Kratom is a plant with diverse medicinal effects. Whether it’s to help with withdrawal, depression, or anxiety, kratom is one more tool that nature gives us.
When compared to over-the-counter medications for the same conditions, we can safely say that it has fewer side effects than most of them.
Some states ban kratom; however, it is legal in Illinois if you’re over 18 and don’t live in one of the few places that have banned it.
This article will tell you all about kratom; we’ll let you know about its legality, its effects, the different strains, and much more.
Is Kratom Legal in Illinois?
Any Illinois citizen over 18 may legally purchase kratom, except those residing in Edwardsville, Jerseyville, and Alton.
The use of kratom is only illegal where prohibited.
This claim may sound redundant, but it is not; kratom hasn’t been expressly legalized but is not federally regulated.
Its use is permitted, that is true. But, unlike legal compounds, kratom doesn’t have to meet any quality or purity standards before it hits the shelves.
This point is a disadvantage for its users.
Deregulation is a legal gray area; legalization means more safety for the consumer.
Where to Buy Kratom in Illinois
You have two ways to get this plant, one safer, the other a bit riskier. Buying kratom online is the best option — and we’ll discuss that below — but it isn’t the only way.
You can also buy kratom in-store, but this will have several disadvantages.
In the next section, we’ll take a closer look at these two methods of purchasing kratom so that you can choose the right one for you.
1. Buying Kratom Online
Buying kratom from an online store will give you maximum discretion. You’ll receive the package at your doorstep without arousing suspicion.
In addition, the prices will be unbeatable since, in most cases, they are the producers and manufacturers of each product for sale. There’s also minimal overhead and no middleman raising prices.
As we’ll see later, when we talk about kratom, the breed you consume will make the difference, and you may have to try several until you find the right one. When purchasing from an online store, this won’t be a problem since they provide the widest variety.
Finally, an essential aspect to take into account when buying kratom is its purity. You can easily guarantee that you’re getting what you pay for. The most serious ones will have certificates from third-party laboratories and the American Kratom Association (AKA) to validate their products.
Here are a few brands worth checking out:
- Kona Kratom (best value for the money)
- Star Kratom (the fastest delivery, by far).
- VIP Kratom (the best premium option, quality is unmatched)
VIP Kratom
2. Buying Kratom In-Store
We have already mentioned the benefits of buying kratom online. If you still decide to go for the in-store option, searching for “kratom near me” on google will be enough to find several stores where you can get this plant.
We’re morally obliged to point out that this option has some drawbacks.
Buying kratom in-store, you’ll probably pay more for a potentially inferior product. The stores that offer it usually offer various herbal products and don’t give kratom the special attention it deserves.
In addition, since kratom is a deregulated product, no one will guarantee that these products contain what they state in their descriptions, and this is not a minor issue.
It is a sad reality that some vendors adulterate their kratom with potentially dangerous components to increase the potency.
With that said, below is a list of stores where you can purchase kratom in Illinois.
- Heavenly Cloudz (McHenry)
- CBD Kratom (Chicago)
- The Cave Smoke Shop (Fairview Heights)
- Peace Novelty (Rockford)
- Sam’s Tobacco & Vape (Oregon)
Find Kratom in Nearby Cities
Check out the following city guides to learn where to buy kratom in Illinois:
What To Look For When Buying Kratom
Breed, vendor popularity, color, and many more are the variables you’ll need to pay attention to when purchasing kratom.
Different types of kratom will cause different effects, running the gamut from a calming and soothing effect at higher doses to a caffeine-like stimulation at lower doses.
This section will focus on some of the most critical variables that you should pay attention to when choosing the right kratom for you.
1. Look For AKA Certification
The American Kratom Association (AKA) is a private organization that supports the cause of kratom by providing certifications and inclusion in AKA programs to vendors that meet their standards.
Once a year, vendors included in AKA’s programs undergo an audit by third-party labs to check if they still meet the requirements. If they don’t, the AKA removes them from the program.
2. Company Reputation
Although the AKA recommendation is a good indication, we should not be satisfied with that and should further check the quality of the kratom we’re buying.
We recommend you to do thorough research on the company you’re buying from and analyze what their consumers say.
To make this task easier for you, you can visit our vendor reviews page.
3. Strain Selection
When you enter the online store of one of our recommended vendors, you’ll find a catalog with different kratom strains available. The easiest way to categorize kratom is by the color of its vein, which will be apparent in the leaf, but not in the powder.
Red-veined kratom is the most sedative option. It can help with insomnia and pain thanks to its high content of 7-hydroxymitragynine, a mu-opioid agonist alkaloid responsible for its sedative effects.
When consuming red vein kratom, users naturally tend to choose higher doses, as these will go hand in hand with the expected effects of this kind of kratom. Lower amounts will be stimulating and improve focus and concentration.
White vein kratom has effects similar to coffee when consumed in low doses. Users who choose it are usually looking for improvements in concentration and mood and want a nootropic effect.
Finally, green vein kratom is in the middle of the two variants mentioned above. This category is the one that can present the most differences between one breed of kratom and another. You’ll find some more stimulating and others more sedative.
Most of them will be a middle ground but read the descriptions of these products carefully before purchasing them. You can get unwanted surprises if you look for a particular effect and buy green kratom that gives you the opposite.
What Are People Using Kratom For?
1. Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety and depression are two prevalent psychological conditions in our times. The medications used to treat these conditions often come with a long list of undesirable effects. Avoid adverse side effects while managing anxiety and depression by treating them with kratom.
Red vein strains will be the best for treating anxiety by providing calming effects at higher doses and reducing your brain activity.
If you suffer from depression, the mood boost that white strains will provide will come in handy. However, if you suffer from anxiety, this kind of kratom can make it worse, especially in low doses.
2. Pain Relief
If you’re looking for pain relief, the best choice is red vein kratom. The breeds included in this category will provide you with the right alkaloid profile to obtain the analgesic effects you need.
By interacting with opioid receptors, this class of kratom will allow you to relieve pain.
The dosage for analgesic effects is high, although this doesn’t mean that you should take as much as possible. When it comes to kratom, the key is to take as little as possible to achieve the desired effects.
3. Energy & Focus
Do you want to improve your energy and concentration?
Go with white kratom in low doses. These are by far the most stimulant kratom strains, and they’ll be the ones that provide the most nootropic effects.
A green strain that leans towards the stimulation side will also be a great choice. These strains are less likely to generate anxiety and stimulant effects as their alkaloid profiles are more balanced.
4. Opiate Withdrawal
Unfortunately, data on opioid use are not encouraging in the United States, but luckily, kratom can help to withdraw from opiates.
One factor that makes these drugs so dangerous is the severe withdrawal symptoms that occur upon cessation of use.
As mentioned above, kratom binds to opioid receptors, the same receptors that dangerous drugs like morphine and heroin interact with. This was one of the main arguments of the anti-kratom movement for a long time until science proved them wrong.
Today science recognizes that kratom can help ease withdrawal symptoms. Red strains in high doses will generate effects similar to those of these drugs, of course, with a fraction of the side effects.
Is Kratom Safe?
We could give you a blunt “yes” for an answer, but there’s more to it.
Kratom is a very safe plant if consumed responsibly, even much safer than pharmacy drugs consumed in a controlled manner.
However, in users who misuse it, kratom can present some side effects.
To avoid the risks present in kratom, we recommend consuming it no more than five times a week, in doses of less than five grams on average.
Side Effects of Kratom
Side effects of kratom occur only sporadically in some users. If used correctly, most won’t appear.
The side effects most commonly reported by users are:
- Brain fog
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Lethargy (mainly during comedown)
- Liver damage (with long-term use)
- Low blood pressure
- Vomiting and nausea
Under no circumstances should you consume kratom if you’re pregnant or under the influence of other drugs or alcohol.
What’s The Future of Kratom in Illinois
Kratom is not a recreational drug. Users who want to get high will go to the black market for heroin and other dangerous opiates.
Kratom is a medicinal plant. The scientific community knows it perfectly well, and the regulatory authorities know it too. Still, they cannot take it off their agenda and regret the several failed attempts to ban it.
However, this is a typical pattern when it comes to medicines whose function is not to line the pockets of pharmaceutical companies. We’re confident that its users, who take it as a medicine, will win this battle.
Now that you know about its benefits, you may want to try kratom.
If you do, start with a low dosage (no more than 4-5g for a sedative effect), and remember that you can’t go wrong with our trusted vendors, Kona Kratom, VIP Kratom, and Star Kratom.
