Kratom (Mytragina speciosa) finds its origin in Southeast Asia, mainly Indonesia and Malaysia. Many people use it for its medicinal properties, but not everyone has access to its benefits.
This article examines the different attempts to regulate kratom in South Dakota and many other vital aspects surrounding this powerful herb.
Is Kratom Legal In South Dakota?
Kratom is legal in South Dakota.
This state takes a neutral position on the regulation of this plant, as the state has few laws regarding kratom.
The only legislation that currently affects kratom in the Mount Rushmore State is Bill HB1262, a regulatory act that prohibits sale to people under 21 years old.
The Best Places To Buy Kratom In South Dakota
There are two options for buying kratom in South Dakota. Legally, it’s the same to buy online or in physical stores. However, there are many practical differences.
When looking for kratom, you should prioritize different factors, such as price, quality, and selection.
On all these three points, online stores are the best option.
First of all, online stores don’t use intermediaries, which makes their prices better. Secondly, quality is essential when buying kratom, and online stores are more likely to send products out for third-party testing.
VIP Kratom, Star Kratom, and Kona Kratom are three examples of how a kratom business can offer a wide selection of high-quality kratom with competitive prices.
Finally, some people prefer to be discreet when getting it for personal reasons. Online will be, once again, your best bet —you receive a discreet package in the comfort of your home.
It’s easy to find kratom capsules or powder in physical stores and even some gas stations, but these stores do not usually specialize in this product and don’t pay nearly enough attention to how it’s stored. Prices are also higher, and there’s usually no guarantee of safety or quality.
That said, if you need to get your kratom in-store, here are some physical vendors in South Dakota:
- GrassRoots (Rapid City)
- Thrifty Smoke Shop (Rapid City)
- High-End Glass & Tobacco (Sioux Falls)
- Common Sense (Sioux Falls)
- Smokes N Things (Spearfish)
- Midtown Smoke Shop & Casino (Watertown)
Tips For Buying Kratom Safely
Whether it’s regulated or not, it’s always wise to double-check your source of kratom. Don’t risk your health by buying kratom that’s full of chemicals, bacteria or happens to be low quality and ineffective. Here are a few things to ask about a company.
1. Does the Company Have Safeguards In Place?
The only way to prove a product’s quality is through third-party testing. This confirms everything that’s in the kratom, or better yet, everything that isn’t.
Certification from the American Kratom Association is another way companies can prove authenticity. The American Kratom Association (AKA) is responsible for safeguarding the rights of Americans to consume kratom legally and safely.
Within its website, the association expresses its four main goals, which are:
- Support consumers
- Educate
- Amplify medicinal use
- Generate awareness and protect natural resources.
This association offers various affiliate programs for kratom suppliers. Affiliated vendors must submit products for an annual audit by an external laboratory. If the product meets the quality standards, the seller obtains a certification.
A company with both lab results and AKA certification is likely reputable.
2. Does the Company Have a Good Reputation?
The reputation of a company reflects its ethics.
Customer reviews will let you know how the company handles customer service and the overall quality of the products it sells. As a general rule, you should never get kratom from a vendor who has more negative reviews than good ones.
Related: The 10 Best Kratom Vendors Online
3. Does the Company Have the Strains & Products I Need?
There are many strains of kratom, and they’re all different from one another. A straightforward way to classify them is by vein color, which is a good indicator of the effects. You can only differentiate one vein color from another on the kratom leaf; it all looks the same in powder form.
There are many strains within each color vein, and the effects all vary. Some are energizing and do better at giving you a mid-day kick, while others are potent pain-relievers and can be highly sedative.
It’s great to have a variety on hand so you can pick and choose — or make your own blend — but many local shops carry a very limited selection. Even some online vendors don’t have much to offer.
Because of this, it’s vital to choose a company that has the strains that will benefit you.
Don’t know where to start? That’s okay. The following section covers everyday things you can use kratom for and the strains that work best.
How to Choose the Right Strain
With so many options, it’s hard to know what kratom to choose, and if you go to a store, you likely won’t find the help you need.
This list isn’t exhaustive, but hopefully, it’ll get you on the right path and at least offer insight into each strain so you can narrow down your choices.
All you really need to know is the following:
Red strains are great for relaxation and calming effects; use these for pain, insomnia, and anxiety.
White strains are energizing and provide focus, clarity, creativity, and motivation; use these for energy and a quick mood boost and are the best strain for depression.
Green strains are an in-between; they’re not overly stimulating or sedating and are suitable for mild pain relief, but the effects largely depend on the dose.
The Right Kratom For Energy & Focus
Many people turn to kratom in hopes of increasing their focus and improving their energy. Fortunately, kratom is an excellent nootropic. However, not all strains serve this purpose.
If you’re using kratom for stimulating effects, you’ll need a white kratom strain in low amounts. As you up the dose, the opioid-agonist nature could overtake the stimulation.
The Right Kratom For Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety and depression are attacking today’s generation fiercely. Unfortunately, these two psychological pandemics are becoming increasingly common, and we all know someone who suffers from one or both.
If this is you, the first thing to know is a light at the end of the road. And no, this is not kratom. With proper treatment, you can overcome these conditions.
That said, kratom can be an excellent tool to accompany conventional therapies.
If you want to see if kratom can help anxiety and depression, choose red vein for anxiety, and white kratom for depression.
The Right Kratom For Opioid Withdrawal
There’s a bit of irony in it, but kratom is an excellent way to relieve opiate withdrawal symptoms, especially red vein, as it interacts with opioid receptors.
Some states, and individuals, fear kratom because of its opioid-like effects. And while there is some danger of addiction, the side effects, risks, and potential for abuse are nowhere near those of prescription painkillers.
However, it is essential to clarify that kratom is not an opioid, but it produces similar effects due to its similar mechanism of action.
Apart from considerably reducing withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and involuntary muscle movements, kratom reduces opiate cravings due to the similarity in its effects.
The Right Kratom For Pain Relief
Before treating any discomfort with kratom, it’s essential to determine where the pain comes from. If you just try to cover it with painkillers, you may be ignoring a significant health problem.
Red vein kratom is an excellent analgesic due to its interaction with opioid receptors. Thus, the painkilling capabilities of kratom are similar to opioids’ but without the side effects and addiction potential.
How to Use Kratom Safely
Kratom is safe, but you have to use it right. Fortunately, this is simple to do.
1. Start With Safe Products
No amount of safe dosing will matter if your kratom is tainted with chemicals or bacteria. Make sure you follow the above guidelines and only buy third-party tested products. If you need a starting point, check out this top ten vendors list.
2. Use Kratom As Little As Possible
Kratom does not have a high dependency potential, and you can easily avoid most side effects. However, it’s possible to generate some unhealthy habits if you don’t respect the dose or the frequency.
How much is too much?
While an adequate amount of kratom can significantly benefit you, an excessive dose will do the opposite. We divide kratom dosages into three categories:
- Low dose (1 – 3 g)
- Medium dose (3 – 5 g)
- High dose (5 – 8 g)
The ideal dose will be the one that treats your discomfort, but no more. The key is to stay at the lowest effective amount to avoid generating tolerance and dependence.
3. Use Kratom As Infrequently As Possible
Everyone has different needs and thresholds, but it’s important only to use kratom when you need it, just like other over-the-counter medications. Problems happen when you take ibuprofen or acetaminophen too often, and while kratom is different, it’s not wise to use it too much.
Related: How Long Should I Wait Between Kratom Doses?
Side Effects of Kratom
Kratom can cause side effects but remember, most of them only appear when you use kratom irresponsibly.
Some adverse effects you might encounter are:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Lethargy
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Anxiety
Keep in mind that it’s unsafe to consume kratom during pregnancy or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
What’s the Future of Kratom In South Dakota?
As we discussed in the article, there seems to be no indication of an upcoming ban on kratom in South Dakota. Simultaneously, more and more people are starting to use kratom therapeutically, and its benefits continue to come to light regularly.
It seems the whole country is inevitably walking towards legalization and regulation.
While kratom is unregulated for people over 21, play it safe by going with reliable vendors like VIP Kratom, Star Kratom, and Kona Kratom.
