Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. It belongs to the same family as coffee and is a stimulant — but also has opioid-like properties. It’s been used as medicine since the 19th century.
Fortunately, the herb is perfectly legal in Santa Ana and most of California, and you will learn more about its legal status in this article. We will also show you the best local vendors near you and go over kratom’s most popular strains.
Is Kratom Legal in Santa Ana?
Yes, kratom is legal in Santa Ana and most of California.
California is a particular case among states regarding kratom. The herb is legal in most of the state, including Santa Ana. However, there’s a complete ban in the cities of San Diego and Oceanside.
Kratom is unregulated in the United States, but the government allows every jurisdiction to manage it. Some states have banned it entirely, while others have no regulations.
However, a recent review from the World Health Organization (WHO) determined kratom to be harmless. This decision could put kratom in a positive light and persuade governments to keep it legal.
Will Santa Ana Ban Kratom?
A kratom ban in Santa Ana is unlikely.
We can’t tell what will happen in the future, but we don’t think Santa Ana will ban kratom soon. A ban is unlikely with California’s long history of being a progressive state regarding substances and no real reason to prohibit them.
We believe it is more likely that San Diego and Oceanside will lift the ban instead of being replicated across the state.
Why Do Some States & Cities Ban Kratom?
Generally, kratom bans result from misinformation and specific cases of misuse. Many even tie kratom with substances like opioids and heroin.
Regarding San Diego and Oceanside, the legislation that made kratom illegal grouped it with other synthetic drugs. This is an error, as kratom is not artificial.
Top 5 Kratom Shops In or Near Santa Ana
Unfortunately, there aren’t many specialized kratom shops in Santa Ana. You might not find any rare strains here, though some local smoke shops carry various kratom products. We’ve compiled these shops into a list for you to look through.
1. Rico Smoke Shop
This store carries some high-quality kratom from recognized brands. They have a limited selection, as they’re dedicated to vape products. However, you can surely find some kratom in stock.
They’re located at 1630 S Standard Ave, and their phone number is (714) 543-5470. You can also visit their website for directions and further information.
2. Day-Day’s Smoke Shop
Day-Day’s is a famous shop for kratom and smoking accessories. Their selection of kratom is quickly growing, and their staff will happily guide you through your purchase.
You can visit them at 339 W 17th St or call them by phone at (714) 541-0996 if you want to consult their stock beforehand. They don’t have a website, but you can follow them on their Instagram page for a snippet of their products.
3. E & S Smoke Shop
This little shop has a wide range of kratom products and all three vein color varieties in both powder and capsules. They can be pricey, but you will probably find what you’re looking for here.
Stop by at 904 E 1st Street to take a look. You can also contact them by phone at (714) 550-0111 or browse their website for more information.
4. Rodeo Smoke Shop
Rodeo Smoke Shop is a new store in Santa Ana. They sell a wide variety of products, including kratom. Their customer service is outstanding, and you should leave satisfied if you decide to visit them.
Their address is 3005 S Bristol St, and their phone number is (714) 760-4704. Unfortunately, they don’t have a website or social media presence.
5. Kosta Kratom
Kosta Kratom is a kratom-dedicated store just 5 miles north of Santa Ana which might be worth the detour if you’re a kratom enthusiast. It is a popular place known for its high-quality kratom products, including powder, capsules, and even shots.
Their address is 1010 N Batavia St Suite e, Orange. You can call them before heading there at (888) 501-7029 for any inquiries. They also have a website you can explore.
Looking for Kratom in Another City?
Check out these other Californian guides:
- Anaheim
- Bakersfield
- Chula Vista
- Concord
- Fresno
- Indio
- Irvine
- Long Beach
- Los Angeles
- Mission Viejo
- Modesto
- Murrieta
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Santa Clarita
- Stockton
- Oakland
- Oxnard
- Victorville
Why You Should Buy Kratom Online
Although there are some physical shops in Santa Ana, it’s still better to buy online.
These are the main benefits of buying kratom online:
- It’s safer — The best online shops make their third-party lab tests public. In addition, you can read through dozens, if not hundreds, of reviews from previous users.
- It’s cheaper — Online shops have little overhead cost. Physical stores charge more to cover things like electricity, maintenance, and other expenses.
- The quality is higher — Online vendors mostly get their kratom from manufacturers. Reducing intermediaries allows them to sell you fresher, higher-quality kratom.
- Broader selection — Finding specialized or rare strains in physical stores can be quite hard. Stores that don’t specialize in kratom won’t offer anything besides the most popular products.
- It’s easier — Nothing can beat the comfort of buying from home. Once you have a favorite store and a strain picked, you can buy your kratom in minutes, right from the comfort of your couch.
Is Buying Kratom In-Store Safe?
Generally, yes, but it depends on the vendor. Online is safer, though.
We can’t say buying in a physical store is unsafe since most places won’t sell you something bad on purpose. Still, kratom that is not stored correctly can lose its strength and even become dangerous to consume.
This, along with the previous list of reasons, is why our recommendation is to buy online. If you still prefer to buy in person, we suggest you pick a well-reviewed seller that stores their products adequately.
Related: How to Store Kratom
Kratom Vendors That Ship to Santa Ana
Many online sellers will ship to Santa Ana, and picking the right one can be challenging. We’ve gathered the best online kratom sellers to save you time and trouble. You can’t go wrong with any of the following, as all of them provide safe, tested, top-quality kratom.
1. Kona Kratom
Kona Kratom
Kona Kratom is our top choice, thanks to its high-quality kratom and fantastic customer service. All their products go through extensive quality control, and they offer a wide variety of strains.
They also have a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with your purchase. Their prices range from $54.99 to $159.99 for loose powder.
Their best strains are:
- Green Malay
- Red Maeng Da
- Red Dragon
2. Star Kratom
Star Kratom
If the main reason you like to buy in person is that you can get your kratom instantly, you should give Star Kratom a try. They offer a same-day shipping option where you can get your purchase in less than 24 hours.
Plus, they have affordable products with prices ranging from as low as $34.99 to $99.99 for powder and around $24.99 to $74.99 for capsules.
Their best strains are:
- Red Bali
- Green Maeng Da
- Green Balay
3. VIP Kratom
VIP Kratom
VIP Kratom is a store dedicated to selling the highest quality kratom. Their products undergo extensive, strict quality control and lab tests to ensure complete purity. This makes their products more potent than usual, so if you’re a beginner, take less than you usually would and increase little by little.
Still, their prices are high, but you’ll get what you pay for. The lowest price you will find here is $54.99 for 8 ounces of kratom powder, up to $179.99.
Their best strains are:
- Red Sumatra
- White Maeng Da
- Green Hulu
4. Golden Monk
Golden Monk Kratom
Golden Monk earned its reputation thanks to its commitment to quality and customer privacy. They make every batch of kratom go through six different lab tests, and you can opt for a discreet shipping option if you want to fend off unwanted attention.
Their prices are between $39.99 and $99.99, and any order above $44.99 will arrive at your doorstep for free.
Their best strains are:
- Red Bali
- Green Maeng Da
- Green Malay
5. Remarkable Herbs
Remarkable Herbs Kratom
Remarkable Herbs is one of the best-known kratom retailers. You can find their products in over 15,000 smoke shops. The downside is that they don’t sell directly to customers, so you’ll have to find a distributor if you want to buy from them.
Still, their strain selection is extensive, and their prices are affordable. You can get an ounce of kratom for as cheap as $7.99 or 20 ounces for $81.99. If you stumble across them, consider giving them a try.
Their best strains are:
- Green Thai
- Green Vein Malaysian
- White Maeng Da
6. Green Leaf Kratom
Green Leaf Kratom
If you’re looking for a rare strain, then Green Leaf Kratom probably has it. This shop is known for the wide range of strains they offer, including some that are near impossible to find anywhere else. This includes varieties like Red Hulu Kapuas and White Asia.
Their major flaw is their lack of transparency, as they do not publish their lab results. Their prices are between $11.99 and $169.99, which may be high for common strains, but you won’t find anything lower for the more exotic ones.
Their best strains are:
- Green Maeng Da
- Red Horned Borneo
- White Maeng Da
7. Gaia Kratom
Gaia (Mitragaia) Kratom
Gaia Kratom, also known as Mitragaia, is one of the oldest vendors. Their extensive selection of kratom strains comes in powder and capsules, and they even offer extracts. You can order in bulk from them and pay with cryptocurrency.
Their prices are incredibly low — you can get an ounce of loose kratom powder for $5.00 and a kilo for $100.00.
Their best strains are:
- Green Batak
- Red Brunei
- Red Ketapang
8. Chief Kratom
Chief Kratom
Chief Kratom offers an innovative product with its water-soluble extracts. They claim to have pure products with no synthetic alkaloids. Although they don’t explain the extraction process or show lab results, they are certified by the AKA.
A bottle of their extract is affordable at $11.99, but you’ll probably have to find a retailer since they don’t sell their products online.
Chief Kratom does not provide information on the strains they use.
Which Kratom Strain Should I Use?
We can group kratom strains into three main categories depending on their vein color. There are green, white, and red kratom strains. They are generally named after the place where they originated from or by the shape of their leaf.
Each strain has a chemical composition that differentiates it from the others. There are over 50 kratom strains, all with their unique mix of active ingredients.
Finding the perfect strain for you can be time-consuming and expensive, even for experienced users. We will break down some of the most popular varieties here to give you a starting point.
Green Vein Kratom Powder
Green vein kratom powder is the perfect middle ground with relaxing and stimulant properties. This is a great strain to pick, whether you are a beginner or a veteran. Additionally, since it is a popular choice, most stores will carry some version of green vein kratom.
Green Bali
The Green Bali is more on the stimulant side. It has energetic and nootropic effects, making it an ideal replacement for morning coffee. Bought from the right place, it can also have long-lasting effects that will help you throughout the entire workday.
Green Malay
Green Malay is the perfect strain to pick for any social situation. It will ease your stress and anxiety while enhancing your mood, providing a carefree headspace.
Green Sumatra
Green Sumatra covers both extremes of kratom’s effects. However, depending on the vendor and the batch, it can vary in its properties, making it inconsistent. Its main advantage is the duration of its effects.
Red Vein Kratom Powder
Red vein kratom powder is mainly used to manage pain and improve sleep, thanks to its sedating properties. It can also be used as an anxiolytic, making it the most medicinal of the three veins.
Red Sumatra
Red Sumatra is one of the most relaxing kratom powders you can get. Moderate doses will give you a sense of peace, but anything above 6 grams can put you right to sleep.
Red Horn
Red Horn is known for being unpredictable. It has a wide range of strong effects that can help you manage pain or fall asleep. When you get this strain, remember to start slow and take notes on the results that each specific batch gives you.
Red Thai
Red Thai is a mild, mood-boosting strain. It can help you feel at ease and happy, making it great for managing anxiety or stress. Higher doses of Red Thai can give you a euphoric feeling, so start low and increase as necessary.
White Vein Kratom Powder
If you’re looking for stimulant properties, then white vein kratom powder is what you want to go with. These strains contain the highest amounts of the stimulant alkaloid mitragynine, which gives it the energizing, nootropic properties it is known for.
White Borneo
White Borneo is the most popular choice for a reason. The consistency of its effects makes it perfect for beginners. This strain will put you in a calm headspace without dwindling your productivity.
White Indo
White Indo is an excellent choice that counts with all the overall properties of white strains. It offers stimulating and mood-enhancing effects.
White Bali
White Bali is the perfect strain for introducing yourself to white-veined varieties. It is a milder but versatile choice, with painkilling and stimulating properties. Furthermore, it is unlikely that you’ll experience side effects with this strain.
What Are the Side Effects of Kratom?
As with anything, abusing kratom can cause some unwanted side effects. These are generally mildly annoying, but some can be concerning and severe.
Common side effects are stomach issues like nausea and vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. These are the most straightforward side effects, and they generally mean you’ve taken more kratom than you should have. Avoid going over the recommended doses and always take kratom after a meal.
Physical side effects like high blood pressure, headaches, and heart palpitations do not have enough research to be linked to kratom, but you may experience them. Other contributing factors to these symptoms are dehydration, sleep deprivation, and other medicines.
Kratom helps with anxiety and depression, but it can also make these problems worse if misused.
Kratom-induced anxiety can happen for various reasons. The herb influences the adrenaline system and, by extension, could trigger your fight-or-flight response.
Depression is linked to dependency on kratom. If you feel you need kratom to be happy, we suggest seeking professional help.
Most side effects come with using too much kratom or using it too often. Since kratom is addictive and can cause other issues, take breaks from using it.
Types of Kratom Products
Kratom comes in different presentations, depending on how you prefer to take it. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. We’ll go over them to help you get a general feeling for each.
Kratom Powder
The most common form of kratom is powder. This is done by grinding the leaves, and you can buy a single ounce or a whole kilogram.
The best things about loose kratom powder:
- Price — although some brands can have high costs, other forms of kratom will always be more expensive for the amount you get.
- Convenience — taking your dose with a quick swallow of water can be done in less than five minutes and will act quicker than any other way.
- Precision — powder allows you to weigh each gram to ensure you never take too much.
- Selection — every strain available will be found in powder form, while not all are available in other presentations, especially with rare varieties.
The downsides of loose kratom powder:
- Taste — most people dislike the bitter, earthy flavor of kratom and find it challenging to take it with water.
- Indiscreetness — if you would rather avoid questions, swallowing an unfamiliar powder in front of other people will not give you that.
- Hard to take with you — not only is carrying powder around messy, but it can also ruin the properties of kratom.
As we said, kratom has a strong, bitter taste that most people dislike. We’ll go over some ways to take kratom that make the experience more accessible.
Prepare a Tea
Brewing a kratom tea won’t eliminate the unpleasant taste, but it will significantly improve it. Additionally, making and drinking a hot beverage can be a relaxing process that can help you get into a zen state of mind.
The best way to brew it is by heating water up to around 85°C — or 185°F — right before it boils. Then, you’ll steep the leaves in a tea bag for at least 10 minutes before removing them. You can add honey or any sweetener to make it less bitter.
Toss ‘N Wash Method
If you want a quick way to take your kratom and don’t mind the flavor, you can try the toss n wash method. This process consists of diluting the powder in a glass of water or simply throwing the dry powder into your mouth and following it with water.
Some kratom users swear by this method because it’s easy and effective. Still, you should be careful when doing this since breathing while swallowing can cause you to inhale the powder and irritate your lungs.
Parachute
Parachuting, or bombing, involves wrapping your dose of kratom on a thin paper and swallowing it like a capsule. This is similar to the toss and wash method, but you will avoid the taste since the kratom doesn’t touch your tongue.
Some people use toilet paper or something similar, but we recommend using edible wraps like rice paper. Utilizing a juice to wash it down can also help avoid the texture of the paper.
Remember to be careful while doing this since you could end up choking. Also, don’t go above half a teaspoon if you’re new to parachuting.
Kratom Capsules
Capsules are gelatin shells filled with kratom powder. They’re identical to regular pills and are great for beginners.
The best things about kratom capsules:
- Convenience and discreetness — tossing some capsules in your pocket is quicker than fumbling around with powder and a scale.
- Easy — if you’ve ever taken aspirin, you can take a kratom capsule. Introducing them into your life will be much simpler.
- No unpleasant taste — with capsules, you don’t have to worry about the earthy flavor of kratom.
- Microdosing — capsules can come with as little as 0.5 grams. This makes it easier to take mini doses.
The downsides of kratom capsules:
- Fewer options — not every vendor carries these, and it’s hard to find them for rare strains.
- Taking several capsules — if you want to take a moderate amount of 4 grams, you’ll have to swallow eight capsules in one sitting.
- Price — you will always find that capsules cost more than powder. For some people, the convenience is worth it, but for others, it might not.
Kratom Tinctures
Tinctures are concentrated extracts made with alcohol. The ethanol pulls the alkaloids from the leaves to create a potent kratom liquid.
The best things about kratom tinctures:
- Taste — the alcohol hides the bitter taste and makes it easier to pass it down.
- Potency — tinctures are more potent, and you can take as little as 1 mL for the desired effects.
- Portability — you can store your tincture in a dropper and take it anywhere. You don’t even need to mix it with something else.
The downsides of kratom tinctures:
- Dosage — knowing exactly how much you’re taking can be difficult.
- Price — these tend to be much more expensive than powders, though you can make your own.
Conclusion: Where to Buy Kratom in Santa Ana
Since kratom is unregulated in most of California and there are no current efforts to ban it, we believe kratom in Santa Ana will remain legal in the foreseeable future.
While you’ll be able to get kratom in physical stores in or near Santa Ana, we still suggest you give online vendors a try. They come with unique benefits that are good for your wallet and health.
We yet again recommend buying from reputable vendors like Kona Kratom, Star Kratom, and VIP Kratom.