maryland which is wrong. The current discussion in Maryland is on the opioid like effects of kratom that some refer to as an epidemic that has hit hard cities like Baltimore. Defenders of kratom suggest and point out research that shows that it is being used all across the United States to control dangerous opioid addiction withdrawal symptoms.
In January 2020, House Bill 283 was submitted in the Senate that wants to classify kratom as a Schedule I drug and to be treated as any other controlled substance. This will stop the use, possession and distribution of kratom throughout the state. The first hearing of this bill is on 2nd April 2020.
In April 2019, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention released a report that names kratom as the possible cause of death in 91 overdose cases across 11 states between July 2016 and December 2017. However, later on it was found that only in 7 out of these 91 cases was kratom used and even then it was used with other dangerous opioids. So, the cause of death in such cases may not be kratom with perfect scientific certainty.
But based on this report the FDA did send out an advisory against the use of kratom and suggested that people should wait for the results of a scientific study on kratom to present its results before using it. The results of the study are yet awaited.
The Maryland Opioid Operational Command Center in its 2019 report shows a decline in opioid related deaths in the state for the first time in a decade which might be a good point to not allow HB283 to pass in April 2020.
Where Can You Buy Kratom In Maryland?
At present there are a number of smoke shops, herbal stores, head shops, gas stations as well as CBD and kratom specific stores who offer kratom for sale in Maryland. Some of them in no order of preference are:
- Tobacco King of Vape, CBD and Kratom, 3615 Leonardtown Rd, Waldorf, MD 20601
- Kratom Vapor CBD Shop, 1000 Dundalk Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224
- SmokeArt, 1305 S Division St #3, Salisbury, MD 21804
- Boom Lites Vape Plus CBD & Kratom, 2212 Crain Hwy, Waldorf, MD 20601
- Mr. Smoke Annapolis, 2020 West St D, Annapolis, MD 21401
Why Buying Locally Is Not Safe?
In the absence of a law at the moment, there is a risk of some bad actors who have entered the kratom business. Some people report that the kratom is being spiked with other dangerous opiates as kratom in itself does not give a high. Such people are able to sell adulterated and contaminated kratom that can cause poisoning just to make a quick buck.
Though not all vendors of kratom are doing such bad things. There are quite a few good people too out there who are providing good quality kratom that is beneficial to health. But one needs to check their backgrounds and the quality of the product as per a third party checking. While it surely is a lot quicker to simply swing by the local vendor and get your kratom, checking so many things is much easier to do if you access them online instead.
Buy Kratom Online In Maryland?
Searching for kratom online allows you to research and understand properly the product you want before you purchase it. There is also a much larger selection of products available on an online store. And if you are sure of the variety of kratom you want, then online can provide much better rates in terms of discounts and such.
It is also easier to check against online if the vendor has any third party checks done on the products to ensure quality. And the choice becomes easy when you go to a vendor who has a nationwide presence like Coastline Kratom or others who have a good reputation, are well known and are trustworthy.
Most of the online players are also a safer alternative as they import their kratom from reliable sources or distributors about whom they present the full portfolio online to be checked at your own discretion.
Closing Thoughts
From a legal standpoint, kratom is legal at present in Maryland. But with no authority to check its quality, the risks are also high unless you know the vendor provides a quality product and are also aware of their ethical standards. From the consumer’s point of view, please check the vendor thoroughly before you buy kratom and stay safe.