Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an evergreen tree member of the Rubiaceae family. It grows naturally in Southeast Asia and presents a bitter flavor, but its fascinating properties have made it very popular around the globe.
Unfortunately, you won’t find any shops near you as kratom is illegal in Huntsville, Alabama. In this article, you’ll learn about kratom’s legality in the present, how it could become legal in the future, and why it was banned in the first place.
Is Kratom Legal in Huntsville?
No, kratom is not legal in Huntsville.
Unlike most of the United States, where kratom is unregulated and thus legal, Alabama has banned its use and distribution.
In 2016, the bill AL SB226 placed kratom on the list of Schedule I substances, where it’s considered as dangerous as heroin or ecstasy. This measure ensures that anyone caught with kratom products will face criminal charges.
This decision was based on the inaccurate claim that kratom’s two main alkaloids — mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine — are synthetic substances. The FDA’s campaign to ban kratom most likely influenced this action.
So far, the agency’s attempts have been mostly unsuccessful, even after requesting the World Health Organization (WHO) to back their claims. Fortunately, the WHO released an official statement declaring that kratom does not represent a threat to public health.
Still, all states are free to place the regulations they see fit and Alabama, along with five others, chose to forbid it outright.
Will Kratom Ever Be Legal in Huntsville?
Despite the active opposition against the AL SB226 bill, officials have been very firm with their measures. Possession of kratom alone could grant you up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, with stiffer penalties for repeat offenders.
There is still hope that things could change for the better, as people everywhere are becoming more tolerant and better educated about psychoactive substances. In 2021, the bill AL SB46 was introduced, which legalized medicinal cannabis in Alabama.
Currently, the American Kratom Association (AKA) is fighting throughout the country to protect kratom users and dispel misconceptions. Their Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) is the best shot at legalizing and regulating the herb.
Why Do Some States & Cities Ban Kratom?
The decision to ban kratom is often born out of fear, misconceptions, and prejudices. Also, having entities such as the FDA and the DEA campaigning against it only hurts kratom’s image.
Coupled with conveniently isolated cases of misuse and a lack of diverse scientific research, many people fear giving kratom a chance. Still, the WHO’s recent ruling on the matter may soon help change the public’s opinion.
Can You Acquire Kratom Legally in Huntsville?
Currently, there’s no legal way to acquire kratom.
Ever since the bill AL SB226 was introduced, it has been entirely illegal to buy, sell, use and manufacture kratom in Alabama. Physical stores cannot stock it, and online vendors are not allowed to ship to addresses in the state.
Repercussions of any lawbreaking are severe, so we recommend against purchasing and stowing the herb for as long as the situation endures.
However, we believe in the possibility that the ban will get lifted in the future. In that context, the first options to consider are reputable online vendors such as Kona Kratom, Star Kratom, and VIP Kratom.
VIP Kratom
Do you live in another city? Check out our following guides:
Which Kratom Strain Should I Use?
We give the name strains to the different types of kratom, and we can tell them apart based on the color of their veins. Each has unique properties. We’ll cover some of the most common strains below.
Green Vein Kratom Powder
Green-veined strains come from medium-level mature plants and are known for their well-balanced quality. Green vein kratom powder offers both stimulation and relaxation, with more subtle but long-lasting effects.
The top-rated green-veined kratom strains are:
Green Malay
Among the most potent green-veined strains, you’ll find Green Malay, as its level of maturity means it has a high concentration of alkaloids. It can provide a clean energy boost and relief for pains and discomfort.
Green Sumatra
Green Sumatra is a prominent mood-enhancing strain that also produces a sense of relaxation towards the end. It’s a well-balanced variety, favored by people fighting stress and workers needing a kick of energy.
Green Borneo
Green Borneo provides a sense of peacefulness and mental clarity that is very sought after. It is a notably consistent strain, and it delivers all of the effects you could need in a kratom strain to enhance your daily life.
Red Vein Kratom Powder
Red vein kratom powder is an intense variety, rich in 7-hydroxymitragynine because it comes from fully-matured leaves. This makes it an effective analgesic that can also help relieve anxiety and improve sleep.
The top-rated red-veined kratom strains are:
Red Sumatra
Red Sumatra is one of the most calming kratom strains on the market, aiding pain, muscular or mental. Naturally, it also helps promote better sleep quality, making it a great strain to wind down.
Red Thai
Red Thai can be a strong sedative, but if used in low amounts can also provide nootropic benefits. Since it can be pretty potent, we recommend using moderate doses to keep your tolerance low.
Red Borneo
Red Borneo is a fantastic mood-lifter at lower doses; at larger ones, it can be a great aid in alleviating insomnia. Its effects are like a wave of peaceful euphoria that helps soothe the mind after a long day.
White Vein Kratom Powder
White vein kratom powder usually provides an energy boost similar to coffee while also helping improve your mood and cognitive functions. It comes from leaves picked at early maturity levels, so it contains higher levels of mitragynine.
The top-rated white-veined kratom strains are:
White Bali
If you need help defeating lethargy, White Bali is the strain for you. It has a bold, energetic capacity to power you through the day while improving your mood and mitigating stress.
White Sumatra
In smaller doses, White Sumatra will provide a substantial energy boost that will have you alert and focused on stressful workdays. It also helps ward off insomnia and relaxes the mind in larger amounts.
White Borneo
White Borneo is an excellent substitute for coffee, as it provides a clean boost of energy with the additional benefit of improving your mental functions. Anyone needing to remain productive for extended periods should try this variety.
Snorting Your Kratom: Is It a Good Idea?
While snorting kratom is possible, and some people do it, it is the least advisable method of consumption. It means greater risks for your health from an otherwise relatively safe herb.
Many users, especially those using kratom to treat addictions, ingest the powder via snorting because of the ritualistic nature of the act. Others do it because it is a quick way to experience the effects, being much stronger but short-lived.
The truth is that snorting kratom can be very dangerous and possibly cause devastating short and long-term side effects.
Possible side-effects in the short term include:
- Infections
- Irritation on the throat and sinus
- Persistent nose bleeding
- Swelling of the nasal cavities
- Trouble breathing
Possible side-effects in the long term include:
- Blood clots in the lungs
- Lung infections
- Pulmonary embolisms
- Severe damage to the respiratory system
The most significant risk while snorting kratom is overdosing, something largely implausible via oral ingestion, as you would likely vomit the excess.
This is because the powder does not go through the digestive system, where it can later safely exit the body. Instead, it builds up in the upper respiratory tract.
This buildup can cause inflammation, blockages, and infections in the respiratory system and lead to hallucinations, difficulty breathing, pains, seizures, and even coma. None of this is probable while using traditional methods to take kratom.
How Long Does Kratom Stay Fresh?
How long kratom stays fresh depends on many variables, mainly the conditions you stored it. Generally, kratom remains fresh for about three months since the manufacturer first dried it into a powder.
The kratom you purchase will probably take less than that to become stale due to the length of time it takes before you receive it. Fortunately, you can use methods to extend its usable life to up to a year.
If you’d like to store kratom for an extended period, take into consideration the following:
- Keep the powder dry and away from moisture
- Store it in an airtight container to prevent oxygen exposure
- Keep it in a cool environment with consistent temperatures
- Stow it in a dark place away from sunlight
- Avoid strong smells to conserve its flavor
In the short-term, it’s good to:
- Package individual doses and store them in sealed bags
- Freeze it in the form of tea, avoiding glass containers
You will notice if kratom is past fresh if you spot mold, signs of decay or freezer burn, and a loss of color and smell. In this case, we advise you not to use the powder since the quality could be compromised.
What’s the Dose of Kratom?
Finding the perfect kratom dosage can take trial and error since it will depend on your weight, desired effect, and even the time between doses.
To find it, you must take it slow and start with small amounts, adding up to 2 grams per hour without exceeding the 8-gram mark.
Usually, the dose of kratom is between 2 and 12 grams. The general guideline is:
- Microdoses stay below 2 grams
- Low doses go from 2 to 6 grams
- High doses start at 6 grams
- Heavy doses are anything higher than 8 grams
If you would like to know where to start, doing some simple math will get you a number you could use as a base:
- For stimulation, go for 0.025 grams per pound of bodyweight
- For pain relief, go for 0.04 grams per pound of bodyweight
It’s worth mentioning that the higher the doses you take, the more you are prone to experiencing side effects. Choosing the correct strain and keeping a low tolerance level is best to get the most out of your kratom.
Conclusion: Where to Buy Kratom in Huntsville
In Huntsville and the rest of Alabama, kratom is currently illegal, and its use, sale, and distribution are harshly punished by law. However, a trend has recently indicated that the public is becoming more tolerant and aware of kratom’s benefits.
This, coupled with the continuous efforts by the AKA to legalize and regulate kratom, gives us hope that the situation will turn in favor of the herb’s users. Until then, supporting the campaign and spreading awareness are the best things you can do to contribute to the fight.
If kratom is legalized, we recommend buying from trustworthy online vendors such as Kona Kratom, Star Kratom, and VIP Kratom. Their excellent quality strains and customer service will ensure a beginner’s best experience.
