Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is the remedy of choice for many wellness enthusiasts struggling with common ailments, such as pain, anxiety, and sleep deprivation. Although originally from Southeast Asia, this novelty herb has garnered tremendous recognition globally for its diverse healing benefits.
However, Big Pharma and various drug enforcement agencies have been reluctant to embrace kratom. That’s mainly due to the plant’s potential mind-altering properties.
So, despite its numerous medical applications, kratom has yet to achieve global legality. It’s imperative to understand your local kratom laws before purchasing kratom-infused products.
We’ve prepared a guide to kratom’s legal status in Canada to dispel common myths and misconceptions that consumers and traders are often exposed to.
Is Kratom Legal In Canada?
A short answer is yes, Mitragyna speciosa is entirely legal in Canada.
What makes kratom legal in Canada is that there’s no outright ban on the herb. You can legally obtain kratom supplements in all ten Canadian provinces and three territories.
However, it’s important to note that access to kratom in Canada is more of a regulatory than a legal issue. While no existing law criminalizes the herb, traders must adhere to specific requirements. For those looking to buy kratom, it is essential to ensure that the vendors comply with these regulations to guarantee the quality and legality of the product.
The following section shall expound more on that by busting some common myths surrounding kratom’s legality in Canada.
Myth #1: Canadian Laws View Kratom as a Drug
Kratom may be considered a pharmaceutical drug or a dietary supplement, depending on who you ask. But in the eyes of the law, the herb is neither a drug nor a supplement.
Kratom trade in Canada falls in the ambit of two federal departments, namely Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Health Canada is responsible for formulating and enforcing the national health policy. The department regulates pharmaceutical products in the country to enhance Canadians’ health and well-being. On the other hand, the CFIA regulates the trade of dietary supplements in Canada.
Health Canada doesn’t regard kratom as a pharmaceutical drug and hasn’t authorized it for medical use. Similarly, the CFIA doesn’t consider the herb a dietary supplement and hasn’t approved it to be consumed as such.
Myth #2: All Kratom Products Are Legal In Canada.
The CFIA’s reluctance to embrace kratom as a dietary supplement presents challenges for kratom traders.
According to the department, kratom vendors should desist from selling the herb in its consumable formulations. These include edible goods like capsules, tablets, powders, tinctures, gummies, etc.
Fortunately, there are many alternative kratom formulations that sellers can provide to leverage the rising demand for the herb. They include inhalable products (such as cigarettes, e-juices, and aromatherapy oils) and topicals (such as ointments and lotions).
Myth #3: It’s Impossible to Find Kratom Edibles in Canada
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency doesn’t consider kratom as a dietary product. That theoretically makes it difficult to find consumable kratom goods in the country. However, the reality is quite the opposite.
Kratom capsules, tablets, and powders are the most common products you’ll run into when you visit any kratom store in Canada. All three should be illegal since they’re intended for oral administration. However, kratom vendors in Canada sell kratom edibles under the guise of “giveaways.” You basically pay extra for other unregulated herbs and receive kratom as part of the package.
Besides, Health Canada and the CFIA have their guns trained on the more deadly narcotics, such as cocaine and fentanyl.
Myth #4: Kratom Restrictions In Canada Are Cross-cutting
One intriguing thing about Canada’s kratom laws is that they target traders more than consumers. That’s part of Health Canada and the CFIA’s initiative to safeguard Canadians from potentially harmful products.
The CFIA’s restrictions on the right kratom formulations to sell apply only to vendors.
The implication is that consumers can take kratom in whichever form they desire without looking over their shoulders for drug enforcement officers.
Myth #5: Kratom Vendors Can Suggest Dosages
When shopping for kratom, you’ll encounter products with dosage recommendations from sellers. However, it’s best to take such advice with a grain of salt.
Kratom has no standard dosage. Serving amounts depend on factors like the user’s age and tolerance levels.
Seasoned kratom users advise starting with lower dosages and then building momentum gradually until you reach your sweet spot.
More importantly, kratom vendors cannot give dosage recommendations. That’s because Health Canada doesn’t recognize this herb as a pharmaceutical drug yet.
Myth #6: Homegrown Kratom Is Of Superior Quality
Canada has one of the best quality assurance policies in the world. So, it’s unsurprising that most goods produced within the country are of superior quality.
However, kratom is an exception to that rule.
Indeed, you can legally cultivate kratom in Canada. But that would need you to recreate the tropical conditions of the herb’s native habitat.
The easier way (which many vendors are happy to explore) is to import kratom raw materials from Southeast Asian countries where the herb is legal. Kratom is technically legal in Thailand, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea but banned in Myanmar and Malaysia.
Wrap Up
Remember that while you can access kratom legally throughout Canada, it’s important to proceed cautiously while administering the herb. Studies have shown that kratom overdose can be grossly counterproductive.
It’s also prudent to consult a licensed healthcare officer before using kratom medically. That’s especially true if you’re already on prescription meds.