Is Kratom Legal in Peru?

Written by Audrey Webber
Last Updated 2 years ago

Audrey Webber

Anthropologist & Freelance Writer

Kratom is legal in Peru.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) isn’t classified as an illegal drug in Peru.

Of course, Peru has different standards for drugs. You can legally carry up to 5 grams of cocaine paste, 8 grams of marijuana, 1 gram of opium latex, or 250 mg of ecstasy without getting into trouble.

This article will explore kratom’s legal status in Peru and how to use and source it safely.

Kratom Laws in Peru

Kratom is unregulated in Peru. Like most of Peru’s neighboring countries, kratom, nor its active alkaloids, are listed anywhere on the countries list of prohibited substances.

Kratom laws are controversial and can vary a lot from one country to another. In South America, many countries don’t have any official stance towards it.

Others, such as Italy, Israel, Poland, and most Southeast Asia countries have moved to officially ban it.

The US, Canada, and much of Europe don’t ban it but do place kratom on their watch list — waiting to see if there are any statistics that suggest kratom is harmful to public health. So far, this doesn’t appear to be the case in places where kratom is legal.

Can I Buy Kratom in Peru?

Yes, you can buy kratom in Peru.

Kratom hasn’t caught on in Peru, but you can source it from a couple of local online vendors. You may also find it in a smoke shop or at a local gas station. 

Buying it online is much safer than using illicit sources. When you purchase kratom from just anyone, you could also be getting an adulterated product. This is not safe and could even come with lethal consequences.

Therefore, stay on the safe side by ordering from a reputable online vendor.

Why is Kratom Banned in Some Countries?

It’s hard to say why kratom has been banned in other countries. Yes, most of them make vague claims about protecting people’s health. But the reality is that kratom is generally well-tolerated, which makes these claims seem odd.

Kratom has been used in cultural and religious ceremonies since at least the 19th century, long before there were bans.

Countries that have banned kratom have done so without much evidence to back their decision.

Some nations have pointed to kratom as deadly, but they’re missing the required nuance: kratom is only fatal when mixed with another substance such as an opioid.

Will kratom eventually be seen as an important drug for medical reasons, just like marijuana? Only time can tell. 

Kratom Use: A Quick History

The misuse of opioid drugs has resulted in millions of deaths and hospitalizations worldwide.

Kratom offers many of the pain-relieving effects as opioids but with a very low risk for addiction and lethal overdose, causing several people throughout the Western World to take notice of kratom.

In fact, early adopters of kratom in the Western World first noticed it in the early 1900s. About one hundred years later, kratom has become massively popular.

In Southeast Asia, residents turned to kratom as traditional medicine. This practice has continued since at least the 19th century. According to locals, some people have used kratom to treat fevers, pain, and diarrhea. 

Known Side Effects of Kratom

Moderate usage does not typically come with side effects.

However, if you exceed 12 grams per day, you’re more likely to deal with side effects. 

Some of the most common side effects of kratom are: 

It’s possible to become addicted to kratom, but it’s a very rare experience [1]. You can protect yourself from kratom addiction by never taking more than 12 grams at a time.

Kratom Deaths: Can Kratom be Fatal?

No, kratom isn’t fatal on its own.

However, mixing kratom with another substance renders it quite dangerous.

There have been several studies into kratom worldwide. Scientists have discovered that mixing opioids and kratom typically leads to death [2].

Never mix kratom with an opioid.

This is not responsible usage, leading to side effects, including death.

What is the Correct Dosage for Kratom?

The typical kratom dose is between 2 grams and 12 grams.

Microdosing has also become popular, which means taking less than 2 grams at a time. If you try to exceed 12 grams, it increases your risk of side effects.

Be aware that everyone responds differently to kratom. Therefore, you should never hop right into high doses. Instead, take 2 grams and see how it treats you. If necessary, you can increase your dosage. This is by far the safest way to take kratom.

Use a kratom dose calculator to find the right amount if you want more specifics.

How to Take Kratom Safely

Kratom is available in many formats. For example, you could toss ‘n wash it, brew the powder into a tea, or take it in a capsule.

When taking kratom, NEVER mix it with any other substance

s, including substances that don’t typically have a lot of negative interactions, such as tobacco. It’s also wise to steer clear of alcohol consumption as well.

Mixing kratom with painkillers is a terrible idea.

It’s best to take kratom sourced from a reputable online vendor. Failure to do so could lead to you unknowingly purchasing a contaminated product and can cause significant health issues, including death.  

Key Takeaway: Is Kratom Legal in Peru?

Yes, kratom is legal in Peru.

According to Peru’s relaxed drug laws, you can even have up to 8 grams of marijuana on you without getting into trouble. There doesn’t appear to be any guidelines for how much kratom you can have, so stay with a low amount to be on the safe side. 

Always remember never to exceed 12 grams of kratom at a time. This is the best way to protect yourself from side effects. As long as you take kratom responsibly, you should be able to enjoy its many effects without worries. 

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