Mitragyna speciosa, or kratom, is a popular medicinal plant from Thailand, known for its striking ability to increase energy and decrease pain.
Today, people across the globe use it, but many places have outlawed it, including many states in the US.
Kratom is legal in New Hampshire, but there have been a few attempts to regulate it. What does this mean for residents, since no measures are in place to enforce quality?
Here’s what the laws mean, how to choose the right kratom, and how to buy it safely.
Is Kratom Legal in New Hampshire?
Yes, kratom is legal in all counties and towns in New Hampshire, except for Franklin, where it’s illegal. Outside the city limits, kratom is entirely legal and without regulation.
In 2016, Bill SB540 set out to put age restrictions on buying kratom, making it illegal for anyone under 18, but it died on the table.
The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), or House Bill 333, introduced in 2021, would have put quality-control measures in place, such as:
- Ban adulterated products, including kratom with synthetic alkaloids
- Prohibit the sale of kratom with more than 2% mitragynine
- Ban the sale of kratom to minors
This bill died in committee, so New Hampshire residents must continue to stay diligent when buying kratom.
Where To Buy Kratom In New Hampshire
As mentioned above, you can buy kratom throughout the state except in the city of Franklin.
Kratom is available both in-store and online.
Unfortunately, buying kratom locally is far from ideal for many reasons, especially where it’s unregulated.
That shop or gas station down the street might have a few kratom products, but it’s highly unlikely that the kratom has been through any kind of testing.
Do you know if it’s contaminated, or if it’s even kratom at all? There’s no proof that what you’re buying is safe to consume or has any potency.
Plus, you won’t find a good selection, which means you might not find the strain you need. Another issue is you’ll pay more than you would by purchasing online. Local stores are intermediaries and have to raise prices to make money.
Support local businesses, but not when buying kratom.
If you have to, here’s a list of top-rated stores in different places in New Hampshire:
- The Smoking Turtle (Concord City)
- Smoker Choice 3 (Concord City)
- Smokers Haven Epsom – Smoke & Vape Shop (Epsom town)
- Smoke Signals (Dover City)
- Curious Goods (Laconia City, and the nearest in-store for those who live in franklin)
If you’re buying kratom, online is always the safest bet. It’s easier to find a vendor that puts its products through rigorous testing and is certified by the American Kratom Association. You can read customer reviews, look for the perfect strains for your needs, and save money.
There are plenty of reliable online companies like VIP Kratom, Star Kratom, and Kona Kratom, meaning you never have to put your health at risk.
Also see: Where to Buy Kratom in Nashua, NH?
Best Kratom Strains in New Hampshire
There are different kratom strains, each categorized according to color — red, green, and white. Each offers different effects; some are more stimulating, while others are sedative or analgesic.
When you’re buying kratom, you’ll want to pick a strain that will help in the right areas. For example, if you’re looking for something to help with anxiety, you wouldn’t want a white strain because those tend to make it worse.
Figure out what you’re hoping to achieve by using kratom so that you can buy the right strain.
White vein kratom is the most stimulating option. These strains have a high content of 7-hydroxymitragynine, the alkaloid responsible for nootropic effects like focus and motivation.
Red vein strains are high in mitragynine, a mu-opioid agonist alkaloid responsible for sedative and relaxing effects. These strains are similar to opioids and offer potent pain relief.
Green vein strains are a middle ground between white and red kratom. These strains have a balanced alkaloid profile and lower potency, making them ideal for beginners. If you want to treat several conditions simultaneously, this type of kratom can be perfect for that.
What is Kratom Used For?
Because there are so many options, you might want to check multiple vendors before picking one — or choose a few and see what you like best.
Here’s a glimpse at a few of the most common reasons people use kratom and the strains that work best for each.
1. Kratom For Energy & Focus
If you use the correct strain and the right amount, kratom can boost energy and motivation, improve your mood, and help you focus.
White strains are the best for this, but, ironically, they’ll give you more energy at low doses. If this is the effect you’re looking for, start with 1-3g.
They have a mechanism of action similar to some psychedelics. Although this herb is not psychotropic, it unquestionably boosts lateral and creative thinking.
Suggested Reading: Best Kratom For Energy & Focus
2. Kratom For Pain Relief
Using red vein kratom is perfect for reducing pain. The alkaloids in these strains act similarly to opioids, making them a potent option, especially for chronic patients who can’t tolerate pharma-grade painkillers anymore.
Suggested Reading: Best Kratom For Pain Relief
3. Kratom For Opioid Withdrawal
Kratom often gets a bad rap because it’s so similar to opioids. The same reason it works so well for pain is why many people seek to outlaw it.
However, kratom addiction is easy to avoid and is nowhere near as dangerous as opioid addiction. In fact, many people use kratom for opioid addiction since it helps ease withdrawal symptoms.
Kratom will not make the symptoms disappear all of a sudden — nothing will. That said, kratom can help alleviate them and can calm the cravings.
Suggested Reading: Best Kratom For Opioid Withdrawal
4. Kratom For Anxiety & Depression
Conventional medicine has treatments for these disorders, and they’re pretty effective. However, there is a problem: their adverse effects.
For example, benzodiazepines are one of the most common treatments for anxiety, but these drugs have a high potential for dependence and cause several undesirable side effects.
This causes many people to turn to kratom for anxiety and depression. However, it’s worth noting that this is not the cure (neither are prescription drugs).
If you deal with anxiety, try a red or green strain. White strains can make anxiety worse.
White or some green strains are better for depression.
Suggested Reading: Best Kratom For Anxiety & Depression
Is Kratom Safe?
Kratom is safe, but you need to use it responsibly. If you don’t, you may face various adverse effects.
The most common side effects of kratom are:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Low blood pressure
- Lethargy
Beware that it is unsafe to use kratom during pregnancy or under the influence of alcohol.
What’s the Dose of Kratom?
The ideal dose of kratom will be different for each user. There is no perfect dose for everyone. However, there are two reasons you’ll want to use the lowest effective amount of kratom as infrequently as possible:
- You’ll experience fewer side effects.
- You won’t build up a tolerance as quickly.
Standard kratom dosing is as follows:
- Low dose: 1 – 3 g
- Medium dose: 3 – 5 g
- High dose: 5 – 8 g
Of course, the amount also depends on the issue you want to treat. So start low, and regulate your intake based on how you feel.
Suggested Reading: Kratom Dosage Guide
What’s the Future of Kratom In New Hampshire?
The kratom ban in Franklin in 2019 may have scared off many kratom users across New Hampshire. However, the future looks positive regarding local kratom legislation, and it seems unlikely the state will outright ban kratom.
For now, make sure you only buy from vendors that test their products with third-party labs. Companies like VIP Kratom, Star Kratom, and Kona Kratom guarantee the highest quality and won’t leave you disappointed.
