Is Kratom Legal in Georgia in 2023?

Georgia is the largest state by area to the east of the Mississippi River. Its capital Atlanta is the home of Coca-Cola. It’s also where Martin Luther King was born.

The Peach State has 350 species of birds as well as an island named after Blackbeard, the famous pirate. Legend has it that he buried loot there, but no one has ever found anything.

What is Georgia’s stance on Mitragyna speciosa, a herb of Southeast Asian origin better known as kratom?

Let’s take a look at the kratom laws in this southern state.

Is Kratom Legal in Georgia?

Kratom is legal in Georgia and regulated by the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Under it, kratom is available for those over 18 years. Kratom products also need to carry a label with details such as its ingredients, kratom alkaloid content, and disclaimers. 

The kratom battle in Georgia started in 2017. A Georgia medical examiner issued a statement that kratom has caused 11 deaths in the state. This followed an FDA warning about kratom a few days earlier.

According to autopsy results, out of these 11 deaths, nine of the deceased had other substances present in their blood. As per the other two victims, no other data is available. They supposedly only had kratom in their blood.

This data is inconclusive, and it is inaccurate to claim that these deaths are solely due to kratom. A former drug chemist who takes part in many drug abuse panels shared a statement that supports it.

He admitted that people often turn to kratom while trying to overcome opioid addiction. As a result, those suffering from opioid addiction are subject to many risks and could have died from a variety of different causes. Not kratom.

Science confirms this, too. Studies have revealed that kratom is about 1,000 times less likely to cause death than opioids.

Nonetheless, the authorities ignore this. Because kratom alkaloids possess some opioid-like characteristics, the authorities use those as an argument in favor of a kratom ban.

Shortly after, the Georgia Senate reviewed a bill that intended to outlaw kratom statewide. Kratom advocates voiced their opinions and positive experiences with kratom. Eventually, authorities removed kratom from the bill. Activism from the kratom community did not allow kratom to become an illegal drug.

KCPA in Georgia

Another bill, Georgia’s version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), urging it to set restrictions on kratom sales was filed in 2019. Instead of banning kratom, it suggested keeping it legal and establishing restrictions on kratom sales. The American Kratom Association (AKA) and the kratom community believe it’s the right way to move forward.

An overwhelming 164 against 1 of the Georgia House voted for it. So, the Governor passed the bill in late April 2019.

As a result, kratom remained legal. In addition to that, the new regulations ensure that:

• Kratom is only available to individuals who are 18 and older.
• It’s prohibited to transfer kratom to minors.
• All kratom packages carry a label that includes the age limit and a list of ingredients and kratom alkaloid content.
• Manufacturer or distributor details, use instructions, as well as disclaimers must appear on the label.
• Selling, distributing, and producing unsafe kratom goods is punishable by state law. Disobeying this law can lead to a $1,000 fine, a year in jail, or both.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy Kratom in Georgia

According to the Georgia Kratom Consumer Protection Act, you must be 18 or older to purchase kratom online or locally. If you acquire or possess kratom as a minor, you risk getting a $1,000 fine or up to 12 months in jail.

Traveling with Kratom

While you are unlikely to face any problems when traveling with kratom within Georgia, keep in mind that kratom is not legal everywhere.

For example, kratom is outlawed in neighboring Alabama. So, you risk facing criminal charges if you cross the border with kratom on you.

To remain safe, make sure to check the legalities of your destination if you plan to travel with kratom.

Where Can You Buy Kratom in Georgia?

Since kratom remains legal, locals and travelers can buy kratom in various shops. This includes gas stations, smoke, and vape shops as well as in some herb stores. Mitragyna merchandise includes raw kratom powder and capsules containing kratom.

Regulating kratom makes buying it safer for customers. Yet, there are numerous benefits when you order kratom online from trusted vendors.

Kratom-specific vendors are well-versed in different topics on kratom and lab test their products. They also offer the most competitive prices with respect to the quality of kratom products. They often offer perks such as free samples that local vendors don’t. You also don’t have to go anywhere, but simply have your purchase delivered to your doorstep.

Last but not least, by choosing a specific vendor you make a vote with your money. You can choose to support reputable kratom-specific vendors who care about the reputation of the herb. Or you can support those who vend kratom alongside questionable items and use false claims and misleading marketing practices.

To see a U.S. map with detailed information on the legal status of kratom in your state, refer to this blog post. Let us know if you have any questions or doubts regarding kratom legality. The Kraoma team will be delighted to help you.