IS KRATOM LEGAL IN MISSISSIPPI?
Kratom or the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa is a plant native to the Southeast Asian countries. It has been used for centuries now as a remedy to pain and to boost a person’s energy level and mood. It also produces euphoric properties and in some states it is not legal.
The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) lists it as a drug of concern. At low doses, users report increase in alertness, physical energy and talkativeness while at high doses it produces sedative effects and can lead to an addiction. They say that it is like a substitute for opium but stop short of banning it in the United States.
The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) too is studying the uses and problems associated with kratom before taking any further action. So in the absence of any such federal bans, kratom is basically in the grey area where it is at present legal in the United States. However, the states may come up with their laws and take a call on whether to allow or ban it.
Is Kratom Legal In Mississippi?
At present there is neither a state level ban or an approval for kratom. However a straight answer for its legality in Mississippi is confusing at best.
As it stands today, 33 counties and towns have banned the possession, sale, use, trade, etc. of kratom within their legal jurisdictions. The counties of Alcorn, Calhoun, Itawamba, Lowndes, Monroe, Noxubee, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union have banned it.
There are many towns and cities as well who have banned it though their counties may not be on the list of the ones who have definitely banned it. These laws are changing very fast and it is best to check out your town of residence to check if they too have banned it before you try out kratom.
Kratom Legality In Mississippi?
On 2nd March 2020, legislators in Mississippi started to debate on whether kratom should be regulated or banned. In most parts of the US, at present it is an unregulated product. Spectators thronged the state Capitol during this hearing where on one side sat the physicians, agents from the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, recovering drug addicts and others. This side of the room had stories about how kratom is harmful and should be made illegal.
The other side of the room consisted of people in bright green stickers with the slogan “Kratom saves lives” who were of the view that kratom should be regulated to ensure that it is not mixed with other controlled substances and is not sold to minors.
In March 2018, SB2475 did not pass the committee which wanted to define kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance and thus to ban it. If passed it would have stopped kratom way back in 2018 itself in the entire state. Later the same year this failed bill was reworded and brought back for another discussion. But kratom was left out after amendments and the rest of the controlled substances were passed as HB974.
This close shave that kratom had in 2018 on the state level did not stop the anti kratom people. They decided to tackle kratom legality all through Mississippi one city and one county at a time. This process started with Union County and Columbus City. Both places listed kratom as a synthetic substance and banned its possession, use and sale.
In March 2019, Caledonia Town banned kratom. A week after that, Lowndes County where Columbus City is situated also banned kratom through a vote of its supervisors. Then Monroe County, Tishomingo County, Alcorn County, Itawamba County also banned it in quick succession. Lee County is considering banning kratom or might have already done it by the time this article is published in a few days.
In January 2020 another bill was sponsored, called SB 2084 in Mississippi that intends to make kratom a Schedule I drug and ban it in the entire state in one fell swoop. The counties and towns where kratom is at present banned are:
Counties: Alcorn, Calhoun, Itawamba, Lowndes, Monroe, Noxubee, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo and Union.
Cities and Towns: New Albany, Blue Mountain, Belmont, Booneville, Burnsville, Bruce, Calhoun, Caledonia, Columbus, Corinth, Fulton, Guntown, Derma, Iuka, Marietta, Mantachie, Okolona, Oxford, Pontotoc, Ripley, Senatobia, Saltillo, Tishomingo and Vardaman.
Most arguments cite the death of 12 overdose victims in North Mississippi. Though even the most opposed kratom advocate also agrees that kratom may not be the primary cause in the case but it was definitely involved. There is also no data on the victim’s blood but all of them seem to blame kratom for being present there. Law enforcement also describe kratom as addictive and dangerous and thus justifies the ban.
Where Can You Buy Kratom In Mississippi?
Can you imagine being in kratom business in Mississippi and one fine day suddenly you become unlawful. Vendors of kratom have to constantly update themselves of the changing laws not just in the state but also of their county and their town to stay legal.
There surely are a few knights in shining armor in the form of a few local vendors in such parts of the state where kratom has not yet been banned. Some of them are:
- Dr. Kratom Botanicals, LLC, 7620 MS-613 #1, Moss Point, MS 39563
- Lady Kratom, 4519 Jefferson Ave, Moss Point, MS 39563
- Koast Kratom, 1622 Pass Rd #4311, Biloxi, MS 39531
- Starkville Discount Tobacco, 1026 Louisville St, Starkville, MS 39759
Why Buying Locally Is Not Safe?
Buying kratom even through a local vendor at present seems to be a dubious proposition at present. One, there is no law that clearly regulates it so you cannot be sure if you are getting a good quality product. Two, there have been in the past cases of salmonella infection throughout the US that put many lives in danger due to contamination. Three, people might be in a hurry to sell you something to recover whatever they can before they are termed ‘illegal’, so it is a huge risk.
The easiest way to procure kratom in such a tepid scenario is to go online.
Buy Kratom Online In Mississippi?
Research has shown that you can find a better quality product online at a discounted price. There are many reliable vendors like Coastline Kratom and others who have a national presence and procure their products from the best distributors. They also ensure a third party check to provide the perfect quality.
Closing Thoughts
Check the laws in Mississippi for the state, for the county and then your town as soon as you think you want to buy kratom. Then check again when you decide to pay for it. And check once more before you pop that product into your mouth or decide to vape it to stay on the safe side of the law.
Laws for kratom are changing fast in Mississippi and be sure that you do not break the law by buying, using or selling kratom if it has been banned in your town or county.