Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an herbal extract native to the humid tropical areas of Southeast Asia. Nowadays, it has been gaining popularity for its energizing and analgesic effects, and it’s legal in all of the United States, save for six states.
Unfortunately, Alabama is one of those states, so it’s impossible to purchase this substance in Birmingham. We’ll give you a few tips to find the best kratom near you if you leave the state. Next, we’ll explore the reasons for its illegality and its foreseeable future.
Is Kratom Legal in Birmingham?
No, kratom is not legal in Birmingham or anywhere in Alabama.
Kratom belongs to the list of Schedule I substances, joining heroin, LSD, cannabis, and ecstasy, among others in Alabama.
The legislative act responsible for this ban was bill AL SB226, under the reasoning that two of its components —mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine— are synthetic substances. As a result, all people caught using kratom in Alabama face criminal charges.
Like Alabama, some other states have outlawed kratom, but it remains legal in most of them.
The WHO recently reviewed kratom’s safety and determined it doesn’t need to be scheduled. Hopefully, this will impact public and government opinion and limit future banning.
As a result, the WHO will keep an eye on kratom while each nation deals with its legality on its own. That is what we have seen in Alabama.
Will Kratom Ever Be Legal in Birmingham?
People have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the kratom prohibition from its inception. Many people urged officials to reject the bill and then called for an appeal.
The American Kratom Association (AKA) is campaigning to reverse all punitive legislation on the herb, especially in the states where it was banned. However, they also need public support.
Substance legislation has been changing slowly but steadily. In 2021, legislators in Alabama passed bill AL SB46, which enabled the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. That’s a promising start, not just for cannabis but for other substances unjustly banned in the state.
In the end, there’s hope for change, but it will take some time.
Why Do Some States & Cities Ban Kratom?
The reasons for banning kratom are simple: too many misconceptions and reports of misuse, all due to the lack of reliable information on all fronts. This, coupled with people’s prejudices about psychoactive substances, results in unreasonable or misguided legislation.
There are few scientific studies on kratom, and many are limited in scope. These usually end up with unclear or contradictory conclusions, which in turn, public officials misinterpret and base laws on them.
In addition, reports of deaths caused by kratom have been used to spark fear in the population, despite finding no link between the substance and the fatalities. The WHO itself found no evidence of it posing such danger, so the writing’s on the wall.
Can You Acquire Kratom Legally in Birmingham?
No, there’s no way to acquire or use the herb legally.
In Alabama, Kratom is a Schedule I substance, meaning that all acts of selling, buying, distributing, possessing, and consuming are punishable by law. There’s no way around it, even through online vendors.
Still, there’s a possibility kratom could become legal in the coming years. In that case, you should only use reliable vendors such as Kona Kratom, Star Kratom, and VIP Kratom, which follow impeccable safety standards and have excellent reputations.
Star Kratom
Looking for Kratom in Another City?
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Which Kratom Strain Should I Use?
When we talk about kratom strains, we’re referring to the varieties of this plant, each of which has its own set of effects and applications. There are approximately 50 strains, and we categorize them based on the color of their veins. Next, we’ll see the most prevalent ones.
Green Vein Kratom Powder
Green vein kratom powder has a balanced combination of excitement and relaxation, making it excellent for beginners. Some outliers lean more to either side, but they offer the same effects overall.
The top-rated green-vein kratom strains are:
Green Malay
Green Malay pales in contrast to the red strains, yet it’s a powerful anxiolytic known for its relaxing and energizing properties. It’s a fantastic alternative to alcohol since it helps relieve anxiety by serving as a social lubricant.
Green Bali
Green Bali is versatile, with nootropic and stimulating properties at low doses and an excellent ability to relieve pain in higher amounts. All in all, it’s a balanced strain, providing energy and relaxation simultaneously.
Green Sumatra
Green Sumatra is sensitive to variations in its farming environment, so not all users report the same energizing effects. However, this is a minor occurrence, and we attest to finding a consistent quality between vendors.
Red Vein Kratom Powder
Red vein kratom powder is a common anxiolytic and pain reliever, making it a good substitute for conventional medications. These are due to a higher concentration of 7-hydroxymitragynine, an alkaloid that also gives these strains their color.
The top-rated red-vein kratom strains are:
Red Bali
Many people use Red Bali as a potent analgesic in place of other pain relievers, as it is one of the best strains for this purpose. It can also improve your mood and help you cope with stress and worry after a long day.
Red Horn
People mostly know Red Horn for its analgesic properties, but it’s also great for elevating mood and reducing anxiety. It gets its name from the shape of its leaves, which have horn-like spikes on the edges.
Red Borneo
Red Borneo delivers a mild energy boost in addition to the excellent anxiolytic qualities of this vein. It is also a highly effective pain reliever, and it’s good at calming the body and mind after a hard day at work.
White Vein Kratom Powder
White vein kratom powder has more significant levels of mitragynine, an alkaloid that induces euphoria and boosts focus and cognition. As a result, many individuals have switched to these strains to replace coffee.
The top-rated white-vein kratom strains are:
White Thai
White Thai is one of the most stimulating strains, elevating your mood and, at higher dosages, acting as an aid for socializing. Be careful, though, because it has the potential to interrupt your sleep pattern.
White Bali
Unlike other white strains, White Bali relieves anxiety and stress while also boosting mood, a good choice for lengthy workdays. People also report no noticeable adverse effects, making it an ideal strain for newcomers.
White Indo
All in all, White Indo excels at improving your mood, increasing your energy, and relieving pain. Because this strain is sensitive to changes in the environment, you may notice subtle differences across batches.
What Does Kratom Feel Like?
If you haven’t used kratom before, you may be wondering what it feels like, especially after all the mentions of energy boosts and soothing effects. This section gives you an idea of what to anticipate before trying this herb.
The effects of kratom are both physical and psychological. These depend on the dose and the strain, and there are many combinations of mental and body sensations. As a general rule, lower doses will be more stimulating, while higher ones will be soothing.
On a physical level, you can feel:
- Energy
- Relaxation
- Pain relief
On a psychological level, you can feel:
- Euphoria
- Less anxiety
- Intense dreams
Once the main effects begin to fade, people report an “afterglow,” which they describe as a feeling of energy and focus. However, after large doses, the experience becomes a “hangover,” usually involving headaches, fatigue, and lethargy.
Side Effects
Dosage is an important topic when considering using kratom. Finding the right amount for your needs can be exhausting, but it’s worth it. You shouldn’t take random doses and never beyond the recommended amounts for each use case.
If you take too much, you might find yourself experiencing adverse side effects. At best, you would feel uncomfortable body sensations, and at worst, you would put your first step on the path to addiction.
Some side effects you may feel are:
- The “wobbles”: a combination of dizziness, nausea, and vertigo
- Constipation and bloating
- Tolerance building
How Old Do I Have to Be to Buy Kratom?
The topic of age restrictions relies on multiple factors, which comes down to where you live.
No federal law indicates a countrywide age limit, and most states have no restrictions. However, there’s often an age limit, depending on whether the state has kratom regulations.
If the state has legislation, officials usually set the age at 18 or 21.
If the state hasn’t passed any legislation, some retailers impose their own. As a result, you will find that many shops refuse to sell kratom to minors. Likely, they’ll also ask for proof of age, such as a driver’s license.
In addition, many online vendors will also require age verification before letting you buy their products. As they must comply with local laws, they’ll perform this check if your shipping address is in a state with age limits.
Here’s a breakdown of age limitations in each state that has them:
- 18 years old: Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Utah
- 21 years old: Ohio, South Dakota, and Tennessee
- Banned: Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin have banned kratom.
The remaining states have no age requirements or controls, so watch out for limitations imposed by specific counties, towns, or vendors.
What Is the American Kratom Association?
Kratom users formed the American Kratom Association (AKA) in 2014 to defend their ability to use the herb in the United States. The AKA has protected kratom against several smearing and banning campaigns throughout the years, thanks to contributions from enthusiasts.
The AKA has five main goals:
- To assist everyone who relies on kratom for medicinal or recreational use
- To inform all Americans about the various advantages of kratom use
- To amplify the voice of all kratom enthusiasts across the globe
- To raise awareness by providing reliable information about the substance
- To encourage sustainable practices as well as environmental awareness to protect natural resources
On the legal front, the AKA runs several initiatives to change or overturn laws that prohibit the use of kratom. In addition, it has created the KCPA to protect all users’ rights and their health, which many states have adopted in recent years.
Furthermore, the AKA has established the Good Manufacturing Practice Standards Program (GMP), which introduces quality standards for kratom production. All vendors are free to apply for this program.
This way, users have a way to know that the kratom they buy is safe and of good quality, especially where there are no health regulations of any kind. All vendors that pass the AKA’s review receive a certification that attests to their transparency and healthy processes.
Conclusion: Where to Buy Kratom in Birmingham
Alabama is one of the few places in the United States where kratom is completely outlawed. However, there’s no reason to think this won’t change in the coming years. The AKA hasn’t surrendered and won’t stop until this herb becomes legal in the whole country. With the WHO attesting to kratom’s safety, this could happen sooner rather than later if enough people make their voices heard.
In the meantime, the best you can do is wait and show the AKA your support whenever it needs it. We are sure that its efforts, coupled with education, will tip the scales in everyone’s favor.
If you ever find yourself with the opportunity to buy kratom legally, we recommend Kona Kratom, Star Kratom, and VIP Kratom. They are reliable and focus on quality and customer satisfaction, and they never disappoint.
