Mitragyna speciosa, better known as kratom, is a medicinal plant that grows naturally in Thailand, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia.
Despite being used for hundreds of years, governments and the scientific community are beginning to accept the benefits of kratom, and its consumption has increased exponentially.
While some states have made it illegal, Arizona has not passed any laws prohibiting kratom — which belongs to the same family as coffee.
Learn more about kratom in Arizona, where to buy it, how to use it safely, and more.
Is Kratom Legal in Arizona?
Kratom is legal in the state of Arizona.
In 2014, authorities attempted to ban kratom, arguing that the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine should be Schedule I substances. This bill did not make it to the senate due to the lack of any scientific basis for banning these alkaloids.
In 2019, Arizona implemented House Bill 2550, an act intended to protect kratom consumers.
Since implemented, kratom sellers must verify the age of the buyers and include the contents of the product on the package.
Where to Buy Kratom in Arizona
You have two options for buying kratom: online or in-store.
Even though kratom is regulated in Arizona, buying online is usually the safest option. However, this article aims to provide information that helps you make the best decision for you. This section will cover both in-store and online purchases.
Buying Kratom Online
The kratom you buy online is usually of higher quality. Most of the time, you’re buying from AKA-certified companies exclusively dedicated to kratom. They also have a greater variety, which allows you to be more specific in choosing the kratom best suited for your needs.
Ordering from home gives you an added layer of convenience and discretion.
Price is another thing to consider. It costs more to run a physical store than it does to run an online store. Overhead costs are passed on to the consumer, making the products more expensive in retail shops compared to online stores.
While online stores are safer than most local shops, you still need to be careful. Not every vendor is honest, but many offer consistently good kratom.
Here are three online vendors that stand out in terms of quality and consistency:
- Kona Kratom (rated best vendor for 2023)
- VIP Kratom (best premium kratom supplier)
- Star Kratom (fastest shipping times)
Star Kratom
Buying Kratom In-Store
This option was much riskier before kratom was regulated, as most of the problems centered around stores selling low-quality or dangerous products.
Now, these problems have diminished, though not wholly, as vendors must abide by the new legislation. However, there are still reasons to believe that buying kratom in-store is not the best option.
Kratom bought locally is more expensive due to high overhead costs. These stores act as a middleman and have to raise prices in order to make a profit. Not only is a middleman more expensive, but it’s also risky. Though rare, dishonest businesses may alter the kratom to stretch it or make it more potent.
Because of a lack of space, physical stores generally carry only the most popular products, giving you a limited selection. This makes it hard to find what you need, leaving you to visit multiple shops or miss out altogether.
If you still want to buy kratom locally, search online “kratom near me,” or you can visit the following stores:
- Arizona Kratom (Tucson)
- Southwest Kratom (Tucson)
- Magic Smoke Vape (Tempe)
- AH Smoke & Vape (Gilbert)
- Smoke Shop (Mesa)
Find Kratom Near You
Check out where to find kratom in these cities in Arizona:
What To Look For When Buying Kratom
Whether you want to buy kratom online or in-store, you need to take certain precautions to make this task easier. Here are the things you should keep in mind when choosing your kratom.
1. Look For AKA Certification
The American Kratom Association (AKA) is a private, not-for-profit entity that aims to help kratom consumers gain access to quality, adulterant-free products.
Vendors affiliated with the AKA must undergo an annual audit in which a third-party laboratory tests the kratom. If the product doesn’t meet the standards set by the AKA, the vendor is no longer endorsed.
Even though Arizona regulates kratom, a store with AKA certification probably distributed quality kratom before regulations were in place.
2. Company Reputation
The internet is your best friend when it comes to buying kratom. In addition to finding the best stores on the web, you can also find user reviews.
Customer reviews help determine the trustworthiness of a business, but there are other things to consider. Because of the different strains, kratom has a variety of effects. Individuals will often give personal accounts as to how these strains affected them, making it easier for you to know what to try.
To make things easier, you can access our vendor reviews, where we highlight all the pros and cons of various vendors operating in the United States and Europe.
3. Strain Selection
Kratom comes in many different strains. Each kratom strain is determined by vein color and is a good indicator of what effects you can expect.
There are three kratom vein colors to be aware of:
Red vein kratom is sedative and often used as a painkiller due to its high content of 7-hydroxymitragynine, an alkaloid that interacts with the opioid receptors that trigger these effects.
White vein kratom provides the most stimulating effects. High amounts of mitragynine in these strains are responsible for increased concentration and focus but become sedative in high doses.
Green vein kratom is an intermediate. Some breeds in this category provide more stimulating effects, while others will lean more towards analgesia and relaxation.
What Are People Using Kratom For?
Today, more than three million Americans use kratom for medicinal purposes, hoping to improve their lives or alleviate various ailments.
Kratom has many uses, and research will likely discover many more. However, in this section, we’ll focus on the most common ones and tell you the best way to use kratom for each of them.
Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety and depression are one of the main reasons many people turn to kratom. The medications for these psychological ailments have unpleasant side effects.
Red vein kratom is best for anxiety. If you’re looking for one to help with depression, try white vein strains instead. Be careful with the dosage, as the wrong amount might cause the opposite effect.
Energy & Focus
Energy, focus, and concentration are synonymous with white vein kratom. Try breeds in this category if you’re looking for nootropic effects. A low to moderate dose is ideal; high doses are often sedative.
The more balanced green strains are also helpful if you find the stimulation of white kratom too strong.
Pain Relief
Pain is an alarm bell warning you that something is wrong. Sometimes, it only lasts a few seconds, as in the case of a muscle or stomach cramp.
Chronic pain is defined as any persistent pain lasting two weeks or more. There are many causes for chronic pain — some are treatable, others are much harder to address.
Red vein kratom is the best for an analgesic effect. The 7-hydroxymitragynine interacts with opioid receptors, as potent painkillers do.
If you’re taking kratom for chronic pain, you must be strict with your intake, as you’ll likely be using it for an extended period.
Opioid Withdrawal
Opiates, both legal and illegal, are highly addictive. The severity of the withdrawal only compounds the devastation caused by these drugs.
Red vein kratom helps ease withdrawal symptoms and works as a pain killer. This makes withdrawal easier, allowing people to wean off opioid use.
Learn more about how people are using kratom for opiate withdrawal.
Is Kratom Safe?
Kratom is very safe but can cause side effects or addiction if not used properly.
These problems are minor, especially when compared to those caused by prescription medications. To avoid these undesirable effects, consume kratom responsibly, in the smallest effective dose as infrequently as possible. You shouldn’t be taking kratom more than five times a week.
By sticking to this principle, you’ll most likely enjoy its benefits without suffering from any side effects.
What Are The Side Effects of Kratom?
Any substance, natural or synthetic, that has physical effects on the body runs the risk of producing side effects. Some may occur even with proper use; however, these usually disappear after the first few doses.
Some of the side effects that you may encounter are:
- Brain fog
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
- Liver damage (with long-term use)
- Lethargy
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea and vomiting
Too high a dose is usually the cause of lethargy, dizziness, and brain fog. Gastrointestinal problems are more common in the first few doses as the body adjusts.
Don’t consume kratom if you’re pregnant or under the effects of drugs/alcohol.
What’s The Future of Kratom in Arizona
There was only one attempt to ban kratom in Arizona, and it was a resounding failure. There’s no reason to believe kratom will be illegal any time soon.
As to the future, we can’t help but be optimistic. We believe that the rest of the country will follow states like Arizona or Nevada, which support instead of punishing kratom users.
If you’re interested in seeing how kratom can help you, remember to only buy from trustworthy sources.
If you want a quick recommendation, check out brands like Kona Kratom, VIP Kratom, or Star Kratom.
