Kratom is an ancient Asian herb with considerable therapeutic potential, though many government regulators have sought to ban it for years.
In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about kratom in Canada, what you can use it for, what vendors to use, and how to buy it safely.
Is Kratom Legal In Canada?
Before 2021, there wasn’t regulation, let alone a ban on the use and purchase of kratom in Canada. Now, kratom is entirely legal (and regulated) in Canada.
In Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is the state agency that oversees the quality, safety, and impact of all regulated foods and medicines, both laboratory and natural. It currently governs the entire production of kratom products.
There are no mentions in the CFIA database for kratom. As per the requirements for any supplement or food product, all products must be registered with the CFIA before being sold online or in-store in Canada.
Related: Legal Status of Kratom by State & Country.
What Are People Using Kratom For?
There are many ways kratom can help, but let’s take a look at some of the most common uses of this plant.
1. Energy & Focus
If you need stimulation, focus, and concentration, you’ll most likely find them in white strains. Their high 7-hydroxymitragynine content will get you moving and boost your creativity and mood.
It’s important to remember that a lower dose means more stimulation. In this case, more is not better — you’ll end up lethargic.
2. Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety and depression are two of the most common disorders. Traditional medicines can certainly help, but many also carry many side effects and potential for addiction; drugs like benzodiazepines are typically prescribed for these conditions and are highly addictive.
Kratom may help manage anxiety and depression, though it’s not a cure.
For anxiety, red strains are the most effective due to the feelings of tranquility they provide. At the same time, due to their high stimulation, white strains are best for depression.
3. Opioid Withdrawal
Kratom helps treat opioid withdrawal symptoms, making the process easier and increasing the chance for success.
Withdrawal causes anxiety, excessive sweating, vomiting, and fever, among other symptoms. Kratom acts similarly to opioids but without being as addictive and can help reduce withdrawal symptoms considerably. Red strains are best for this.
4. Pain Relief
It’s well-known that kratom is an excellent analgesic. Why? Kratom is rich in mitragynine, an alkaloid with a high affinity for opioid receptors, which act as gateways for pain.
Still, we do not recommend replacing medical consultation with kratom. Find the source of the pain before covering it up. If you have a diagnosis and need help managing the pain, red vein kratom can help.
How to Take Kratom
The most common way to consume kratom powder is with water or other juices, though you can also buy capsules.
It’s either mixed in like a tea or by the “toss and wash” method, which consists of putting the kratom in your mouth and then quickly swallowing it with a liquid. Because it’s so bitter, a sweet drink is best.
In other places where the plant grows naturally, it is far more common for people to chew the leaves.
Kratom Dose
The dose varies from person to person and depends on what you hope to achieve.
- Low dose: 1-3g
- Medium dose: 3-5g
- High dose: 5-8g
We advise you to start with a low dose and increase from there, according to your needs.
Is Kratom Safe?
Kratom is safe when used responsibly. If you misuse it, though, you might face unwanted or unexpected effects.
To maintain a healthy dosage over an extended period, you should take kratom as infrequently as possible. If you do it too often, you’ll build a tolerance, which means you’ll need to take more kratom to get the same effects.
The risk of suffering adverse effects increases with higher doses or frequency, so start low and use it as little as possible.
Side Effects of Kratom
Kratom’s side effects are not fun, but they’re relatively minor. The good news is that you’ll avoid most of them by consuming it responsibly. But, this is not a particular feature of kratom; you’ll suffer from side effects if you abuse any active substance.
Some common adverse effects of kratom are:
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Lethargy
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Kratom is not recommended for pregnant women or mixed with alcoholic beverages.
What to Look for When Buying Kratom
1. Lab Tests
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for certifying each kratom product in Canada. Make sure you’re dealing with a CFIA-approved vendor. If not, just move on to another vendor. It’s unwise to consume kratom without being sure of its contents — too many dishonest vendors sell adulterated or unsafe kratom.
2. Company Reputation
The reputation of a company tells you a lot about its products. A brand can have a powerful voice, lab tests, and so on, but a history of negative customer reviews tells you something is amiss.
It’s important to search multiple sites to get a well-rounded picture. Many kratom sites even have a vendor reviews page.
3. Strain Selection
Finally, you need to make sure your supplier has a good selection of kratom strains to suit all your needs. Different strains of kratom have significantly different effects. There are many varieties available, but it’s easiest to classify them by leaf vein color: red, white, and green.
White vein kratom is the most stimulating category of strains. Strains that fall into this group have high levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine, a serotonergic alkaloid responsible for the energy rush.
On the other hand, red vein kratom is the sedative option. These strains are high in mitragynine, an alkaloid that interacts with opioid receptors, making this strain ideal as an analgesic and anxiolytic.
Finally, green vein kratom is the most balanced strain. The alkaloid profile of these strains is even, allowing them to cover a broad spectrum of uses. As a result, green kratom is ideal for treating various ailments.
Knowing the different strains helps you choose which one is best for your needs!
Where to Buy Kratom In Canada
If you want to get kratom in Canada, this won’t take too much effort. You have both the option to buy online or in-store, but the former option is superior.
Online vendors are more discreet, have better prices, and have a greater selection of products. They’re also more likely to have the appropriate testing done.
That said, you can also buy kratom in-store in Canada, even though it’s a sub-optimal option.
Kratom Stores In Canada:
- Utopia — Montreal
- Kratom King Canada — Lantzville
- Glass Roots Smoke Shop — Vancouver
- The Vapory — Vancouver
- Québec Vape Ste-Foy — Québec
- Cannabis Emporium — Ottawa
- Herbie’s Herb Co — Toronto
Find Kratom Near You
Learn more about buying kratom in each province in Canada with these guides:
What’s the Future of Kratom In Canada?
There are many benefits to kratom, and the Canadian kratom community continues to grow and remains united in defending the rights of consumers, businesses, and producers of the herb.
We believe the future of kratom in Canada will remain positive if authorities continue to listen to the people who need the benefits of this plant.
