Is Kratom Legal In Montana? Where to Buy Kratom in Montana

Written by Wade Paul
Last Updated 3 years ago

Wade Paul

Founder & Editor-In-Chief

Wade Paul is the founder and editor-in-chief at Kratom.org.

Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa) is a southeastern Asian herb with psychoactive properties that have become popular thanks to its many health benefits.

It’s an evergreen-like tree in the Rubiaceae family; the same family coffee belongs to.

Despite kratom’s medical benefits, some states have chosen to regulate kratom, and others ban it altogether. Luckily, it’s legal to buy and use in Montana.

This guide aims to help you find the best places to buy kratom in Montana and includes some general purchasing tips and safety information.

Is Kratom Legal In Montana?

Yes, kratom is legal in Montana for anyone over the age of 18.

There are rumblings about banning kratom in the state legislature, but, so far, none have passed. The consensus is that Montana may eventually follow states like Alabama and Indiana and ban kratom since many vocal Montana lawmakers support a statewide ban.

For now, kratom is legal in Montana, but that could change soon. You should stay up to date with your local and state laws, so you know about any change in kratom’s legal status as soon as possible.

Related: Is kratom legal in the United States?

Where To Buy Kratom In Montana

There are two main ways you can purchase kratom: online and in-person. Finding a local shop in Montana can be difficult unless you live near a major city, so buying online is the better option for most people.

Below you’ll find an in-depth discussion of the pros and cons of buying online versus buying from a local store.

Buying Kratom Online

If you live in Montana and want to purchase kratom, your best bet is to shop online. Unless you live in Billings, you’ll probably have trouble locating a local shop that carries kratom. Besides convenience, there are several other advantages to buying kratom from an online vendor.

First, online kratom dealers usually have better prices. Many online vendors work directly with kratom growers and purchase their products in bulk, saving them money and allowing them to set lower prices. Local stores can’t afford to buy kratom in bulk since most shops can’t sell a large inventory before losing freshness.

Second, online kratom stores reach a wider audience than local shops, making it feasible to carry more products without worrying about them sitting on the shelf. This means you have access to more products and are more likely to find what you’re looking for online.

Finally — and most importantly — online kratom vendors like VIP Kratom and Kona Kratom have access to third-party testing. Since most online kratom retailers buy their products directly from the source, they can verify the quality and purity of kratom before they sell it. Having access to independent testing is the best way to ensure you’re getting what you pay for and not a weaker product cut with potentially hazardous contaminants.

Physical kratom shops can’t leverage third-party testing the way online shops can since they often sell another company’s products. Without direct access to the manufacturer, it is impossible to guarantee the validity of an independent lab report.

The only downside to buying kratom online is the lag time. Waiting for processing and shipping times can be a drag if you need to replenish your stock quickly, so buying from a local store is the best option if time is of the essence. Some online vendors like Star Kratom specialize in fast shipping, closing the speed gap between online and in-person purchases.

2. Buying Kratom In-Store: Kratom Near Me

Unless you need to get your kratom as soon as possible, you should buy it online. However, sometimes speed is the most critical factor, and you have to find a store near you that carries kratom. Unfortunately, kratom availability in Montana isn’t great unless you live near Billings.

Below are some of the best and most popular shops that sell kratom near Billings to get you started.

A) Smokin’ Smitty’s

Located in the southwestern part of Billings, Smokin’ Smitty’s carries a wide selection of kratom products at reasonable prices. Their staff is knowledgeable about kratom and can help you choose the right product for your needs.

B) Cold Smoke

On the opposite side of town in northwestern Billings, you’ll find Cold Smoke, an all-purpose smoke shop with a small selection of kratom. They have great prices, making it worth a trip despite the less extensive selection.

C) Discontent Lifestyle Stores

This smoke shop carries tons of smoke-related accessories and tobacco products, but their kratom stock is spotty. The help is welcoming and friendly, and the store is a great place to poke around. Consider calling first to make sure they have some kratom in stock before you pay them a visit in central Billings.

D) D’z Shop Tobacco Accessories & Gifts

D’z focuses mostly on tobacco products, but they also carry an impressive array of kratom. Unfortunately, their kratom is expensive, making it hard to justify unless you don’t mind paying a premium for the convenience of immediacy.

E) Smoker Friendly

Located just outside MetraPark Arena, Smoker Friendly is mostly a tobacco shop, although they often have a small selection of kratom products available for purchase. Their prices are high, so they’re only a good option if you live nearby and don’t want to head across town to a more affordable shop.

Glacier National Park, Montana

What To Look For When Buying Kratom

Buying kratom doesn’t have to be a complicated endeavor, but there are a few things you should keep in mind while shopping. Here are some tips for choosing the right strain and staying safe while you explore everything kratom has to offer.

1. Strain Selection

Having a good kratom experience begins with choosing the right strain for your purposes. There are three main kratom strains, red-vein, white-vein, and green-vein. Here is an overview of each.

White Vein Kratom

White-vein kratom is most popular among people looking for an energizing effect. White-vein users describe the effects as similar to caffeine and report feeling more alert and focused after taking it. Some people use white-vein kratom to support their mood and as a treatment for anxiety and depression.

Red Vein Kratom

Red-vein kratom is everything white-vein kratom is not. It’s soothing and relaxing and comes with powerful analgesic properties, making it popular to treat chronic pain. Red-vein kratom is also commonly used to treat opiate withdrawal, and certain strains can help manage anxiety.

Green Vein Kratom

If you aren’t sure whether you should try red-vein or white-vein kratom, consider green-vein kratom. It offers some red-vein and white-vein kratom characteristics, providing a less intense energy boost than most white-vein strains and milder sedative effects than most red-vein strains. Green-vein users describe it as a smoother, more relaxed experience than white-vein while still boosting their energy.

2. Look For AKA Certification

The American Kratom Association (AKA) is an organization that provides certification for kratom retailers and manufacturers. They conduct independent testing on a company’s products and grant certification to a company that passes their battery of quality-control tests.

The AKA holds kratom companies accountable and offers peace of mind to consumers by assuring them that what they’re buying is accurately labeled and safe to use.

Businesses are reviewed annually by the AKA to ensure they continue to meet the AKA’s requirements. Any company that fails to submit to a review or fails to pass AKA testing loses its certification.

You should only buy kratom from company’s with AKA certification. Buying kratom from an uncertified vendor is risky since, without AKA certification, your kratom may be less potent than advertised and could contain harmful substances. At best, you could be wasting money. At worst, you could suffer serious side effects if the product you buy is unsafe to consume.

3. Company Reputation

While AKA certification guarantees the products you buy are high-quality, it doesn’t say anything about a company’s business practices.

Unfortunately, the kratom space has many cutthroat businesses that are only concerned with turning a profit. The internet is full of customer service horror stories about people ending up with the wrong kratom products and the vendor refusing refunds.

Take the time to do your own investigating into any company before you pull the trigger and make a purchase. Check as many independent review sites as possible and read the reviews carefully.

Negative reviews are an obvious red flag, but no reviews can be just as damning. Pay particular attention to low-rated reviews that mention poor customer service since that tells you a lot about a company’s core principles.

If you’re unsure where to start, our complete vendor review is a good jumping-off point.

What Are People Using Kratom For?

Kratom owes its popularity to its many different uses. Here are some of the most common things people use kratom to treat.

1. Kratom For Pain

The most popular use for kratom is pain relief. Red-vein kratom is the most popular strain used to treat pain, followed by green-vein. White-vein kratom doesn’t work as well for pain relief.

Red-vein kratom has similar biological activity as opioids. It eases pain by interrupting the pain signal before it reaches the brain, making it exceptionally effective at treating stubborn chronic conditions. Red kratom strains also have a mild muscle relaxing effect, making them help relieve the tension often associated with pain.

2. Kratom For Anxiety & Depression

All three kratom strains can support anxiety and depression, although some white strains can make anxiety worse. Green-vein kratom is the most popular, helping users feel calm in anxiety-triggering situations while simultaneously boosting their mood.

Some red-vein kratom strains also treat anxiety, although they have more extreme calming effects, making them less suitable for use during the day. A milder red-vein strain is a good option for anyone with severe anxiety since it will be more relaxing than most green-vein strains.

3. Kratom For Opiate Withdrawal

Since kratom is similar in many ways to opioids, it’s incredibly effective at helping people manage withdrawal symptoms during their recovery. Inability to cope with painful withdrawal symptoms is what drives recovering opiate abusers to relapse.

Red-vein kratom can help bridge the gap between quitting cold turkey and going back to abusing opiates.

4. Kratom For Energy & Focus

Many people use white-vein kratom as a caffeine alternative since it provides them with increased energy and focus. White-vein strains are more stimulating than green-vein or red-vein strains and don’t create mental fogginess, making them suitable for taking during the day.

Many people rely on white-vein kratom when they need enhanced concentration and improved cognitive performance.

Is Kratom Safe?

Kratom is mostly safe to use, but it can be dangerous if you don’t know how to use it properly.

Addiction is the biggest risk associated with kratom use, but it’s generally easily avoided by following some simple guidelines.

Most experts recommend limiting your weekly kratom use to no more than five days per week. Regular kratom use without breaks increases the chances of developing an addiction, and once you have a kratom addiction, it can be hard to recover.

Additionally, it’s important to take a full week off from kratom use once every one to two months. Long-term kratom use can lead to systemic fatigue, tolerance, and burnout.

The only other rule to follow is to keep dose sizes small. Most people should restrict their doses to between 2g and 12g. Beginners are encouraged to start with 2g doses and only increase their dose slowly once they have some experience and feel comfortable.

Side Effects of Kratom

Most kratom users won’t experience any unpleasant side effects, but it’s still a good idea to familiarize yourself with the most common ones.

The likelihood of experiencing side effects with kratom increases with dose size and over-use, so keeping your dose size small and taking intermittent breaks are the best ways to avoid side effects altogether.

1. Upset Stomach

One of the more common side effects is gastrointestinal distress. Some people feel nauseous after taking kratom, usually from taking too much. Staying in the 2g to 5g range makes it unlikely that you’ll feel sick.

2. Unsteadiness/Dizziness

Another common side effect is dizziness or a general feeling of instability. This is overwhelmingly more prevalent in people taking more than 10g. 

3. Anxiety

Even though some strains can help relieve anxiety, others can actually make it worse. This is especially common with white-vein kratom, so be careful when selecting a strain if you’re using kratom to manage anxiety.

4. Mental Fog

Kratom has some mind-altering effects. Red-vein kratom and some green-vein strains can give people an unpleasant foggy feeling in larger amounts. You shouldn’t experience this if you stick to white-vein kratom and use small amounts.

5. Fatigue

Prolonged kratom use without any breaks can lead to systemic fatigue. If you feel unusually tired after taking kratom or continue to feel fatigued long after you take it, you probably need to take an extended break.

What’s the Future of Kratom In Montana?

Kratom’s future in Montana is uncertain. While it’s currently legal to buy and use throughout the state, some legislators support banning kratom entirely at the state level. There is precedent in other states for banning kratom statewide, and some places have imposed county-wide bans where statewide bans have failed.

For now, kratom remains legal in Montana. However, the vocal opposition doesn’t bode well in the long term since it’s likely that some form of regulation will eventually get passed. It’s impossible to predict whether any regulation would include a statewide ban, local bans, or simply restrictions or regulations.