Is Kratom Legal in Richmond?

Written by Johan Hansen
Last Updated 1 year ago

Johan Hansen

Ex-Kratom Shop Owner

Kratom, also known as Mitragyna speciosa, is an herbal extract found on the leaves of an evergreen tree from Southeast Asia and a relative of the coffee plant. Used for medicinal purposes ever since the nineteenth century, it has just now regained popularity all across the United States.

Besides locating some of the best regional vendors near you, you’ll learn about kratom’s legal status in Richmond, Virginia, how to make a safe purchase, and the rundown on what you need to know before you buy anything.

Is Kratom Legal in Richmond?

Yes, kratom is legal in Virginia; it’s safe to buy in Richmond as well.

Although the herb is currently free to purchase and use, there was a failed attempt to regulate it in 2020. State bill VA HJR39 aimed to get the Virginia Board of Pharmacy to study the herb and reevaluate its status outside the controlled substances list.

Luckily, even when the House Rules Committee had voted in favor of “laying it on the table,” the proposition died at the end of the legislative session that same year.

Other promising things have taken place. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently subjected kratom to review. They concluded that the herb isn’t a threat, but they will keep tabs on it in the future.

We recommend following any updates on kratom-related news if you’re a regular user despite its current legal status.

Top 5 Kratom Shops in Richmond

However comfortable making an online purchase can be, some people still prefer to visit physical stores to acquire their desired strain. In Richmond, you can find several smoke shops with great reviews and an extended assortment of kratom for you to choose from. 

Here, we ranked five of the best shops in the state to help you get started.

1. 3 Stars Vape & Tobacco

If you’re looking to support small business owners, then 3 Stars Vape & Tobacco is your place. Although the store itself is pretty tiny, its kratom selection is far from limited; it’s known for offering unique products at affordable prices.

3 Stars often provides regular clients with various discounts to keep their community engaged. Reviews rave about how the staff treats their customers as family, delivering on-point suggestions and helping them out with whatever doubts surface.

Reach them at (804) 447-1895, or visit the store at 5520 Lakeside Ave, Henrico. You can always check out their website beforehand if you’re aiming to find something specific.

2. Kulture Smoke & Vape

If you’re looking to branch out from your regular smoking accessories, vaporizers, pipes, water pipes, or CBD, Kulture Smoke & Vape is the place to go. Having one of the best product ranges in the market, this store attracts quite a clientele for its extensive kratom assortment.

The herbs it offers are entirely pure, and their prices stay competitive. The reviews on its customer services are mainly positive, as the entire staff is well informed about what they’re selling and their suggestions are always spot on.

Kulture is open from 11 to 20, so try not to be late when visiting the physical store at 1212 1/2 W Cary St. You can also call them at (804) 447-7995 or go on their website.

3. Carytown Tobacco

Ranging from an exhaustive stock of smoking and vaping accessories to other products, such as kratom or CBD, Carytown Tobacco is one of the best retailers in Richmond. Well known for its comprehensive variety, this store provides its clientele with quality strains at reasonable prices.

At Carytown, the employees are all about making the purchase a satisfactory experience, as they are both knowledgeable and patient with their buyers.

Don’t hesitate to visit them personally at 3103 W Cary St, but we suggest calling (804) 342-8016 beforehand. If you’re looking to check out their reviews, you can find them online.

4. Bob Marley Tobacco

Bob Marley Tobacco holds the reigning crown in quality and variety. This store has its kratom tested by a third-party lab and offers a broad range of strains to choose from — their most popular ones being Yellow Vietnam and Green Maeng Da.

The prices over the counter are suitable for its regular customers, making the shop a great pick on our list. The staff is worth mentioning, as reviews rave about them being accommodating, respectful, and extremely kind.

This shop closes late, so time is no issue if you’re looking to pay them a visit at 804 W Broad St. You can also call (804) 716-2511. Unfortunately, they don’t have a website that we know of.

5. Area 51 Smoke Shop

Finding high-quality kratom is not an issue at Area 51 Smoke Shop. This shop is a fan favorite among local buyers, as it keeps its prices affordable while not sacrificing any of the quality it supplies.

If you’re a newcomer to the kratom world, we thoroughly recommend checking them out. Its employees are acquainted with the store’s whole assortment, so they won’t hesitate to lend you a helping hand if you need it.

The store and its ambiance have great reviews too, so visit them physically at 11525 Midlothian Turnpike #106A, Bon Air. You can also find them on Instagram or their webpage.

Find Kratom Near You

Use the following detailed city guides to learn more about buying kratom in Virginia:

Richmond, Virginia, USA downtown skyline on the James River.

Why It’s Better to Order Kratom Online

As legal and unregulated as kratom may be in Virginia, this still doesn’t equal fast and easy purchases. In this section, we will lend you a helping hand in understanding why buying online is the best decision you can make to get quality kratom delivered at your door effortlessly.

Acquiring the herb through the web means a safer purchase since finding tested, pure kratom is easier to do through online retailers than physical shops.

Being discreet is another advantage you should keep in mind when buying. Online purchases are entirely private, and you can always acquire your desired kratom strain — or a new one — without leaving your house. Certain retailers will ship your kratom in inconspicuous packaging to avoid unnecessary attention.

Finally, acquiring substances through online sellers means getting them straight from the manufacturer, bypassing intermediaries, and the chance of ending up with contaminated products.

In addition, purchasing kratom online comes with reasonable fees, a better quality-price ratio, and a broader assortment of strains to select from.

The following section will cover the best online vendors in the market and where to find the benefits we previously listed.

Kratom Vendors That Ship to Richmond

We know that picking a trustworthy online retailer is quite a challenging endeavor. Nevertheless, locating one that best meets your expectations will be a good investment in the long run.

That’s why we’ve curated a list of the best vendors that ship directly to Richmond to lend you a helping hand in your online buying journey. They all deliver high-quality, safe products, and some are certified by the American Kratom Association.

1. Kona Kratom

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

Kona Kratom

4.95 / 5
Ranked 1 out of 190 vendors

Kona Kratom supplies a reasonable price-quality ratio in the most mint variety of strains. It’s been our top-notch recommendation for a while now, as it sources its entire merchandise straight from Indonesia, Thailand, Borneo, and Vietnam. If you’re still not convinced, a third-party lab verifies every single one of its products.

This powerhouse store is ideal for beginners too. It offers sample packs to help you locate the perfect strain to meet your needs. Besides, you can also get free shipping if you spend over $29.99.

Kona Kratom’s top picks:

  • Green Malay
  • Red Maeng Da
  • Red Dragon

2. Star Kratom

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

Star Kratom

4.9 / 5
Ranked 2 out of 190 vendors

Star Kratom is becoming a powerful contender among online kratom retailers. With the fastest logistics services in the market, this store has the most difficult-to-beat delivery times. Occasionally, your order can even be delivered hours after purchase.

Their lack of variety may be off-putting to some, but their quality and competitive prices make up for it.

Safety is no issue as they test everything twice, protecting their clientele’s safety and wallets. Star Kratom is well-known for its 30-day money-back guarantee and diligent customer service.

Star Kratom’s top picks:

  • Red Bali
  • Green Maeng Da
  • Green Malay

3. VIP Kratom

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

VIP Kratom

4.85 / 5
Ranked 4 out of 190 vendors

VIP Kratom specializes in bringing premium kratom from its sources to your door. We can’t deny its prices are slightly higher than its competitors, yet we know it’s worth it considering the quality of its goods.

Due to its outstanding quality, this retailer’s kratom can be quite a bit more potent than what you might be used to, so we recommend trying out smaller doses. If you are looking for quality Green Hulu, this is the place you need to visit.

VIP Kratom’s top picks:

  • Red Sumatra
  • White Maeng Da
  • Green Hulu

4. Gaia Kratom

Aka GMP Certified no
Pricing $1.20 — $1200.00
Verified Vendor

Gaia (Mitragaia) Kratom

3 / 5
Ranked 102 out of 190 vendors

With six years on the market under its sleeve, Gaia Kratom, formerly known as Mitragaia, is reputed and loved among kratom buyers. We couldn’t leave this store behind when making this list, having competitive prices and a great variety to choose from.

Gaia focuses mainly on raw powder kratom, yet this doesn’t mean it can’t provide you with tinctures, capsules, or kratom extracts if that’s what you’re looking for instead. We recommend making bulk orders, as they are best known for delivering worthy discounts on large purchases that will help you profit in the long run.

Gaia Kratom’s top picks:

  • Green Batak
  • Red Brunei
  • White JongKong

5. Green Leaf Kratom

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

Green Leaf Kratom

2 / 5
Ranked 149 out of 190 vendors

Although sales and discounts might not be its forte, this doesn’t mean Green Leaf Kratom‘s products are not out of our sight. Delivering strains straight from Southeast Asia in both powder and capsule form, the store maintains its competitiveness on the market.

Some people deem Green Leaf’s prices a bit high, yet you may find them worth it if you value discretion. Last but not least, keep in mind that this store is held in great esteem by cryptocurrency users due to it being one of the few ones to accept such a payment method.

Green Leaf Kratom’s top picks:

  • Red Bali
  • White Borneo
  • Red Maeng Da

6. Remarkable Herbs

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

Remarkable Herbs Kratom

4 / 5
Ranked 44 out of 190 vendors

Remarkable Herbs holds the crown on selling products such as kava and catclaw and kratom itself. They source its products from Southeast Asia, Polynesia, other islands in the Pacific ocean, and the Amazon rainforest.

Due to its herbs coming straight from its aboriginal land, its entire stock is well known for maintaining its freshness from the manufacturer to your door.

It specializes in wholesale, though, and it’s not involved in the retail market. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t find positive reviews on the web for every one of their affordable products.

Remarkable Herbs’ top picks:

  • Green Thai
  • Green Malay
  • Red Bali

7. Kat’s Botanicals

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

Kats Botanicals

4.5 / 5
Ranked 10 out of 190 vendors

Kat’s Botanicals is the perfect match if you’re looking to broaden your purchases. They sell a vast assortment of CBD oils and vape pens, and they help you avoid the bitter flavor that accompanies kratom powder by selling it mainly in capsules.

This store stocks infrequent and exotic strains you wouldn’t be able to get your hands on anywhere else, so their elevated prices may be worth it.

Kat’s Botanicals’ top picks:

  • Green Maeng Da
  • Digital Buddha
  • White Maeng Da

8. Golden Monk

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $39.99 — $254.99
Verified Vendor

Golden Monk Kratom

4.75 / 5
Ranked 5 out of 190 vendors

If discretion is your main concern, then Golden Monk is our top pick for you. You won’t be able to distinguish the content of its boxes from the outside, as it has free shipping.

With a shiny reputation and several years on the market, this store is known for offering deals and discounts on your first purchases — enough to keep you interested.

Due to its reasonable price-quality ratio, Golden Monk is the way to go if you’re a bit short on cash, yet you don’t want to compromise the freshness of your kratom.

Golden Monk’s top picks:

  • Red Bali
  • Green Maeng Da
  • Green Malay

Which Kratom Strain Should I Use?

Discovering the accurate kratom strain to meet your needs and expectations is another choice you’ll have to face when purchasing online or in-store.

As we’ve previously stated, each of these strains has distinguishing qualities, and the best way to discern them is by pinpointing the color of the leaf vein. In the next section, we will describe the varieties and their properties to help further your understanding.

Green Vein Kratom Powder

With the correct dosage, green-veined strains deliver both stimulating and sedative effects. Thus, the meeting point between these opposite forces is green vein kratom powder, making this the most balanced variety of them all.

The top-rated green-vein kratom strains are:

Green Borneo

Green Borneo is our top pick when dealing with anxiety and muscular pain. The strain brings their a-game on both palliative and stimulating effects when used.

Green Thai

Green Thai is a perfect match for beginners and people looking for mild effects. However, this doesn’t imply Green Thai should be considered less than other strains: kratom users are enthusiastic about the outcomes it provides.

Green Sumatra

If long-lasting effects are what you’re looking for, then we most definitely recommend you try Green Sumatra. Its influences tend to stay on your body for extended periods compared to other strains.

Green Malay

Another strain with anxiolytic properties is Green Malay. Sometimes employed as an alternative to alcohol, it supplies the user with a sensation of euphoria, lessening anxiety and encouraging social interaction.

Green Bali

If your goal is to switch up your morning coffee, Green Bali is the perfect non-standard option among the stimulating green-veined strains. Reputable online stores such as Kona Kratom have the best quality stock of this variety.

Red Vein Kratom Powder

A nootropic and potent palliative strain, red vein kratom powder will lend you a helping hand if you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, or muscle pain. Some varieties of this strain can even target insomnia if dosed correctly.

The top-rated red-vein kratom strains are:

Red Bali

Red Bali is perhaps our favorite painkilling pick among the red-veined kratom strains. Although it might evoke a mild feeling of sedation when its effects fade, it is still one of the best on the market.

Red Thai

However similar Red Thai‘s effects might be to its green-vein counterpart, this strain is not mild whatsoever. We recommend keeping this variety for experienced users only, as its side effects are sometimes too much to handle for beginners.

Red Horn

Red Horn‘s batches come directly from Borneo, and its effects tend to vary depending on the bundle. Even if some batches are known to have potent analgesic influences, others end up with the exact opposite outcome, so we suggest being careful when buying.

Red Sumatra

Causing a remarkably similar analgesic effect to Red Thai, Red Sumatra is another quality red strain to keep in mind. If you long for harmony and peace just before going to bed, higher dosages after dinner are the way to go.

Red Borneo

Finally, Red Borneo is a great strain to combat unbearable muscle pain. This strain is both swift and efficacious when alleviating the ache, and it has little to no mentionable side effects, making it one of our top choices.

White Vein Kratom Powder

Extended work hours and long study nights are day-to-day issues among some kratom users. White vein kratom powder has powerful nootropic effects and is a quick-acting painkiller, especially popular among hard workers and students.

The top-rated white-vein kratom strains are:

White Borneo

Balanced stimulation is perhaps White Borneo‘s main characteristic, making it one of the most renowned white-veined strains. It refreshes the user’s attention span and lightens up their mood, thus helping them deal with long study hours.

White Sumatra

White Sumatra hits the target if you’re aiming for fast and dependable energy boosts. This strain is a perfect quick stimulus to replace your regular morning coffee or even push through an all-nighter.

White Indo

White Indo, a balanced white strain with euphoric effects, will help you lift your spirits if you’re having a low self-esteem day.

White Thai

For artists dealing with a mental block, White Thai will not only lessen your anxiety in social settings, but it’ll also increase your creative drive and inventiveness.

White Bali

If you’re looking to avoid the lingering sedative effect that tends to appear once kratom’s influences fade from your body, White Bali is the strain for you. It reduces body aches leaving you energized because of its balanced alkaloid levels.

Mitragyna speciosa korth wrapper for eating isolated from white background. leaves of Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom).

How to Take Kratom Powder

There are many ways to take kratom powder, especially for those looking to avoid its earthy, bitter taste. We have created a list of alternatives that might do the trick for you.

Kratom Leaf Tea

A popular way to take kratom is by making kratom tea to help mask its original flavor. You need to add the powder in a muslin bag to water previously heated up to 185-190℉, just before the boiling point, and then let it steep for at least 10 minutes.

Once the time has passed, you simply remove the teabag, and it’ll be ready to drink. We recommend adding some agave nectar or honey, as it’s going to be quite bitter.

You can reuse the bag on four occasions at most, and if you’ve only brewed once, you’re able to freeze it up and brew it again shortly after. Remember, it’ll probably be weaker the next time around.

With Yogurt or Pudding

If you’re feeling a little adventurous and think cooking is your forte, some users like mixing the dose into a yogurt or pudding cup. Besides successfully concealing the bitter flavor, you also get a pleasant and effective way to add your kratom to a snack.

Parachute

When users desire to evade kratom’s harsh taste yet don’t want to sacrifice waiting times, they mostly use the parachuting method. A thin sheet of paper such as toilet paper or oblate discs is all you need to wrap your powdered kratom and then swallow it down.

Mix It With Another Drink

Another way to deal with it is to combine the powder into whatever refreshments you’re keen on to disguise the flavor. The bolder, the better: grapefruit juice, lemonade, espresso, orange juice, and smoothies are our top picks to make the powdered herb more bearable. Some of these are potentiators, so be careful.

Toss & Wash

If the crude taste doesn’t scare you, then the “toss & wash” method might be perfect for you. Users can either mix the powder into a drink and quickly swallow it or “toss” it in their mouth and “wash” it down with a gulp of water.

This procedure is ideal for those who take their kratom doses rapidly and do not mind the flavor much.

How Old Do I Have to Be to Buy Kratom?

Even if Virginia hasn’t enforced any age restrictions on the herb, this topic is trickier than you might expect. The state itself isn’t the only one that dictates who can and cannot acquire kratom.

When purchasing online, some websites require you to prove you’re at least 18. Others will only interact with those already 21 and over. But, of course, some retailers won’t even ask for your age at all.

Buying in person is pretty much the same thing: you might find vendors who implement limitations that are not required by law. Check for third-party lab tests before purchasing since you should always prioritize your health over everything and only buy the safest kratom.

How to Store Kratom

Storing kratom is a venture in itself, as there are several do’s and don’ts to ensure its freshness stays in mint condition for up to one year. Keep on reading and avoid making critical mistakes in taking care of your herb.

First and foremost, you need to make sure your kratom stays in a dry, airtight container. Letting it breathe could be detrimental as it opens the door to dampness, contamination, and oxidization, resulting in its molding.

In addition, use a jar with a lid that seals securely and avoid storing it in a damp environment.

It is also essential to keep your stock in a neutral space, clear from acute smells and fluctuating temperatures. The atmosphere in which you keep your kratom will influence it directly.

However, our best tip is to store daily, limited dosages in small bags and then inside a larger airtight container in a dry, chilly, and dark place with a consistent temperature.

Conclusion: Where to Buy Kratom in Richmond

As stated before, kratom is currently legal and not regulated by the state. Still, this doesn’t mean you should ignore related news. The future is uncertain, and you should keep an eye out for updates on its possible regulation.

Finding kratom in Richmond shouldn’t be a problem: clients gush about the state’s physical stores and its excellent customer service. Nevertheless, it’s best to stay at home and acquire it through the internet.

If you’re unsure where to start, try one of our top three picks: Kona Kratom, Star Kratom, or VIP Kratom, since they are three of the most trustworthy sellers.