Although it’s not entirely clear how kratom managed to wiggle its way into the western world, some reports from the US-FDA reveal that the first recorded use of kratom was dated sometime in 2010. Since then, kratom has only become increasingly popular. In fact, some people might say it’s gaining on hemp as the ultimate alternative herbal remedy of the modern age. At the end of the day, all people really want to know is kratom legal in Canada?
Unfortunately for US citizens, some state governments don’t seem to be too welcoming of the kratom hype. With many jurisdictions placing a ban on kratom, the herb’s US patronage is lobbying hard to have the plant legalized nationwide. North of the border, however, Canadians seem to be taking the kratom controversy in stride.
Why is Kratom’s Legality in Question?
First things first — why is kratom’s legality even being debated? As a close relative of the coffee plant, you would think that kratom should be legal worldwide. But it’s really not that simple. For the most part, governments are most concerned about two compounds in the plant’s chemistry. These are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Studies have found that these compounds interact with opioid receptors in the brain, resulting to feelings of sedation and relaxation. In the same way, kratom allegedly has benefits that reduce discomfort — physical or otherwise. That’s why some people claim that kratom might be the solution to the opioid crisis.
Countless anecdotal reports from long-time kratom users state that the herb has helped resolve opioid addiction in hundreds if not thousands of sufferers. However, the scientific evidence to support these claims is very limited, which has led to governments ‘cracking down’ on the plant.
Presently, kratom isn’t approved for its medicinal benefits both in the United States and in Canada. Interestingly, it’s not even approved as a food or drink product in both countries. But then again, there are major differences in the way that Canada and the US have responded to the kratom boom.
Is Kratom Legal in Canada?
Just to set things straight — the federal government of the United States has not banned or prohibited kratom outright. However certain states have imposed their own regulations to control or ban kratom within their borders. The same can’t be said however for Canada… Is kratom legal in Canada?
The country doesn’t have any laws that prohibit the use, sale, possession, or purchase of kratom, and neither do any of its provinces or territories. So there are no nationwide restrictions on the movement of kratom goods. But there is a catch.
As previously mentioned, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has not approved kratom for human consumption. So if a Canadian kratom vendor were to ever have a run-in with authorities, it might be because of improper labeling.
Proper Labels for Kratom Products
For your kratom products to pass through Canada without issues, they have to be properly labeled. That means the products need to be identified properly with the statement ‘not for human consumption.’
Since the CFIA has yet to confirm whether kratom is actually safe for humans to eat or use as a supplement, it’s imperative the vendors make it clear that that’s not what their products are intended for — regardless of what form its in.
Well, but what about the buyers? Interestingly, the labeling concern for kratom is mostly a seller-end concern. Once you actually get your products sent to you (or if you buy them in-store), there’s really no one there to check whether or not you’ve actually consumed the products orally.
It’s an open secret that kratom is consumed by its buyers. But just for the sake of abiding by the law, vendors are required to label their products until kratom is finally approved by the CFIA.
Is It Legal to Use Kratom in Canada?
Well, yes, of course, it is. Again, there are no laws the specifically prohibit the use or sale of kratom in Canada. The only way the Canadian government interferes with kratom is with product labeling. What you do with the herb when you finally bring it home is entirely up to you.
Think about it this way. It’s totally legal to buy cardboard in Canada. Heck, you can buy as much cardboard as your money will allow. And while it’s generally accepted that you can’t eat cardboard and that it isn’t approved by the CFIA as a food product, that doesn’t really stop you from eating it in the comfort of your home.
Would the authorities come crashing through your door to tell you otherwise? Probably not. The same thing goes for kratom. What’s important is that you were warned. Whether or not you heed that warning (delivered through the product labels) is entirely up to you.
Can You Ship Kratom Across Canada?
Since there are no laws that prohibit kratom, it’s totally legal to ship the stuff across the country. However, larger shipments coming into the country can be a bit of an issue. The Canadian Boarder Services or Canada Customs do not like large shipments of kratom coming into the country. Often times, large kratom shipments are stopped and redirected back to Indonesia or the original shipping country. The FDA as well as Health Canada have notices on their websites warning about the consumption of kratom.
Health Canada and the Canadian Border Services want all kratom importers to have a government issued license in order to handle, store and sell kratom products. However at this time, there are no licenses available or even an application process. On the bright side, smaller packages containing kratom can easily pass thought customs without any issues.
Again, all you really need to make sure of is that the products are labeled. It doesn’t matter if the kratom isn’t presented as a supplement or a food item. Even if it’s just a bag of powder, the package must indicate the words ‘not for human consumption’ to guarantee easy, seamless transport throughout the country.
Do Canadian Drug Tests Detect Kratom?
Presently, the tests developed to detect kratom in a person’s system aren’t quite available just yet. While there are tests that can use urine, hair, or nail samples to determine whether a person has taken kratom, they’re not currently distributed quite as widely as other drug tests. The reason? Well, kratom isn’t a controlled substance.
In Canada, there is no reason for authorities to even use these limited kratom tests because there would be no purpose for it. Consumption of kratom isn’t illegal in Canada. The only thing they would seek to penalize would be the advertising of kratom products as food or supplements.
The Final Word
While things south of the border might be a little messy, Canadians enjoy relative freedom when it comes to the use and sale of kratom. Now to sum things up, is kratom legal in Canada? Yes it is. Of course, labeling is still a major concern. But as long as those requirements are met, then vendors and buyers can freely enjoy the benefits of kratom with zero limitations.