Is Kratom Legal in Mexico?

Written by Marcel Deer
Last Updated 2 years ago

Marcel Deer

Natural Health Journalist

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a relative to the coffee family, and interestingly, kratom can produce effects similar to caffeine in small doses. This tropical evergreen tree has been growing bountiful in Southeast Asia for centuries.

The kratom you buy online can likely be traced back to various Southeast Asian countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Many natives to these countries have been using kratom for centuries to combat illness and promote health and wellbeing.

Now, it’s popular worldwide — at least where it’s legal.

So what about kratom’s legality in Mexico? Let’s get right into it.

Kratom Legality In Mexico & Elsewhere

Yes, kratom is legal in Mexico. Fortunately, you can enjoy kratom whether you’re visiting or local. Mexican authorities have never really given kratom much attention, as there are many more things higher on the priority list at the moment.

Right now, kratom is treated similarly in Mexico as it is in the United States: unregulated. Consumers can purchase kratom products in stores and online. This means that you can buy, sell, possess, and use kratom without legal consequences. It also indicates that traveling inside  Mexico with kratom products should not be a problem.

With so many people seeking out kratom for its many medicinal benefits, brands and vendors within Mexico are increasing. This high demand contributes to the economy, which should be an incentive for Mexican authorities to ensure that kratom remains legal and available to their people.

However, heightened interest in the plant tends to spark concern and can lead to potential bans or laws in the future. Since that hasn’t happened yet, you can enjoy kratom whenever you like in Mexico.

Many other countries have banned kratom, including the countries it’s native to. Kratom was illegal in Thailand for a long time until it reversed the laws in 2018.

Indonesia plans to ban it, which would greatly upset the market since a large percentage of the world’s kratom comes from there.

The WHO, Kratom, & Future Legislation

There’s a spark of hope, however.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reviewed kratom and found it to be safe with no need for controlling it.

Hopefully, world governments will consider this recommendation and ease up on their attacks on kratom.

Many tend to follow the WHO’s suggestions when it comes to drugs.

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

Can I Buy Kratom In Mexico?

Yes, many stores sell kratom, and you can buy kratom online in Mexico. 

If you live in Mexico or travel to the country, kratom is readily available. So there is no need to worry. Some say the situation can be compared to America, where kratom can be found in gas stations, smoke shops, etc.

These places are not generally good places to buy kratom since the products are untested and can contain contaminants.

If you find yourself in a situation where you have to shop locally, be sure to purchase the product from a reliable and trusted source. Some cheaper, more generic options available at gas stations may not be the highest quality or the safest kratom to consume.

Going with online vendors gives you access to reviews, both for the company itself and the products. It also gives you options to speak with customer representatives if something is wrong with your product. If quality and safety are at the top of your list, you may want to buy from a reputable online vendor.

Why is Kratom Banned in Other Countries?

While it’s not banned in this particular country, it is prohibited in many others. We’ve got some insight into why some countries don’t want to deal with the plant.

First of all, kratom induces some degree of psychoactive effects and acts similarly to opioids.

Because of that, kratom also carries the risk of addiction. Many countries feel that they are doing their populace a favor by saying “no” to the plant altogether, usually due to a lack of knowledge.

Anything that poses an addiction risk will throw a red flag to lawmakers; this is why we see so many other countries (not Mexico) banning kratom.

Another major factor is due to their pharmaceutical companies losing revenue. Kratom is a natural alternative to painkillers and helps people break their opioid addiction. This translates to fewer opioids, fewer health problems, and less need for the medical system.

There have been cases where individuals overdose and kratom was found in their systems. Governments will use this to claim kratom is dangerous, but they’re not telling the whole truth. There were also other drugs in almost every case where kratom was present (often opioids).

Fortunately, Mexican authorities haven’t started questioning kratom yet. Whether or not they will challenge it in the future, only time will tell.

Given the current situation, along with more vendors contributing to the Mexican economy, kratom may stay legal for quite some time.

If you live in Mexico, consider yourself lucky because you live in one country that has not banned kratom! Order some online or go pick some up at a smoke shop, and enjoy!

Kratom Use: A Quick History

Kratom became popular in the United States because opioids were (and still are) an issue, and people were looking for new ways to manage their pain. The goal was natural, safer alternatives. Kratom was able to help individuals struggling with physical pain without the serious health consequences that are associated with opioids.

Globally, there is a rampant opioid crisis. Mexico isn’t necessarily an exception either [1]. Individuals across the map abuse prescribed opioids and street drugs like heroin. Many of these people have turned to kratom for assistance in helping them kick their bad habits.

This may be one of the top reasons kratom is so popular today. Kratom helps many people overcome their addictions by assisting them in navigating through their opiate withdrawals. It also helps manage physical pain, boosts concentration and focus, and offers various other benefits.

Hundreds of years ago, kratom was commonly used by farmers and field workers in Southeast Asia. They would chew the leaves to help them be more productive by giving them an extra energy boost by relieving physical pain and tension. It was also used by natives in various cultural and religious ceremonies.

Whether you’re chewing leaves to give you an uplifting buzz, or you want to take some capsules to help control your physical aches and pains, kratom is going to offer a helping hand. 

Known Side Effects Of Kratom

Most people handle kratom relatively well, and you won’t have to worry about experiencing extreme side effects if you’re using it responsibly.

Individuals who are just starting may also experience more side effects.

The most common known side effects of kratom are as follows:

  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Sedation, extreme fatigue, and lethargy
  • Dizziness
  • Jitteriness

Another potential side effect of using kratom is addiction. However, if you’re using kratom properly and not abusing it, you won’t have to worry about developing a dependency. If you know the signs of addiction, you can take the necessary steps to avoid it.

Opioids usually cause respiratory failure; kratom doesn’t. So while increasing your dose of kratom may push you towards addiction and physical dependency, it’s not going to cause you to stop breathing or overdose.

Kratom Deaths: Can Kratom be Fatal?

Using this botanical will not produce lethal effects unless you are abusing it.

There haven’t been studies or reports indicating that kratom was the cause of death. Almost every overdose case involving kratom was when other substances were also at play.

Mixing kratom with other substances can have dangerous consequences, and taking exceedingly large doses every day could eventually damage your liver.

What is the Correct Dosage for Kratom?

The dose you take depends on body weight, strain, whether or not you’ve eaten, if you’ve done it before, and more.

Beginners should start with a small dose, as taking too much can cause unwanted side effects like vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and headaches.

In general, the standard dosage is as follows:

  • Microdose: Less than 2 g
  • Small dose: 2-5 g
  • Medium dose: 5-8 g
  • Large dose: 8-12 g

If you are a larger individual, you may need a slightly larger dose to get you where you need to be. If you’re smaller, you may not need as much. The best way to decide what amount works best for you is to start small and slowly increase if required.

Ingesting kratom on an empty stomach can produce some pretty potent effects, so if you’ve got a sensitive stomach or want to err on the side of caution, you may want to eat something small beforehand. Take your kratom on an empty stomach if you want strong, in-your-face effects. Just know that it may cause some nausea.

Taking a small dose of kratom will offer some uplifting, positive, energizing effects. Whereas taking a large amount will produce heavier, more relaxing, sedating effects.

The best thing to do is start with a small dose and see how it affects you. That will give you an idea of whether or not you’ll want to take more next time.

Also see: How Long Should I Wait Between Kratom Doses?

How to Take Kratom Safely

We emphasize the importance of responsible use, but what does that look like?

  1. Don’t mix kratom with other substances, including drugs and alcohol, especially opioids. This is where individuals experience the worst side effects, as kratom can interact with many substances.
  2. Don’t use kratom every day or take massive doses — this will eventually leave you with a high tolerance — probably sooner than later. Put your kratom away, give your body 3-4 days to recover. Then try your regular dose again once your tolerance break is over.
  3. Only buy kratom from a reputable vendor. Online companies are best — it’s easier to see third-party test results, customer reviews, and other pertinent information. Too many companies don’t bother checking the purity of the kratom they sell. Some go so far as to add chemicals that make it seem more potent.

Safely Consuming Kratom

One of the more common ways to take kratom is to brew it into tea. However, this tea can be harsh and bitter in flavor, so many people opt for the following ingestion method instead.

Capsules are another great way to take your dose of kratom. It takes most of the work out of it, providing you with a precise amount of kratom that you can pop in your bag and take along with you. It’s also discreet and cuts back a bit on waste, but it usually costs more.

Mixing loose powder into beverages or water is another way people tend to take their kratom. If you combine the powder into a drink, you’ll want to choose something with a strong flavor to mask the taste of the powder. Something like orange or grapefruit juice would work well. When it comes to water, individuals typically prefer adding the powder to the glass and gulping it down to avoid the taste.

More modern methods include enhanced powders and tinctures. These are highly potent, concentrated forms of kratom. This means they are a bit pricey, but you won’t need to take nearly as much to get the results you were looking for. Dosing guidelines for these products are completely different, so make sure you do your research beforehand.

Key Takeaways: Is Kratom Legal In Mexico?

Kratom is legal in Mexico.

Luckily, residents of Mexico will be able to enjoy kratom without any legal repercussions as of now. You can find kratom in shops scattered throughout Mexico, but ordering your kratom products online is safer. If you’re traveling to Mexico, there shouldn’t be any issues bringing your favorite products.

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