Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical evergreen tree that has witnessed a surge in popularity in the past few years. That’s due to a growing body of research indicating that certain compounds in the herb might offer incredible healing benefits. Although the tree is native to Southeast Asia, its extracts are now available worldwide.
But despite kratom’s huge therapeutic potential, many counties are yet to formulate specific regulations around the herb. A few have gone as far as impose outright bans on kratom in all its forms.
So, if you’re in Canada and are seeking to buy kratom supplements, it’s natural to wonder whether you can legally obtain such products. Read on for everything you need to know about the legal status of kratom in Canada.
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Is Kratom Legal In Canada?
Kratom may have begun making waves in Canada only a few years ago. But there are already numerous credible outlets where you can purchase the herb, such as BC Kratom.
BC Kratom is an industry leader in the supply of high-quality, reasonably priced kratom supplements. The company is based out of Victoria in, British Columbia. However, it maintains an e-commerce platform accessible to kratom users throughout much of North America.
But despite kratom’s widespread availability in Canada, there’s one nagging question to settle before ordering kratom-infused supplements in the country – is kratom legal in Canada?
Kratom is entirely legal in Canada. The implication is that law enforcement authorities are unlikely to arrest and charge you for possessing kratom-based products. That’s regardless of the amount found in your possession and the motive imputed on you.
However, most commodities considered legal in Canada are subject to certain regulations. Kratom is no exception.
How Is Kratom Regulated In Canada?
As far as kratom’s regulatory framework in Canada goes, the herb is only deemed legal for personal use and possession. And this is where things start to get a bit fuzzy.
It’s perfectly legal to possess kratom in Canada. You won’t run afoul of the law regardless of the quantity or the specific formulations in your possession. Note that kratom products are available in numerous preparations. Popular ones include dried leaves, powders, capsules, herbal teas, and edible goods.
You can also legally use kratom for both therapeutic and recreational benefits. Studies have shown that kratom may relieve pain, treat anxiety, alleviate inflammation, and help with opioid withdrawal symptoms, among many other pharmacological applications. As a recreational drug, kratom possesses mild stimulant properties akin to those induced by caffeine. So, it can improve your moods and cause a mild euphoria.
However, the sale and distribution of kratom is considered illegal under Canadian federal law. This then begs the question – how would consumers get their hands on kratom supplements if it’s illegal to distribute these products?
The best way to answer that question is to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of kratom regulation in Canada.
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Who Regulates Kratom In Canada?
Two Canadian agencies are responsible for regulating kratom possession and usage within the country’s borders. They include Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The CFIA is technically under Health Canada.
Both Health Canada and the CFIA enjoy the federal mandate to research kratom and make conclusive determinations on its safety with a view to safeguarding consumers. Ideally, these two bodies regulate the production and distribution of food, animals, and plants in Canada. The mere fact that kratom is a plant explains why it falls within the organizations’ ambits.
However, Health Canada and the CFIA have distinct mandates from each other.
Health Canada primarily concerns itself with formulating and enforcing national health policy. The organization’s core objective is to help Canadians maintain and improve their health. To achieve that ambitious vision, it facilitates access of high-quality health services while also working to reduce health risks. The latter role might explain why Health Canada has expressed some reservations about kratom consumption.
While kratom boasts immense healing properties, cases abound of severe adverse effects, especially due to overdose. It’s those negative reactions that probably informed Health Canada’s decision to deem the herb as a potential health hazard to Canadians.
The CFIA, on the other hand, oversees the safety, quality, and general impact of all regulated products. These include both foods and medicines produced naturally or synthetically.
The CFIA governs the entire production of kratom products. However, information about kratom is either scanty or totally non-existent on the CFIA website. The theoretical implication here is that the agency doesn’t authorize kratom for sale within Canadian borders.
All in all, both Health Canada and the CFIA have reached some form of consensus on the overall safety of kratom products. The two bodies have determined that kratom may live up to many of its medicinal claims but only if consumed by other means besides ingestion. The final verdict, therefore, is that kratom may be legal to purchase in edible forms. But it shouldn’t be marketed as safe for human consumption.
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Things to Bear in Mind about Kratom’s Legality in Canada
1. Kratom is legal in Canada for possession and usage but not for sale and distribution.
This regulatory lacuna has aided the mushrooming of kratom vendors throughout the country. Canada currently boasts some of the best kratom vendors in North America and worldwide.
2. Kratom traders have more to worry about concerning the herb’s legality than consumers.
That’s for the simple reason that the laws and regulations governing kratom in Canada target its sale and not its usage.
3. You can legally cultivate kratom in Canada, provided your intentions are unclear.
Law enforcement officers cannot impute improper motives for growing kratom until you’ve harvested the tree and expressed a desire to sell it.
4. However, you could run into legal headwinds trying to set up a kratom manufacturing plant within Canadian borders.
Although it’s not the prerogative of regulators to preempt your intentions for producing kratom in a large scale, it’s more than likely that profit is your primary motive. Besides, you’ll be at pains trying to prove that you’re manufacturing kratom for personal and not commercial usage.
5. Kratom laws and regulations are consistent throughout all Canadian provinces and territories.
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Summary
Kratom is currently legal in Canada, provided that it’s not marketed as safe for human consumption. However, it’s worth noting that these regulations can change at any time.
If you’re a kratom user, the only burden you’ll need to bear is that of finding high-quality products from credible suppliers. But as a trader, you must check federal and local regulations before adding kratom supplements to your shelf.