Where to Buy Kratom in Durham

Written by Nicolas Minckas
Last Updated 2 years ago

Nicolas Minckas

Expert Kratom User

Fortunately, anyone over 18 years old can buy kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) in North Carolina. However, finding a good seller is difficult, especially for beginners.

This article will show you the best physical and online stores near you that provide safe, quality products. It will also show you the numerous benefits of the herb and why it isn’t used in traditional medicin1e. So keep on reading and find out all you need to know about kratom in Durham.

Is Kratom Legal in Durham?

Yes, kratom is legal in Durham.

Although kratom is legal throughout North Carolina, there was an attempt to criminalize it in 2016. SB830 sought to add kratom’s primary alkaloids — mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine — to Schedule I on the list of controlled substances.

This happened after finding these compounds in the blood of 23 opiate overdoses. However, there was no convincing evidence that kratom was involved in these deaths, so the bill promptly died.

Moreover, organizations such as the FDA seek to criminalize kratom on a national level, holding it responsible for the deaths of 44 people, again without hard evidence. However, in 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that kratom poses no threat to public health.

Will Durham Ban Kratom?

No, Durham probably won’t ban kratom anytime soon.

There is no reason to believe that kratom will be banned in Durham or North Carolina. In fact, an increasing number of people are benefiting from it, so everything points to kratom remaining legal.

Still, we cannot assure you that legislators won’t introduce a bill to ban it, so we recommend you stay up-to-date on related news.

Why Do Some States/Cities Ban Kratom?

Generally, states and cities choose to ban kratom due to misconceptions about the herb and specific cases of misuse within their jurisdictions. But, kratom is as safe as drinking coffee — it is only dangerous when mixed with other substances or not used responsibly.

In recent years, kratom use has grown significantly, and the FDA and the DEA are trying to influence states to ban it, saying that it represents a threat to society. However, kratom isn’t as dangerous as many legal opioid painkillers are — the WHO has declared that it poses no danger whatsoever.

Top 5 Kratom Shops in Durham

Unfortunately, it is easy to come across kratom products of dubious quality in Durham. Therefore, we have made a list of the best five in the area to save you time and trouble.

Kibou Botanicals

Kibou Botanical is an excellent choice as it’s mainly dedicated to kratom and CBD. The first thing that will surprise you is their vast collection of herbal products, all of excellent quality and approved by third-party laboratories.

Furthermore, you can find over 25 different strains on their kratom selection. If you want to visit this store, go to 2635-B at Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd — for more information, visit their website or call them at (919) 973-1010.

TJ Smokes

TJ Smokes is a vast store located at 4900 NC-55. Here, you will find various tobacco, vaporizers, CBD, and kratom products. Although their variety of strains is not the greatest, it is acceptable — their best-sellers are Green Maeng Da and White Borneo.

If you want to find out more information, you can call them at (984) 219-2890, and they will be happy to answer your questions. Alternatively, check out their website for further inquiries.

365 Tobacco & Vape

At 365 Tobacco & Vape, you will find CBD, kratom, hookah, and cigars of excellent quality and at reasonable prices. In addition, their employees are friendly, so you don’t have to be shy about asking anything.

This store is at 4600 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd Unit 23 and is open daily from 9:00 to 23:00. For more information, you can call them at (919) 908-1005. You may be able to contact them through their Instagram page as well.

I C Tobacco & Vape

I C Tobacco & Vape is one of the most complete smoke shops on this top since you can find a tremendous variety of products here, including e-liquids, CBD, and much more. Although this store specializes mainly in smoking products, their kratom is of excellent quality.

They have an immense collection of strains, so you’ll find the one you’re looking for. This store is located at 5300 N Roxboro St and is open every day from 8:00 to 23:00. If you have questions, you can only call them at (919) 251-8995, as they don’t have any website that we know of.

Hunky Dory

The Hunky Dory is a great place to hang out with others as you can drink beer and listen to good music while shopping. Also, you will find impressive-quality kratom and a great variety of strains, all sourced from Southeast Asia.

This vendor is located at 718 9th St and is open every day from 12:00 to 20:00. You will find all the information you need on their website, but you can also call them at (919) 286-1916 for further inquiries.

Looking for Kratom in Another City?

Check out these other city guides:

Why You Should Buy Kratom Online

Buying kratom online is beneficial for the convenience of ordering from home and for many other reasons. For example, prices are much more affordable since online vendors don’t have to pay salaries and expenses like physical stores.

In addition, quality is usually superior, as most of the online vendors are loyal members of the American Kratom Association (AKA) and source their kratom directly from Asia. Also, they often share third-party lab tests of all their products on their websites.

Furthermore, kratom veterans love shopping online because of the wide variety of strains and products you can find there. You’ll find exotic and rare strains online, such as Red Cambodian or Red Dragon.

Is Buying Kratom In-Store Safe?

It depends on the vendor, but it’s usually safe.

Some smoke shops do not know how to store kratom products, which may deteriorate their quality. Therefore, before going to a smoke store, we recommend checking a few things before purchasing to avoid shady vendors.

Here are some tips to consider before buying kratom in-store:

  • Online reviews — we recommend looking for reviews of the place through platforms such as Reddit or Google Maps.
  • AKA’s seal of approval — to ensure that you buy a quality and safe product, check if they display their AKA endorsement on their label.
  • Knowledgeable staff — if the staff doesn’t show sufficient knowledge about the herb, it may be best to find another vendor to help you.
  • Good storage practices — kratom requires care to prevent it from spoiling, and many sellers do not know this. You should keep it away from sunlight and other environmental variables.

Kratom Vendors That Ship to Durham

Many online vendors ship to North Carolina, as kratom is legal here. However, some sellers are not as good as others, so we recommend you to look for reviews of each one.

But, if you don’t want to waste time researching, here is a list of the best eight online kratom vendors.

1. Kona Kratom

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

Kona Kratom

4.95 / 5
Ranked 1 out of 195 vendors

Kona Kratom is the favorite brand of many veterans and beginners, as you can find quality, variety, and fair prices here. If you are not sure of your product’s quality, the company offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

Among their extensive collection of strains, you can find Green Horn, Red Maeng Da, and White Bali, which sell for $159.99 a kilo.

What we love about Kona Kratom:

  • Top-notch quality kratom
  • Fast shipping
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Excellent customer service

What’s not so good:

  • Prices can be expensive

2. Star Kratom

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

Star Kratom

4.8 / 5
Ranked 3 out of 195 vendors

At Star Kratom, you will find the best value for your money, as their excellent kratom does not cost more than $99.99 per kilo. Also, they offer the fastest logistics services in the market, committing to delivering your order within 24 hours.

The only shortcoming of Star Kratom is their limited variety of strains, as they only have common strains such as Red Bali and Green Maeng Da. However, all of them come in both powder and capsule form.

What we love about Star Kratom:

  • Fastest shipping on the market
  • Affordable prices
  • Strains come in powder and capsule form
  • Discounts for bulk orders

What’s not so good:

  • Their variety of strains

3. VIP Kratom

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

VIP Kratom

4.70 / 5
Ranked 7 out of 195 vendors

If you prefer quality over price, VIP Kratom is for you. Their potent products undergo strict quality control beforehand, which considerably inflates their price to $179.99 per kilo.

Like the brands mentioned above, VIP Kratom offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so they are sure to meet your expectations. Furthermore, in their collection of strains, you will find varieties such as Red Sumatra and White Bali.

What we love about VIP Kratom:

  • Best kratom on the market
  • Extensive quality control
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Same-day shipping policy

What’s not so good:

  • Expensive products

4. Green Leaf Kratom

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

Green Leaf Kratom

2 / 5
Ranked 152 out of 195 vendors

Green Leaf Kratom is an excellent choice for users looking to try rare and hard-to-find strains. For example, you’ll find exotic varieties such as Green Riau, Red Hulu Kapuas, and White Asia on their menu.

However, there are a couple of things we don’t like about Green Leaf Kratom. First, it is one of the few brands in this top that does not offer third-party lab-test results, and also, its prices are high.

What we love about Green Leaf Kratom:

  • Extensive strain collection
  • Hundreds of reviews online
  • Most varieties come in both capsule and powder form

What’s not so good:

  • Serious lack of transparency
  • It doesn’t offer third-party lab-test results

5. Kats Botanicals

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

Kats Botanicals

4.5 / 5
Ranked 13 out of 195 vendors

Kats Botanicals has earned a fantastic reputation among kratom users, offering blends of different grape varieties and herbs. For example, one of their best sellers is Digital Buddha, a mix of green, red, and white-vein kratom.

In addition, their prices are very competitive and can cost as much as $34.99 per quarter kilo. Their shipping is fast and efficient, and purchases over $100 are free.

What we love about Kats Botanicals:

  • Offers hard-to-get blends
  • More than five years of experience

What’s not so good:

  • Confusing website

6. Remarkable Herbs

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $6.49 — $85.99
Verified Vendor

Remarkable Herbs Kratom

4 / 5
Ranked 42 out of 195 vendors

Remarkable Herbs has been one of the best-known brands in the market for over 20 years. Although they do not have the widest variety of kratom, their products are of excellent quality and are reasonably priced.

The only drawback with Remarkable Herbs is that they only sell in bulk. However, their products are available in over 15,000 smoke shops nationwide.

What we love about Remarkable Herbs:

  • A well-known kratom company
  • Reasonable prices
  • Readily available in thousands of retail stores

What’s not so good:

  • It only sells wholesale

7. Chief Kratom

Aka GMP Certified no
Pricing $11.99 — $

Chief Kratom

4.0 / 5
Ranked 45 out of 195 vendors

Chief Kratom is another seller that does not sell directly to the user, so you will have to look for their products in the different stores in your city. Still, it offers potent kratom extracts at an excellent price — a 12 ml bottle runs for about $11.99 in most stores.

Furthermore, the quality of its products is also remarkable, as they are 100% pure Mitragyna speciosa.

What we love about Chief Kratom:

  • Excellent prices
  • Highly potent extracts
  • Water-soluble formula

What’s not so good:

  • It doesn’t sell directly to customers

8. Happy Hippo Herbals

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $7.00 — $35.00
Verified Vendor

Happy Hippo

4.5 / 5
Ranked 11 out of 195 vendors

At Happy Hippo Herbals, you can find kratom products of excellent quality, although at relatively high prices — for example, a kilo costs $204.99.

They have a wide variety of products, and you can find rare strains such as White Hulu Kapuas, Red Kali, and Yellow Vietnam. However, many customers complain about the poor performance of their website, saying that it is sometimes confusing.

What we love about Happy Hippo Herbals:

  • Huge variety of strains
  • Potent, high-quality kratom

What’s not so good:

  • Confusing website
  • Expensive products

Which Kratom Strain Should I Use?

Taking kratom can have varied effects depending on the strain and color of the veins you choose to use. This will probably seem confusing if you are a beginner, so further below, we will explain these concepts and break down the most popular varieties.

When we talk about strains, we refer to the different chemical variations between species, which cause a contrast in their alkaloid balance. But, when we talk about the color of the veins, we refer to the plant’s maturity. However, you can only appreciate the color before it is pulverized.

Green Vein Kratom Powder

Unlike the other varieties, green vein kratom powder is mild and balanced, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Its strains can be both relaxing and uplifting and possess few side effects.

Green Malay

Green Malay can be a great choice if you have never tried kratom, thanks to the calm and carefree headspace it provides. Many people use it for social settings and relaxing after a long day of work.

Green Bali

Green Bali is a bit more potent than the other green strains, so we recommend taking it with care. Its intense effects energize or are nootropic, so it will help you perform during the day.

Green Thai

Many Green Thai users highlight the excellent feeling of peace and well-being it promotes. This strain will help you calm your anxiety and take away your nerves.

Red Vein Kratom Powder

Red vein kratom powder has powerful sedative and relaxing effects, so we recommend that you use it at night. Many of its strains can help you fall asleep in minutes, making it an excellent choice for those who have insomnia.

Red Bali

Red Bali is an exception to the red strains, as its effects can be energizing in low doses. However, it stands out for being an excellent analgesic, ideal for people who suffer from chronic pain.

Red Horn

Red Horn is the favorite of many long-time users, as it has potent analgesic properties while promoting deep, restful sleep. However, its effects depend on the dose you take.

Red Sumatra

If you are looking to fall asleep fast, Red Sumatra may be an option, as it is one of the most sedative strains available. Still, many people mainly use it to calm anxiety.

White Vein Kratom Powder

If you are looking for potent stimulant effects, we recommend you to go for white vein kratom powder. Its excellent nootropic and anxiolytic effects will help you to perform better daily.

White Borneo

White Borneo is one of the most famous and easy-to-find varieties and is perfect for beginners. In addition to promoting energy, it will also provide you with a pleasant feeling of calmness, so it is excellent for increasing your productivity while staying relaxed.

White Bali

White Bali is another good choice for beginners, as its energizing effects are gentle and easy to manage. In addition, you are very unlikely to suffer from side effects such as nausea or anxiety.

White Sumatra

White Sumatra is the most energizing strain of all, so we recommend you be attentive to the dose you take. Its high concentration of mitragynine will provide you with a tremendous boost that will last you all day long.

Can You Become Addicted to Kratom?

Yes, kratom can become addictive if used irresponsibly, so we recommend taking it carefully and respecting your dosages.

The first symptoms of kratom addiction usually manifest themselves psychologically, with uncomfortable feelings of pain, anxiety, or depression. Then, physical dependence tends to appear after having abused the herb for a long time, to the point that your body gets used to its constant presence.

However, kratom isn’t as addictive as many drugs, so it is easier to quit. If you stop using it for a prolonged period, the effects of irritation, anxiety, and general discomfort disappear.

Why Isn’t Kratom Used in Traditional Medicine?

Kratom is a popular herb in Southeast Asia and is present in traditional Asian medicine.

It is not used in traditional Western medicine because there is not enough research on it. However, thanks to its recent increase in popularity, we believe this will change soon.

Is Kratom an Opioid?

No, kratom is not an opioid, but it interacts with opioid receptors.

Many people assume kratom is an opioid because it produces similar analgesic and euphoric effects depending on the dose.

However, its alkaloids are very different from opioids, which interact with the mu-opioid system and stimulate serotonin and dopamine receptors. Unlike opioids, kratom can dissolve muscle tension.

For this reason, many people use kratom to cope with opioid withdrawal. Still, you risk developing tolerance if you abuse it, so we recommend using it responsibly and taking breaks.

Conclusion: Where to Buy Kratom in Durham

In short, kratom is legal in Durham and throughout North Carolina, and apparently, it will stay that way. However, stay tuned to the news as anti-kratom authorities constantly seek to ban it.

While there are some good stores in the city, we recommend that you stick to online sellers. Vendors like Kona Kratom, Star Kratom, and VIP Kratom offer premium products that are impossible to get any other way.