Where to Buy Kratom in Grand Rapids

Written by Johan Hansen
Last Updated 2 years ago

Johan Hansen

Ex-Kratom Shop Owner

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an herb that comes from a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. People use it mainly for medicinal purposes worldwide and in the United States, where it’s legal in all but six states.

Michigan isn’t among them, and the herb is readily available in Grand Rapids. In this article, we’ll explore the extent of its legality and where to find the best kratom near you. In addition, you’ll discover its benefits along with a safe way to acquire it.

Is Kratom Legal in Grand Rapids?

Yes, kratom is legal in Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan.

At this time, Michigan has no laws or regulations regarding kratom’s production, distribution, or use. Nevertheless, the state has witnessed several attempts to limit or outright ban this substance. Some US states have banned kratom, while others have passed laws to regulate it.

The first attempt occurred in 2014, when a government official introduced bill MI HB5707, intending to put the herb on the Controlled Substances list. That same year, bill MI HB5736 tried to ban its sale for underage people. Both attempts failed in committee.

A further attempt at legislation was bill MI SB0433, which would have classified kratom as a Schedule II substance, forcing all users to require a prescription to obtain it. Fortunately, the bill died shortly after its introduction.

Instead, the WHO issued a report stating the herb wasn’t dangerous and dismissed the necessity of a critical review. While the WHO has said they’ll keep tabs on kratom, this assessment essentially cleared all fears of a worldwide ban.

Top 6 Kratom Shops in Grand Rapids

The West Michigan area is full of kratom shops, and Grand Rapids is no exception. Just by doing a quick search, the number would overwhelm you. We wanted to save you this hassle, so we compiled a list of kratom businesses in this city, all backed by good reviews.

1. West Side Smoke Shop

When they depart, all consumers agree on one thing: this shop’s product selection has impressed them. You can find anything here, from tobacco to CBD and, of course, kratom. However, they only sell to people older than 21 years old.

This business opens at 712 Bridge St NW, and you can contact them at (616) 458-8669. Other means of contact are their website and Facebook page, but we advise you not to use the latter as it hasn’t seen much action in a while.

2. Grand Rapids Botanicals Kratom

This shop is relatively new, but it quickly established itself as one of the finest local businesses. Offering over 40 kratom strains, it excels in customer support and transparency, being one the only shops in the city doing regular lab tests. Best of all, their prices are reasonably affordable.

You can find it at 2919 Breton Rd SE Suite A, and its phone number is (616) 888-2160. It also has a website where you can purchase from the comfort of your home.

3. GR Cloud Smoke Shop

According to customer reviews, this shop has one of the most diverse product selections. You can rely on them for everything, whether it’s E-cigs, glass, vaporizers, or kratom. Their prices aren’t the cheapest, though.

You’ll find them at 2035 28th St SE Suite K, but if you want, you can give them a call at (616) 248-9809. They have a website and Facebook page, but they are the most active on their Instagram page, so go there if you have any questions.

4. Shakedown Street

This fantastic gift shop has thousands of items on sale, and kratom is among them. Their selection includes Red Bali, Green Maeng Da, and White Horn. All customers praise their customer service and the fantastic 60s vibe the shop has.

Visit them personally at 670 Leonard St NW, or call them at (616) 458-0500. They currently don’t have a website, but they update their Facebook page every day.

5. Purple East

Since 1974, Purple East has been one of Grand Rapids’ finest head shops and alternative lifestyle retailers. Their kratom selection isn’t extensive but includes the prevalent strains, and they always try to match their prices to the competition, physical or online.

You can find them at 2221 Plainfield Ave NE Suite 105, and you can contact them at (616) 551-0591. Or, you can head to their Facebook page and Instagram, where they post something new nearly every day.

6. Psycle Sam’s Heady Glass

One of the newest smoke shops in town, their combination of great products and even better customer service has won them a loyal following. They don’t have many kratom strains, but the quality makes up for it.

You’ll find this shop at 1501 Wealthy St SE, and the phone number is (616) 805-5963. They have a Facebook page, but it doesn’t seem very active, so we recommend calling them if you want to know more.

Looking for Kratom in Another City?

Learn more about buying kratom in Michigan with these city guides:

Why It’s Better to Order Kratom Online

We know that finding kratom that is both high-quality and inexpensive can become a daunting task. In Michigan, this is worse because there are no regulations to ensure products are legit or follow any standards.

This is why we recommend buying online, as most vendors’ websites state their certifications on their homepages. And because there are no middlemen involved in the transaction, you can be confident that the kratom you purchase is unadulterated.

Also, internet purchases save you money and time. Money, because online vendors don’t have the overhead costs typical of physical stores. And time — as well as effort — because you don’t need more than a few clicks to have your kratom delivered to your doorstep.

Finally, buying kratom online lets you access a variety of strains that no physical store could ever offer. And you can also read reviews, and third-party tests within the same website, without having to resort to other services.

Kratom Vendors That Ship to Grand Rapids

There are dozens of online vendors across the US, and you may be wondering which ones are trustworthy and which aren’t. Even filtering by certifications, the list would still end up too large, so to help you, we put up a list of the top online kratom vendors, all of which ship countrywide.

1. Kona Kratom

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $45.00 — $115.00
Verified Vendor

Kona Kratom

4.95 / 5
Ranked 1 out of 193 vendors

Kona Kratom gets our highest recommendation. This choice is a no-brainer, as they offer an excellent strain selection as well as top-notch customer service. These make it a safe and reliable option for new and experienced users.

All products come with a 30-day money-back guarantee and free delivery if they cost more than $29.99. All of their goods have been lab-tested, and fresh batches have a visible label on the internet, ensuring that no stale kratom reaches your home.

Kona Kratom’s top picks:

  • Green Malay
  • Red Maeng Da
  • Red Dragon

2. Star Kratom

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $35 — $95
Verified Vendor

Star Kratom

4.8 / 5
Ranked 3 out of 193 vendors

Second place goes to Star Kratom because of its outstanding delivery choices. Despite being new to the industry, they’ve swiftly built a reputation as one of the most reputable kratom providers. Two of their keys to success: same day and next-day delivery.

They hold the quality of their products to a high level, and as such, they test everything twice. Despite having a limited strain variety, their pricing is affordable, and you can even buy in bulk.

Star Kratom’s top picks:

  • Red Bali
  • Green Maeng Da
  • Green Malay

3. VIP Kratom

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $40.00 — $125.00
Verified Vendor

VIP Kratom

4.70 / 5
Ranked 7 out of 193 vendors

VIP Kratom is the place to go if having the best kratom is your top priority. This company has returned entire batches for not meeting their requirements. No one can say that they offer average products.

Everything they do revolves around ensuring customer satisfaction. As a result, they provide bulk purchases, speedy shipping, and refunds. Of course, these premiums are pricey, but they’re worth it if you only want the most premium kratom in your house.

VIP Kratom’s top picks:

  • Red Sumatra
  • White Maeng Da
  • Green Hulu

4. Gaia Kratom

Aka GMP Certified no
Pricing $1.20 — $1200.00
Verified Vendor

Gaia (Mitragaia) Kratom

3 / 5
Ranked 94 out of 193 vendors

In recent years, Gaia Kratom, also known as Mitragaia, has attracted a following. Their selection of strains is immense, surpassing a hundred and leaving most vendors behind. In addition, they distinguish themselves by also offering kratom in neat small tablets.

Boasting a strong media presence surpassing 20,000 followers, they keep their prices competitive while maintaining excellent quality. Unfortunately, their only downside is their products can take a while to deliver. If that doesn’t bother you, feel free to give them a try.

Gaia Kratom’s top picks:

  • Green Batak
  • Red Brunei
  • White JongKong

5. Green Leaf Kratom

Aka GMP Certified no
Pricing $22.99 — $350.00
Verified Vendor

Green Leaf Kratom

2 / 5
Ranked 146 out of 193 vendors

Green Leaf Kratom specializes in strains native to Southeast Asia’s tropical regions, such as Indonesia and Bali. Their product selection is excellent, and they provide free delivery in the US and a refund policy.

Sadly, they don’t have many deals or discounts throughout the year, and customer reviews are neutral at best. We recommend you to read some of them as they’ll give you a clear idea of what to expect.

Green Leaf Kratom’s top picks:

  • Green Maeng Da
  • Red Horn
  • White Maeng Da

6. Chief Kratom

Aka GMP Certified no
Pricing $11.99 — $

Chief Kratom

4.0 / 5
Ranked 54 out of 193 vendors

If you’re looking for kratom tinctures, Chief Kratom is the right choice. They provide natural liquid kratom products and are certified by the American Kratom Association. However, there’s something odd about them: we have no idea about their location or where they source their goods, and they only offer one product.

They balance purity and cost, ensuring their goods are free of artificial ingredients while maintaining affordable prices.

7. Golden Monk

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $39.99 — $254.99
Verified Vendor

Golden Monk Kratom

4.45 / 5
Ranked 20 out of 193 vendors

Golden Monk dedicates to the principles of safety and honesty. They test their products six times, much more than other vendors, and their customer service is excellent. For instance, they ship their products in discrete boxes to avoid prying eyes.

Free shipping is available on orders of $44.99 or more, and free samples are available on orders over a kilo or 1000 capsules. You can also split kilos in two or more to sample new strains without paying extra.

Golden Monk’s top picks:

  • Red Bali
  • Maeng Da
  • Green Malay

8. Kat’s Botanicals

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $$6.99 — $$99.99

Kats Botanicals

4.5 / 5
Ranked 11 out of 193 vendors

Uniquely, Kat’s Botanicals sells a variety of therapeutic herbs in addition to kratom, all while employing organic, eco-friendly methods. Also, they actively listen to their customers and involve them in the process by asking for user input.

If you prefer to use kratom capsules rather than powder, this vendor can offer you a solution. They sell most of their 21 strains in capsule form, and their over 11,000 reviews show that it wouldn’t be a bad pick.

Kat’s Botanicals’ top picks:

Which Kratom Strain Should I Use?

When we say kratom strains, we refer to the different types of this plant, all of which have their distinctive effects and uses. There are over 50 strains in existence, and we classify them by the color of their veins.

Next, you’ll learn about the most prevalent kratom strains and their characteristics. We hope that this advice will assist you in selecting the best option for your needs.

Green Vein Kratom Powder

Green vein kratom powder has the most sales of all veins because of its balanced qualities. Strains of this vein offer stimulating or calming effects while still keeping their medicinal properties. For this reason, we recommend them for beginners.

The top-rated green-vein kratom strains are:

Green Malay

While lacking the potency of red variants, Green Malay is one of the most popular strains due to its relaxing and uplifting effects. An effective stress reliever and anxiolytic, it’s also an excellent tool to unwind in social circumstances.

Green Borneo

Green Borneo can aid in the treatment of pain, as well as in overcoming depression and anxiety. It’s popular among beginners and users searching for the right blend of excitement and relaxation.

Green Bali

Many enthusiasts use Green Bali every day in place of coffee due to its stimulating properties. It’s a great nootropic and energy booster, both mentally and physically, but cheaper brands are sometimes weaker than they should be.

Green Thai

People report that Green Thai is one of the finest strains for daily use, as it enhances mood and energy while inducing a tranquil mental state. This is a great choice to endure difficult workdays and lengthy study sessions.

Green Sumatra

Green Sumatra remains a popular option among experienced users for the unpredictability of its effects. The cause of this is the strain’s sensitivity to changes in climate, and many people have reported sleepiness instead of the usual stimulation.

Red Vein Kratom Powder

Red vein kratom powder is an effective anxiolytic and can work great for reducing pain, making it popular among users looking to treat insomnia, among other issues. These strains work swiftly and are potent sedatives, so we recommend caution.

The top-rated red-vein kratom strains are:

Red Bali

Red Bali is a potent analgesic at higher dosages, making it a convenient alternative to conventional pain medication. However, it has the peculiarity of acting like a stimulant at lower amounts.

Red Thai

Red Thai will give you a fantastic feeling of tranquility and well-being as long as you use it in small amounts. Higher dosages might cause intense euphoric effects, so proceed with caution when trying it out.

Red Horn

Red Horn’s effects vary depending on the crop, making it an unpredictable strain. Nonetheless, it retains the sedative properties of the family, making it an effective sleep aid and pain reliever.

Red Sumatra

Red Sumatra is well known for its sedative effects, so it could lend you a hand if you have trouble falling asleep. In large amounts, it creates an unrivaled sensation of serenity and relaxation.

Red Borneo

Besides containing the anxiolytic properties of this vein, Red Borneo also provides a slight energy boost. As the sedative effects grow with the dose, this strain becomes an excellent choice to end an exhausting day.

White Vein Kratom Powder

In contrast to red veins, white vein kratom powder provides a boost of energy and uplifting effects, proving to be effective for depression as well as a nootropic. For this reason, many people have replaced coffee with these strains.

The top-rated white-vein kratom strains are:

White Borneo

A well-balanced strain, White Borneo is a great mood booster, making it a helpful tool for depression management. We think this is an ideal strain for use during stressful workdays.

White Thai

Users describe White Thai as an excellent strain for socializing and boosting creativity. It stimulates the body and calms the mind, though, in large amounts, it has the potential to disrupt your sleep cycle.

White Bali

White Bali has analgesic properties and mild effects, but unlike white strains, this one concentrates on relieving anxiety and boosting mood. In addition, even at high doses, there have been no reports of severe side effects, so we recommend it for beginners.

White Sumatra

In modest dosages, White Sumatra is one of the most energetic kratom strains, and its effects can last for a long time. However, it becomes a potent de-stressor capable of dealing swiftly with insomnia in higher amounts.

White Indo

White Indo is a fantastic choice for improving mood, boosting your energy, and helping you get rid of discomfort. This strain is sensitive to environmental changes, so there may be minor variances between batches.

What Are the Benefits of Kratom?

Humans have been using kratom for its medicinal properties for more than a hundred years, and its popularity is growing every day. Experts estimate that around 3 to 5 million people use this herb daily only in the US [1].

Unfortunately, there are very few medical studies about kratom, so there’s only a handful of reliable data about the benefits this substance can provide. Most of the information we have comes from anecdotal reports, which lack the thoroughness a study would provide.

We’ve mentioned these benefits throughout this article, but here we’ll dive into four: kratom as a pain reliever, as a sleeping aid, as a stimulant, and as an anxiolytic. We’ll do this while linking to relevant studies.

Kratom for Pain

One of kratom’s most prevalent uses is as a pain reliever, and people have come to prefer it as a natural alternative to conventional pain medications, like opioids. The herb has a particular effect on the body, which helps to alleviate pain, and some strains are better at this than others.

This herb has active components called alkaloids, and two of these — mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine — take part in reducing pain. These two stimulate the opioid receptors in each nerve, which block the pain signal from hopping onto the next nerve, preventing it from reaching the brain.

There are several studies on this subject, and at least one was performed on humans, while most were done in-vitro or on animals [2, 3, 4]. Kratom also inhibits an enzyme that causes pain and relaxes tense muscle fibers [5, 6].

Some strains are naturally better at relieving pain, but it also depends on the dose. Generally, the standard dosage to reduce pain stands between 5 to 10 grams.

These are the best kratom strains for relieving pain:

  • Red Maeng Da
  • Red Bali
  • Red Borneo

Kratom for Sleep

People also use kratom as a sleeping aid to help with insomnia and other resting issues. It achieves this by providing sedative effects or simply by dealing with issues that affect your sleep.

Those same alkaloids taking part in blocking pain signals are also responsible for slowing down the central nervous system, inducing feelings of calmness, happiness, and relaxation. These, in addition to the anxiolytic and pain-killing effects, ensure a better rest.

If you’re looking to use kratom to help your sleep, start with a dose of 4 grams, and add gram by gram until you reach the sleepy effect. Generally, the amount will end up between 6 to 8 grams.

These are the best kratom strains for sleeping:

  • Red Maeng Da
  • Red Indo
  • Red Kali

Kratom for Energy

Kratom works as a stimulant similar to coffee while also acting as a nootropic, keeping you focused for a long time. These, once again, are due to the herb’s active ingredients, the alkaloids.

In this case, they act on the noradrenaline system, influencing it to release that compound. As a result, kratom provides the same effect you feel during intense stress, or fear, without suffering these.

This effect only occurs at lower dosages, so avoid amounts higher than 4 grams. As always, this is a personal value, so you’ll have to experiment.

These are the best kratom strains for boosting energy:

  • White Maeng Da
  • White Borneo
  • Green Indo

Kratom for Anxiety

Thousands of people use kratom every day to fight against anxiety or depression. While not a cure to those issues, these can become more manageable in addition to other tools, such as therapy.

For anxiety, kratom uses the mechanism for relieving pain: stimulating the opiate receptors. In this case, these regulate a neurotransmitter known as GABA, which is responsible for reducing brain activity.

When it becomes active, it blocks the effects of another compound called glutamate. As this compound stimulates the neurons, we feel relaxed and calm without it. Surveys indicate kratom could be responsible for reducing anxiety and depression symptoms [7].

As with relieving pain, kratom works better as an anxiolytic at larger doses. Most people go for amounts larger than 5 grams, so you should try increasing values until reaching the sweet spot.

These are the best kratom strains for managing anxiety:

  • Green Malay
  • Red Thai
  • White Maeng Da

Conclusion: Where to Buy Kratom in Grand Rapids

Currently, Kratom is legal in Grand Rapids as well as throughout Michigan. However, the substance remains unregulated, and the situation could change soon. Be on the lookout for when this happens, and be ready to contact your local officials to let them know your stance.

There are many smoke shops and providers in the city, but save one, they can’t assure their products follow any standard. Therefore, we recommend you turn to online vendors, like Kona Kratom, Star Kratom, and VIP Kratom. These focus on excellence, and they won’t disappoint you.

References