Is Kratom Legal in Washington D.C. in 2023?

Washington D.C., formally called the District of Columbia, isn’t actually one of the 50 states. Washington, the capital city, is within the District of Columbia.

The District of Columbia is an area between Maryland and Virginia that is not a part of any of the states. The idea behind it was to have the capital in a territory that was not a part of any of the states.

Why Columbia?

After Christopher Columbus. Columbia was the name that people used to refer to the New World in the past.

So, what’s the legal status of kratom in the capital city of our country?

Is Kratom Legal in Washington D.C.?

Currently, kratom is legal in Washington. In 2016, the authorities banned it. However, in 2018, they amended the controlled substances list and removed kratom from it.

Mitragyna speciosa is a tree from Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain beneficial alkaloids. These alkaloids have properties that can have beneficial effects on people’s well-being. They can help in various ways, such as making it easier to relax, fall asleep, and better manage pain.

According to kratom experts, the herb can offer benefits to people who treat opioid addiction. This has the potential to reduce the opioid epidemic and lead to fewer opioid overdose deaths.

The Intent to Ban Kratom Nationwide

Urged by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced an intent to ban kratom in 2016. This would have banned kratom products on a federal level.

However, this caused widespread criticism from kratom supporters in the country. They asked the DEA not to proceed with the ban. They also cited the lack of studies or reports that would prove kratom not to be safe for public health.

Following the criticism, the Drug Enforcement Administration changed its mind. It withdrew its intent to schedule kratom.

Thus, at this time, there are no federal laws determining the legal status of the beneficial herb from Southeast Asia. As a result, each state decides the fate of kratom.

The majority of the country has no laws or regulations regarding kratom. A few states, cities, and counties have outlawed kratom.

However, a growing number of states have decided to enact the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). It is legislation developed by a non-profit organization called the American Kratom Association.

The KCPA makes it mandatory for vendors to test and adequately label kratom products as well as not to sell it to minors. It also determines penalties for breaking the law.

The American Kratom Association actively works to ensure that as many states pass the Kratom Consumer Protection Act as possible.

Changing Kratom Laws in Washington D.C.

In late 2016, the same year the DEA tried to make kratom illegal, the authorities amended the capital’s controlled substances list. They placed 7-hydroxymitragynine, one of the primary kratom alkaloids, under Schedule I controlled substances. This includes drugs and substances of concern with no medical use or benefit.

This made Mitragyna speciosa illegal in the capital. The ban came as a surprise to both local people and businesses. Therefore, a few kratom businesses in D.C. didn’t know about it.

However, in the first half of 2018, legislators removed 7-hydroxymitragynine. Thus, the latest version of the Washington D.C. Schedule I list does not include kratom in it.

In addition to that, in mid-2018 kratom supporters and vendors organized a rally in Washington D.C. in support of kratom.

Where to Buy Kratom in Washington D.C.?

Kratom is legal in Washington D.C. Because of that, several smoke shops and herb stores have kratom products available for sale in Washington D.C.

Nonetheless, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate kratom in the United States. Neither does the local government, allowing bad players to operate freely. This means that there is a high risk of buying low-quality or contaminated products and having other issues.

Therefore, we always advise that enthusiasts buy kratom online from vendors that specialize in kratom. This is usually more cost-effective, and offers users a wider array of fresh kratom powder. Trusted vendors lab-test kratom for purity and quality and follow advertising practices that do not compromise the reputation of kratom.

Found this post helpful and would like to learn more? Please refer to our detailed U.S. kratom legality map and our blog post on kratom legality across the United States. There, you can find the latest kratom legality news.