Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an extract from a southeast Asian tree in the coffee family (Rubiaceae), traditionally used for medicinal and recreational purposes. The herb has been gaining increasing popularity worldwide and in the United States.
This article will inform you of crucial information regarding kratom, including its legality, local suppliers near you, and strains. By the end, you will know how to safely acquire it in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where it remains perfectly legal.
Is Kratom Legal in Pittsburgh?
Yes, kratom is entirely legal in Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania.
Only some US states and a handful of countries have decided to ban kratom, and Pennsylvania is fortunately not one of them. However, the Pennsylvanian authorities passed PA HB460 urging the FDA to take action on kratom, though no legal consequences derived from it.
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) reviewed kratom and stated it wasn’t a threat despite the FDA’s attempts to ban the herb. Still, the WHO will be keeping the substance under surveillance.
Top 7 Kratom Shops in Pittsburgh
Many physical stores sell kratom in Pittsburgh, and finding the right one may prove challenging. That’s why we’ve created a list of the best ones according to our experience.
1. Smoke Wizard
With reasonable prices, exceptional customer service, and high-quality products, you will find yourself right at home in this store. Their selection of kratom is decent, though they mainly specialize in CBD products and accessories.
Visit them at 5874 Forbes Ave, or give them a call on (412) 422-3381. Unfortunately, they have no website that we know of.
2. Smoke Glass Vape
Customers love this shop and its laid-back atmosphere. They have a wide selection of goods ranging from functioning glass art to smoking products. Their kratom selection may be limited but has excellent quality.
Visit them at 2817 Brownsville Rd, call them at (412) 254-2720, or visit their official website if you have any doubts regarding their stock.
3. Glassworx Gallery
Specializing in glasswork since 2014, this shop has made its mission to give its customers the best products and services possible. Some of their more popular kratom strains are White Borneo and Green Maeng Da.
Visit them at 1321 E Carson St, or give them a call at (412) 586-7692 for further inquiries. You may also check out their Facebook page, though it is a bit outdated.
4. Glass Gone Wow
Specializing in vaping ware and e-cigarettes, this shop welcomes you with an incredibly patient staff and a comprehensive selection of products that don’t disappoint.
Check out their shop personally at 1409 E Carson St. Alternatively, give them a call at (412) 904-3184, or visit their official website.
5. GWC Vape Shop
Yet another store that specializes in vaping, GWC Vape Shop astonishes customers with its vast collection of unique products. The store provides impressive quality and purity on their kratom, and their extensive selection of strains put other stores to shame.
Visit their neat store at 2010 Murray Ave, or give them a call on (412) 421-1848. Sadly, they have no website that we know of.
6. LaBoroTory PGH
This is the one-stop-shop for all your needs ranging from glasswork to smoking needs and even supplements. Furthermore, their staff focuses on educating their customers beyond the shopping experience. Their premium selection and prices make this a hard one to miss.
Pay them a visit at 601 East Carson St. Also, you may give them a call at (412) 251-5635 or visit their official website should you have any doubts.
7. Tobacco 4 Less
Tobacco 4 Less is one of the largest glass emporiums, providing you with everything for your smoking needs. With a decade of experience in the market, they sell a limited selection of high-quality kratom. Among their best strains are Red Indo and Green Maeng Da.
You’ll find this shop in Aliquippa, at 2719 Brodhead Rd. Try calling them at (724) 788-1398 or visiting their official website for further inquiries.
Looking for Kratom In Another City?
Check out these other spots in Pennsylvania:
Why It’s Better to Order Kratom Online
Despite helping local stores develop, there are clear advantages to shopping for kratom online.
On the first hand, there is the matter of cost, which is significantly reduced by ordering through the internet. There is just no competition regarding price and availability when comparing an online retailer to a physical business.
Another benefit of online shopping is the quality you’ll receive. The kratom market exposes you to some uncertainties in the purity of your product, which are wholly bypassed by third-party testing and customer reviews. Less handling further increases this quality gap.
Last but not least, there is the aspect of simplicity. Technology has come a long way, and today we can buy something across the country with a few clicks. Moreover, your purchase arrives directly at your doorstep.
Generally speaking, buying with a single swipe from the comfort of your home is hard to beat.
Kratom Vendors That Ship to Pittsburgh
We know that finding a reliable retailer can be tricky sometimes, and that’s why we are providing you with a list of the best kratom vendors around. These companies make sure to test their kratom and will ship to Pittsburgh and all over Pennsylvania.
1. Kona Kratom
Kona Kratom
Kona Kratom is one of the leaders in the industry. They boast excellent prices and direct contact with farmers all over Vietnam, Thailand, Borneo, and Indonesia to ensure the rarest and highest-quality strains in the market.
Why you should choose Kona Kratom:
- More than 20 lab-tested strains in both capsule and powder form
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Free shipping
2. Star Kratom
Star Kratom
Star Kratom is one of the newest additions to the market, yet it differentiated itself from other stores thanks to its quick shipping and fantastic kratom quality.
Why you should choose Star Kratom:
- Same or next-day shipping
- Worldwide shipping
- All of their products are lab-tested
3. VIP Kratom
VIP Kratom
VIP Kratom specializes in high-quality, high-potency kratom. Their prices are high but 100% worth it, and they sell plenty of strains, so you should have no trouble suiting your needs. Experienced users tend to choose this brand because of the strength of their products.
Why you should choose VIP Kratom:
- One of the highest standards of quality and potency on the market
- Discounts when buying in bulk
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee
4. Golden Monk
Golden Monk Kratom
Golden Monk is one of the oldest suppliers on the market, and as such, it frequently offers significant discounts and sales. Make sure to sign-up for their newsletter, so you never miss any.
Why you should choose Golden Monk:
- Loyalty-points system
- One of the cheapest when buying in bulk
- Kratom sourced directly from Indonesia
5. Green Leaf Kratom
Green Leaf Kratom
Green Leaf Kratom offers an astounding amount of strains, with over 30 different ones sourced directly from the tropical regions of Bali and Indonesia. The only reason why they are not further up on the list is the low amount of discounts they offer throughout the year.
Why you should choose Green Leaf Kratom:
- Free shipping in the US
- Discrete packaging
- Great variety of strains
6. Gaia Kratom
Gaia (Mitragaia) Kratom
Gaia Kratom, formerly ‘Mitragaia,’ has over six years of experience on the market and are renowned for their reliability. In addition, they specialize in raw kratom powder, which they lab-test before selling.
Why you should choose Gaia Kratom:
- Specialized products, including tablets
- Loyalty program
- Cryptocurrency payments
7. Kat’s Botanicals
Kats Botanicals
Kat’s Botanicals sells kratom and CBD oils, vaporizers, and much more. They also provide a few exotic strains that you might not find available in other stores. Additionally, the brand offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee with a 30-day refund.
Why you should choose Kat’s Botanical:
- Thousands of positive reviews
- Unique pet-friendly products
- Free shipping
8. Happy Hippo Herbals
Happy Hippo
This brand is a good choice for those that love getting their kratom at a discount. Happy Hippo Herbals constantly offers discounts on their wacky website, and almost all of their strains are in powder, capsule, or extract form. Still, their prices are pretty high, with a kilo of kratom costing as much as $290.
Why you should choose Happy Hippo Herbals:
- Same-day shipping
- Impressive variety
- Unique beginner-friendly approach on strains
Which Kratom Strain Should I Use?
There are dozens of different kratom strains, and each of them provides a varied range of effects going from pain-killing to energy-boosting. Each strain is categorized by the color of the leaf’s veins.
Green Vein Kratom Powder
Green vein kratom powder is the most balanced of the strains, somewhat in the middle of relaxing and stimulating. But of course, there are some exceptions to the norm, like the very-stimulating Green Bali.
Here are the five top-rated green-vein kratom strains:
Green Malay
Green Malay is noted for its relaxing and euphoric effects and is considered a potent anxiolytic. In addition, many users say it is an excellent alternative to alcohol, as it acts as a social lubricant, loosening anxiety.
Green Borneo
Green Borneo has relaxing and stimulating effects, making it a balanced painkiller. It is one of the most accessible strains to find on the market.
Green Bali
Green Bali is more stimulating than the others, with some people even comparing it to the effects of coffee. However, many sellers offer lower quality of this strain, so we recommend ordering this strain in reliable stores.
Green Thai
Green Thai will make you feel a sense of well-being and calmness. Many people report feeling euphoric as well. In any case, it is a stimulating strain with mild effects.
Green Sumatra
Green Sumatra has longer-lasting effects than other strains, although it also varies according to the sellers.
Red Vein Kratom Powder
Red vein kratom powders are the most popular strains among those looking for sedative and pain-killing effects. These strains are common to find, making them available in almost every variety.
Particularly high in the alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine, you should be conservative with the dosage, at least during the first few times. The most potent painkiller variety to date is the Red Maeng Da strain.
Here are the five top-rated red-vein kratom strains:
Red Bali
Red Bali is ideal for those looking for a powerful painkiller but who don’t want it to take all their energy. Many people use it to soothe some muscle pain while doing other things.
Red Thai
Red Thai is ideal for experienced users because of its euphoric effects. In addition, it generates a strong feeling of inner peace, just like the green variety of the same strain.
Red Horn
Red Horn is a potent analgesic that grows naturally in Borneo, Indonesia. However, some people also report feeling energizing effects.
Red Sumatra
Red Sumatra produces feelings of harmony and peace while being very relaxing. Therefore, people choose it mainly to take before going to sleep.
Red Borneo
Red Borneo is ideal for counteracting chronic muscular pain thanks to its excellent sedative properties. Besides being a potent analgesic, it has few side effects.
White Vein Kratom Powder
White vein kratom powder has opposite effects to red-veined strains, being only mildly analgesic and sedative but highly stimulating in return. These varieties are excellent choices in small doses for people looking for a nootropic.
Many users replace their morning coffee with one of these to promote concentration. Furthermore, the most stimulating white vein kratom strain is White Horn.
Here are the five top-rated white-vein kratom strains:
White Borneo
White Borneo is probably the most common strain, as almost all kratom vendors possess it. It is an excellent stimulant that promotes concentration and mood improvements, ideal for long days of work or study.
White Thai
Many artists choose White Thai because it enhances creativity, and it’s also ideal for those needing to relax in social settings.
White Bali
White Bali has an excellent balance of alkaloids, so it produces very few side effects. Therefore, it is ideal for those looking for a mild analgesic without losing energy.
White Sumatra
White Sumatra is ideal for those looking to get a lot of energy, as it is one of the most stimulating strains. In addition, many people say it is better than morning coffee, as it keeps them more awake.
White Indo
White Indo will lift your mood, so it is ideal for those dreadful low self-esteem days. In addition, it is a complete strain as it has stimulating and euphoric effects.
How Much Kratom Should I Take?
Proper dosage depends on multiple factors, though the short answer is between 2 and 12 grams. Anything lower than 2 grams is considered a microdose, while anything between 2 and 6 is a low to standard dose. Additionally, 6 grams and above are considered high doses.
Remember to start with a lower dosage than you think you need for the first time and gradually increase it.
In general, kratom can break down into two kinds of doses, one for stimulation and one for sedation or pain-killing. Considering body weight, stimulation requires 0.025g/lb, while the latter requires at least 0.04g/lb.
Standard dosages also depend on tolerance as well as on the strain used. Therefore, it is not recommended to take kratom every day, as you will build a tolerance and risk a potential addiction.
Kratom’s effects usually kick in after around 30 to 40 minutes with an empty stomach and last for 5 to 6 hours. Still, the half-life of mitragynine, one of kratom’s active ingredients, is roughly 24 hours.
The general rule is that kratom remains detectable for six to seven days with a urine test. However, most drug tests don’t look for kratom specifically.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Take Kratom?
In short, it depends on a plethora of factors that vary on the location where it is used.
Some states have regulated the minimum age for kratom use, while the supplier asks for it in some cases. However, the range tends to fall between 18 and 21 years old. State-wise, there are no age restrictions for Pennsylvania.
How Should I Store Kratom?
Kratom usually degrades very quickly: around three months after harvesting as a rule of thumb. However, we have some storage tips for you, so your kratom lasts much longer.
What you should do:
- Keep your kratom in an airtight container in a dry, coldish space away from UV light
- If taking daily, divide each-day dosage in an individual container
- If storing as tea, brew the kratom, let it cool, and then store in the fridge for up to a week, or transfer to ice cubes and store in the freezer
- Always check your kratom for signs of smell, color, mold, or any kind of decay
What you shouldn’t do:
- Let kratom “breathe,” as it will inevitably oxidize
- Store in a humid place or one with fluctuating temperatures
Conclusion: Where to Buy Kratom in Pittsburgh
It is perfectly legal to buy kratom in Pennsylvania, and several local suppliers are available in Pittsburgh. However, these can impose their restrictions, and you should stay up-to-date on new laws as regulations are always in constant change.
We thoroughly recommend purchasing your kratom online to ensure safety and quality. Furthermore, we believe you’ll get the best experience when ordering from reputable sellers such as Kona Kratom, Star Kratom, and VIP Kratom.
