Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a medicinal tree native to Southeast Asia and a close relative to coffee. There, it’s a staple in traditional medicine — locals have been chewing its leaves for centuries to obtain energy, pain relief, and numerous other benefits.
The herb is getting increasingly popular in the United States due to its relaxing and stimulating effects. This article will cover its legal status in Ann Arbor and throughout Michigan. Plus, we’ll discuss its different strains and show vendors selling it near you.
Is Kratom Legal in Ann Arbor?
Yes, kratom is legal in Ann Arbor and throughout Michigan.
Despite many efforts to ban it, the state doesn’t currently regulate the herb.
In 2014, HB 5707 sought to place kratom on the state’s controlled substances list. However, a petition with over 1,700 signatures helped keep kratom legal in Michigan. Later that year, bill HB 5736 intended to place age restrictions on the herb, yet it never passed.
In 2018, a fierce smear campaign threatened kratom’s legality in the state, wrongfully linking deaths to its use. However, these deaths were proven unrelated to the herb.
Even so, a Republican senator introduced SB 0433 in 2019 to propose labeling kratom as a Schedule II drug, which meant users would need a doctor’s prescription to purchase it. Yet again, users rallied against this bill, and it failed to pass as a result.
Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) reviewed kratom recently, concluding the herb does not pose a health threat. This ruling could help reverse its legal status in states or cities that banned it.
Traveling With Kratom
Traveling with kratom in the US is legal, except in states or cities that ban it. Still, it could get you into trouble, as many people are unfamiliar with the herb.
If you decide to travel with kratom, doing it in small amounts and keeping it in its original packaging should be enough to avoid suspicion. Even so, we discourage traveling with kratom, especially if your final destination has specific laws against the herb.
Top 3 Kratom Shops in Ann Arbor
Kratom is very popular in Michigan, and Ann Arbor is no exception. Local smoke shops and many other stores are packed with powder, capsules, and tinctures from various brands. Here’s a list of the best three local shops where you can buy kratom in Ann Arbor.
1. Wild Side Smoke Shop
This store has the best variety in the area. You’ll find capsules, powders, or liquid kratom on their shelves, from brands like OPMS, Captain LA, Island Kratom, and many more. Red Maeng Da, Green Borneo, and Bali Gold are their most popular strains.
The store is located at 209 E Liberty St, and they are open daily from 9 am to 12 pm. You can call them at (734) 369-6489. They also have a Facebook page, but it’s a bit outdated.
2. Vape World
This store also offers an incredible assortment of kratom products. You will find rare strains and blends here, such as Kalamantan Sapphire, Premium Maeng Da, or Hello Vietnam.
To find excellent kratom at reasonable prices, stop by 3018 Packard St from 10 am to 9 pm from Monday to Saturday. If you want to contact them, call them at (734) 585-0175, send them an e-mail, or check their website.
3. Bongz & Thongz
This shop is jam-packed with quality kratom products, like the Black Liquid extract from OPMS, and strains like Premium Maeng Da, Red Borneo, or Bali Gold. Also, they are available in capsules or powder form and in regular or bulk sizes.
This famous vape shop is located at 119 E Liberty St, where they open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. You can reach them at (734) 585-5613, and they will gladly answer your questions. If you prefer, you can also check their updated Instagram profile.
Find Kratom in Nearby Cities
Learn more about buying kratom in Michigan with these city guides:
Why You Should Buy Kratom Online
Although physical stores aren’t a bad choice per se, buying kratom online is a much safer deal for several reasons. For example, ordering your favorite product with a couple of clicks is much easier than personally scanning your local smoke shops.
Moreover, it tends to be a more affordable experience since physical shops have overhead costs that drive up the prices. Conversely, most online vendors offer free shipping throughout the US, making it even more ideal if you live in a remote area.
Buying online typically ensures a better quality product since physical stores usually don’t store it correctly, further degrading it. You’ll also have access to a broader selection of strains and forms.
Last — but most importantly — researching reviews and verifying that the product is adequately tested beforehand is simple. Not only is this crucial to getting your money’s worth, but your health will also thank you.
Kratom Vendors That Ship to Ann Arbor
Many kratom vendors also offer their products online, but since the herb remains unregulated in the state, you need to be extra careful.
The American Kratom Association (AKA) closely monitors online vendors and their items, and the following list contains the best ones.
1. Kona Kratom
Kona Kratom
Kona Kratom earned the top spot on our list because they offer top-notch quality kratom at the most competitive prices on the market. In their catalog, various strains are available in capsule and powder form.
Furthermore, all of their items are duly tested in third-party laboratories. In addition, this vendor has countless positive reviews from online users.
They are also very transparent with their kratom sources and know every product to the tee, so you will know exactly what you’re buying.
2. Star Kratom
Star Kratom
Star Kratom stands out for offering the fastest shipping times and manages to do so despite being a newer name in the industry. They typically ship packages the same day they’re ordered, so you receive your order fast.
They thoroughly test all of their products, and you can tell from the outstanding quality of their powders and capsules. Even so, their prices are still affordable but keep in mind they have fewer strains available than other vendors.
3. VIP Kratom
VIP Kratom
As its name suggests, VIP Kratom is the ideal brand for the most selective users. They offer a wide variety of strains in both capsule and powder forms. Even though their prices are somewhat high, they are reasonable considering their supreme quality and potency.
Consequently, their products will last longer than other brands, and you’ll need to be extra careful with your dosage. Lastly, all their products undergo rigorous testing and come with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee — if you’re not convinced, you’ll get a refund.
4. Golden Monk
Golden Monk Kratom
Golden Monk is a valued brand in the market, and they are a member of the AKA’s Good Manufacturing Practices program. They have an extensive catalog of strains, both in powder and capsules. As a bonus, their packaging is very discreet.
This vendor regularly offers discounts and deals, including free shipping and samples with larger orders. Plus, all of their products are thoroughly tested for purity and potency.
5. Happy Hippo Herbals
Happy Hippo
Despite the flashy design of their website, Happy Hippo Herbals is a reliable vendor, and they sell premium quality kratom. Their catalog stocks various strains in powder, capsule, and extract forms. Plus, they also sell other herbal products.
Unfortunately, their prices are high, but it’s only due to their products undergoing such thorough testing. Still, they reward it with potency and provide lab results upon e-mail request.
Which Kratom Strain Should I Use?
Kratom expresses its genes in over 50 known ways, and we call these varieties “strains.” Each strain contains different levels and combinations of alkaloids, resulting in varied effects. The simplest way to arrange them is according to the color of their leaf’s veins.
Green Vein Kratom Powder
Green vein kratom powder is the most versatile variety, having mixed effects between the stimulation of the white strains and relaxation of the red ones. These strains are also very popular and sought-after, therefore more affordable and available.
The top-rated green vein kratom strains are:
- Green Borneo: This is a potent strain for anxiety relief while also being energizing and nootropic.
- Green Thai: It is a versatile variety that can boost your energy and mood in low doses or provide pain relief and relaxation in higher amounts.
- Green Sumatra: This is an ideal strain if you’re looking for mood enhancement or stimulation.
Red Vein Kratom Powder
Red vein kratom powder contains high amounts of 7-hydroxymitragynine, an alkaloid agonist of the mu-opioid system. As a result, these varieties offer relaxing and analgesic effects and can even be beneficial for coping with opioid withdrawal symptoms.
The top-rated red vein kratom strains are:
- Red Thai: This strain is particularly efficient for managing withdrawal symptoms, anxiety relief, and overcoming stress.
- Red Sumatra: Its strong point is anxiety relief, but this variety promotes relaxation and is an excellent painkiller.
- Red Borneo: This is an incredible strain for winding down while also helping improve sleep patterns.
White Vein Kratom Powder
Conversely, white vein kratom powder contains higher levels of mitragynine, a powerful alkaloid that stimulates serotonin receptors and the opioid system. Therefore, it elicits cognition and concentration while promoting euphoria and increasing energy levels.
The top-rated white vein kratom strains are:
- White Borneo: This stimulating strain enhances your focus and boosts your energy.
- White Sumatra: This variety is as effective in providing energy at low doses as it promotes relaxation at higher doses.
- White Indo: This strain is primarily stimulant and mood-enhancing, although higher doses promote relaxation and pain relief.
Conclusion: Where to Buy Kratom in Ann Arbor
Currently, kratom is popular and widely available in Ann Arbor, but it remains unregulated in Michigan. This means that while you can freely purchase and use it, you could come across untested products from fraudulent vendors.
We strongly suggest buying your kratom supply online from reliable vendors like Kona Kratom, VIP Kratom, and Star Kratom. This way, you can enjoy top-notch kratom at affordable prices, adequately tested, and with all the perks only online shopping provides.
