Kratom, also known by its scientific name Mitragyna speciosa, is an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. The extract from its leaves has been used as medicine for centuries. It is commonly used to alleviate chronic pains, headaches, anxiety, and insomnia.
While it’s been known in Southeast Asia for a long time, it only recently became popular in North America. It’s a great alternative to opiates, as it has potent analgesic effects and much less risk of addiction or side effects.
This article will delve into kratom’s legal status in British Columbia, Canada. We’ll also cover physical stores where you can buy kratom near you and online sellers that ship to the province.
Is Kratom Legal in British Columbia?
Yes, kratom is legal in the whole territory of British Columbia.
Kratom has been perfectly legal to buy and sell in Canada since 2021. Despite Health Canada seizing some products containing kratom, the herb was legalized and is currently a regulated substance.
However, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency does not refer to kratom in its regulations. This means that kratom is legal to buy and sell, but you will not find it labeled a product for human consumption.
Health Canada has it labeled as for “scientific research,” and you may see it sold as an ingredient to manufacture soap or other scented products.
Will British Columbia Ban Kratom?
With its increasing popularity and proven benefits, it is unlikely that British Columbia will ban kratom. After all, there is no evidence of kratom being unsafe. The World Health Association recently stated kratom is safe after a lengthy review. However, the herb is still not legal to sell or advertise as a product intended for human consumption.
However, nothing is set in stone, and we can’t be entirely sure that current laws will remain the same. If you support kratom and would like it to stay legal, you can help by using it responsibly to help reduce the misinformation that currently surrounds it.
Also, stay updated with your local legislation if a proposal to ban kratom is presented. You can contact the Canada Kratom Association for assistance and information on the future of kratom laws.
Why Do Some States & Cities Ban Kratom?
Kratom has effects that are very similar to opioids. For this reason, it is commonly believed to be an opioid. Because of the recent opioid addiction epidemic spread in North America, many people feel that it would be irresponsible to allow a similar product on their local market.
However, kratom has been proven to have significantly fewer side effects and is much less addictive than opiates. In fact, its users are constantly asking for more research to clear up the misconceptions.
Top 4 Kratom Shops in British Columbia
Finding a trustable kratom seller can take some time. Maybe you’re still unsure where to purchase your kratom or are only starting and don’t know where it’s sold. This is why we’ve listed, in no particular order, eight of the best stores where you can buy kratom in British Columbia.
1. Puff Pipes
This store has four locations in Vancouver and has an outstanding reputation as a seller of high-quality products. While mostly they have glassware and pipes, you will find all types of vaping and smoking products, including kratom.
You can find them in uptown Vancouver at 3255 Main St. You may also visit their website for more information. You can also contact them by emailing puffpipes@gmail.com or calling (877) 420-7833.
2. Gaia Garden Herbals
This store specializes in botanical health products. They offer many herbal medicines, including kratom, and their customers’ reviews all coincide that their staff is knowledgeable and helpful.
You can find them at 2672 Broadway W, Vancouver. For further inquiries, we suggest you call them at (604) 734-4372. They also have a website and are also active on Facebook and Instagram.
3. Sinn & Sativa
This store is considered one of Vancouver’s best local places to buy kratom. They carry many different strains and a significant amount of other products. They also have a shop in New Westminster.
Their main store is located at 931 Commercial Dr, Vancouver. Visit their Facebook page, or call them at (604) 517-4587.
4. Pineapple Express Dispensary
This store opened as a cannabis dispensary but soon expanded to many other herbal products and currently also offers very good quality kratom. They have excellent reviews, with customers praising their prices and product selection.
They’re located at 608 Esquimalt Rd, Victoria. You can call them at (778) 265-5250. Alternatively, you can visit their Facebook or Instagram profiles.
Find Kratom Near You
Learn more about buying kratom in each province in Canada with these guides:
Why You Should Buy Kratom Online
Online shopping has become the best option for many products in recent times. Kratom is no exception to this. Many rare strains are only available through online sellers, and they usually have better deals and offers than physical stores.
Furthermore, quality tends to be greater than what you get in a typical brick-and-mortar store, as reputable online sellers usually source their products from their native land.
Another fantastic advantage online shopping provides is that you can check reviews and third-party lab tests before buying. Consequently, you are more likely to have a satisfying experience.
As if it wasn’t enough, buying through the internet is also tremendously convenient. With only a few clicks of your mouse, you’ll get the best kratom in your area delivered right to your doorstep. You’ll even save costs on car fuel.
Further below, you’ll find a list of the best online vendors that ship to British Columbia.
Is Buying Kratom In-Store Safe?
Yes, buying kratom in-store is usually safe, though online shopping is safer.
In Canada, kratom is still a small market. This is different from the US, where you can find it in hundreds of stores — only a few will carry it here. For this reason, the price may not be entirely accessible, and you may only find the most popular strains available.
British Columbia is possibly the place in Canada where kratom is most popular. Stores that sell it here comply with local regulations, and it’s perfectly safe to buy from them. However, better prices, quality, and much more variety are found in online sellers.
Kratom Vendors That Ship to British Columbia
We have already listed some local stores where you can purchase kratom. However, you may want to get a specific strain or consider other options.
Below you’ll find a list of our top online kratom vendors that ship to your area. They offer a vast selection and provide fantastic deals and affordable prices.
1. Kona Kratom
Kona Kratom
At the top of our list is Kona Kratom. Third-party labs test all their products, and you can consult their results before purchasing. They are in contact with farms in Southeast Asia and are always looking for the best, most potent leaves, providing the best quality possible.
Their most sold kratom strains include Green Malay, Red Maeng Da, and Red Dragon. They’re perfect for anyone looking to try something new and, at the same time, make sure they are buying a high-quality product.
2. Golden Monk
Golden Monk Kratom
Golden Monk sells high-quality kratom at affordable prices, and while their test results are public, their customers’ reviews all praise the quality of their product.
This seller is distinguished by the discreet packages they deliver their products in. They are inconspicuous-looking and completely unmarked, which is excellent if you prefer no one to know about your transactions.
They offer both kratom powder and capsules. In addition, their best-selling strains are Red Bali, Green Maeng Da, and Green Malay. You may even find some rare, exotic varieties on their online menu.
3. Gaia Kratom
Gaia (Mitragaia) Kratom
Gaia Kratom, also known as Mitragaia, has sold kratom for over five years. They offer several exotic varieties and sell kratom extracts, which are more potent than powder.
Some of their best kratom strains include Green Batak, Red Brunei, and White JongKong. They also offer blends of different varieties and capsules, so they’re an excellent choice for buying regardless of what strain you prefer.
4. Happy Hippo Herbals
Happy Hippo
Despite their website’s cartoonish design, Happy Hippo Herbals has a serious reputation for selling good-quality kratom. They even help advocate for its legality and ensure its availability to all who require it.
All their kratom goes through thorough sterilization and testing. You’ll find Green Maeng Da, White Horn, and Red Maeng Da among their best-selling varieties.
Which Kratom Strain Should I Use?
Several varieties of kratom exist, all with different effects. Some will make you more energetic, and others will help you sleep or relax. It’s crucial to be informed about each strain before deciding which one is best for you.
Green Vein Kratom Powder
The green vein kratom powder is the most balanced type of kratom. It provides relaxation and helps ease pain, but it also gives you energy and helps with socializing. This is the most common kratom strain and, for this reason, tends to be the less expensive.
These are some of the best-known green-veined strains:
Green Malay
Green Malay is one of the most famous varieties, and you’ll probably find it on most sellers’ menus. It is very potent compared to other green-veined strains and provides a powerful pain-relieving effect while granting you a significant energy boost.
Green Thai
Green Thai can be considered a “superstrain.” It covers everything you’ll need from kratom. Lower doses will give you energy and help you socialize, while higher doses will induce relaxation and ease any pain you may have.
Green Sumatra
Green Sumatra is great for enhancing productivity and uplifting your mood. It’s also beneficial to combat anxiety, mostly in lower doses. The energy surplus it provides can
create problems sleeping, so keep this in mind if you prefer kratom with more relaxing effects.
Red Vein Kratom Powder
Red vein kratom powder gets its name from the bright red color present in the original leaves. It’s known for its analgesic and relaxing effects. People who prefer this strain typically use it to fall asleep or alleviate chronic pains.
These are three of the best-rated red-veined strains:
Red Bali
Red Bali is perhaps the most popular of all the red-veined strains. It’s commonly used to alleviate chronic pain or induce sleep, as it has strong sedative effects, particularly in high doses. It usually provides an energy boost in lower doses and acts as a mood enhancer.
Red Horn
Red Horn is a rare variety that only grows in Borneo. Because of its rarity, it’s not commonly available, and some vendors may sell it at higher prices. It’s not notably more potent than other red-veined variants, but its effects as a painkiller are remarkable.
Red Borneo
Red Borneo will uplift your mood and keep you awake at lower doses, like other red-veined strains. It also has a powerful sedative effect at higher doses, which helps relieve anxiety. It can help you unwind after a long, tedious day.
White Vein Kratom Powder
White vein kratom powder is the strain that works best as an energy booster. It will help you stay awake and focused and also provides mood enhancements. It helps improve concentration and provides endurance for long activities.
These are three of the best white-veined strains:
White Thai
The main benefit of the White Thai strain is the energy boost it provides. It will help you stay alert and focused, but at the same time, relaxed. This strain can be a solid replacement for coffee or any energetic beverage.
White Sumatra
The two main benefits of this strain are its powerful stimulating and relaxing effects. Small amounts of White Sumatra will lift your energy, and higher doses will help you sleep.
White Indo
White Indo is a prevalent strain remarkable for its potency as a painkiller while also capable of boosting your energy and enhancing your mood. Natives traditionally used it to endure long days of physical work.
How Long Does Kratom Take To Work?
The amount of time it takes for kratom to kick in can be affected by many variables. On average, the effects usually start around 20-30 minutes after the ingestion and reach their peak after about two hours.
Slow digestion or taking kratom after eating big meals will increase the time it takes to be absorbed and delay its effects. Moreover, kratom can work faster if you take it in its powder form on an empty stomach.
You must also keep in mind that it is possible to develop a tolerance to kratom. If used regularly, you will not feel the same potency, and it will take longer to perceive the effects.
How to Store Kratom
Kratom degrades reasonably quickly unless you store it correctly. On average, its freshness lasts for about three months from harvest. However, if stored properly, you can make it last up to one year.
Make sure kratom remains dry, and keep it inside an airtight container. This is because oxygen will accelerate its degradation. Sunlight is also harmful, so make sure you keep it in a dark, cool place, like a kitchen cabinet or a drawer.
Finally, make sure to store it in places where the temperature will remain constant. You don’t want kratom exposed to too much heat or in areas where it’ll freeze overnight.
Is Kratom Considered a Drug?
Even though it’s clear that kratom affects the human nervous system, you can say the same thing of other substances that are not typically considered drugs, like caffeine. Furthermore, kratom is currently not listed in Canada’s Drug Products Database.
This means that at the moment, at least legally, kratom is not considered a drug.
However, keep in mind that it was not labeled safe for human consumption yet, at least not in Canada. Also, similar to coffee and other substances, you will find reports of kratom labeled as a drug because of its effects on human organisms.
Conclusion: Where to Buy Kratom in British Columbia
In British Columbia, kratom is perfectly legal for you to purchase, and you will find it in many smoke and vaping shops.
You may see it labeled as “not for human consumption,” but this doesn’t mean it’s unsafe. It’s just that the country’s health authorities have not run enough tests yet for it to be sold as a supplement.
Its popularity is increasing, and it is possible you’ll start seeing kratom being sold in more local stores soon, but for now, the best option is to purchase it online. This will assure you a better price and much better quality.
Stores like Kona Kratom have vast experience and guarantee you’ll receive the best quality product.
