Is Kratom Legal in Pennsylvania? (& Where to Get It)

Written by Audrey Webber
Last Updated 1 year ago

Audrey Webber

Anthropologist & Freelance Writer

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an herb native to Southern Asia. More specifically, it primarily grows in Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. You may commonly find it in the form of powder or capsules, and it has many benefits for human health.

Despite kratom’s benefits, many countries have forbidden its use. It is legal in the USA, even though each state has its regulations.

Following up, we’ll talk about the most important aspects of this herb, including its legal status in the state of Pennsylvania.

Is Kratom Legal in Pennsylvania?

Kratom is legal in Pennsylvania. The substance is unclassified, as there isn’t any regulation surrounding it. Some citizens organized against it in 2019, but this had no legal consequences.

The same year,  Bill PA HR460 was passed by the Pennsylvania Senate, urging the FDA to consider regulations for the kratom industry. In addition, both citizens and organizations like the American Kratom Association (AKA) call for legislation for the safe consumption of the herb.

As the substance is legal, you may buy it in the state without any problem.

Where to Buy Kratom in Pennsylvania

You may easily find kratom in tobacco and herb stores, both online and physically. Most kratom users prefer to buy it online, and we recommend you to follow this trend, but why?

Benefits of buying kratom online:

  • Cheaper —prices are frequently lower than on in-store vendors.
  • Safer —the quality of the product is better. You can buy kratom certified by laboratories and see the ratings other users give to it.
  • Broader —you’ll find many different strains and be able to choose the one that adapts to your needs.

If you prefer going to an in-store vendor, here are some in-store kratom vendors in Pennsylvania:

  • Grasshopper Gift Shop (Lewisburg)
  • Puff & Bean Inc. (Carlisle) 
  • Sunoco Mini Mart (Vape Shop, CBD, Kratom & Elite Glass Store) (Coraopolis)
  • Herbal Equipment and Distribution (Altoona)
  • Hippie and the Hound Vapor Store and Lounge (Erie)

Find Kratom Near You

Check out where to buy kratom in these cities in Pennsylvania:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Kratom 101

Kratom belongs to the Rubiaceae family, just like coffee, with whom it shares its stimulating properties. However, kratom’s effects can vary depending on various factors, going from stimulating to sedative. That being the case, we will detail each strain and its features.

1. There Are Many Different Strains Of Kratom

Kratom strains carry varying amounts of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the two main active alkaloids. Therefore, the effects you get from each strain will vary considerably. Kratom strains are categorized into white, red, and green veins.

Below, we will present to you the different characteristics of each one.

A) White Vein Kratom

White vein kratom has a high concentration of 7-hydroxymitragynine. It increases energy and works as a nootropic, stimulant, and muscle relaxant. When used in small doses, it’s more stimulating.

B) Red Vein Kratom

Red vein kratom is also rich in mitragynine, which targets opioid receptors. It is the most popular strain as it is calming and soothing, working as a sedative, analgesic, and anxiolytic. It helps you relax, sleep, and manage pain. In addition, it may cause euphoria in higher doses.

C) Green Vein Kratom

Green Vein Kratom is characterized by its deep green color and tends to be the cheapest of all three strain categories. It has a stimulating effect, also working as a painkiller, sedative, nootropic, and mood-supportive.

2. Kratom Boosts Energy & Focus

Kratom helps to increase concentration and focus, especially white vein strains. It has high 7-hydroxymitragynine content, which makes it works as a stimulant, boosting your attention throughout the day.

3. Kratom Dose

There is no right or wrong in kratom dosage, and each user requires a different amount. That said, as a general rule, we recommend consuming as little as you need and as little as often as possible.

Kratom Dosage Breakdown

  • Microdose (less than 1 gram)
  • Low dose (1 – 3 g)
  • Medium dose (3 – 5 g)
  • High dose (5 – 8 g)

Related: What’s the dose of kratom?

4. Kratom is a Powerful Pain-Reliever

Red vein kratom is a great pain reliever, as it contains mitragynine —a mu-opioid agonist alkaloid that makes it as effective as pharma-grade painkillers.

That said, we recommend you consult with a professional if you have a persisting discomfort before treating it with kratom.

5. Kratom May Support Opioid Withdrawal

Kratom has the potential to alleviate the symptoms of opiate withdrawal. This is because it has similar effects and action mechanisms to opioids. Red vein strains tend to work best, once again, because of their high mitragynine content.

You may need high doses to treat opioid withdrawals —proceed with caution.

6. Kratom May Alleviate Anxiety & Depression

It’s not easy to alleviate anxiety symptoms, even with prescription meds. Luckily, kratom can be a fantastic tool to combat this psychological disorder. The mitragynine on red vein kratom strains will help downplay the stress.

On the other hand, people suffering from depression tend to find relief in white vein kratom due to its stimulant nature.

Is Kratom Safe?

Kratom is safe, but only if used adequately. If you take bigger dosages than you need or take it too frequently, you’ll increase the chances of experimenting with kratom’s side effects.

Side Effects of Kratom

Side effects of kratom appear only when it’s used imprudently. As long as you don’t overdo it, you will experience more benefits rather than side effects.

The side effects of kratom include:

  • Lethargy
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Gastrointestinal issues

It’s contraindicated to use kratom during pregnancy or under the influence of alcohol.

What’s The Future of Kratom in Pennsylvania?

Luckily, kratom is legal in Pennsylvania, and it’s relatively straightforward to get it in there. Currently, no law affects it, but the debate on the regulation of kratom is starting to arise.

We don’t know when, but we believe that kratom will be regulated in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, though, each user will have to stand for their safety in the meantime.

If you’re in Pennsylvania, don’t forget that you can get high-quality & lab-tested kratom with VIP Kratom, Star Kratom, and Kona Kratom.