Kratom Legality: Is Kratom Legal in Texas in 2023?

Texas is not only the second largest state in the nation by territory but also the second most populous state. California is the only state that has a larger population whereas Alaska beats Texas in terms of area. Texas is also larger than any Western European country.

Dallas, one of the largest cities in Texas, is where 7-Eleven originated and where Bonnie and Clyde came from. It’s also where the name “Super Bowl” was coined and where the first professional cheerleading squad formed.

The name “Texas” originates from the Native American Caddo word “tayshas.” It signifies “friends” or “allies” and has been Hispanicized since, first to “tejas,” and, then, to “texas.” This is why road signs at the entry points into the state show a slogan “Drive Friendly – The Texas Way.”

Another famous slogan that states “Don’t Mess with Texas” has nothing to do with the hospitality of the state. It was actually publicized as part of an advertising campaign that aimed to reduce littering. Many experience Texans as extremely friendly, and the state highly values family, faith, and freedom.

So, does the freedom that the State of Texas values so highly extend to kratom, too? Let’s find out.

Kratom Legality in the United States

Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a tropical tree from Southeast Asia. Its leaves have alkaloids with beneficial properties due to which kratom is gaining popularity in the United States.

A federal-level kratom ban proposed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 2016 didn’t take effect. The DEA withdrew its proposal. As a result, kratom remains legal for purchase online and locally in most of the country.

However, six states across the nation chose to ban kratom altogether and list it among scheduled substances. More locations considered doing the same.

Meanwhile, many states are also realizing the risks of not having any laws or regulations on kratom. This is why various states are considering passing the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. It’s legislation that was initially developed by the American Kratom Association (AKA), a non-profit organization, in order to keep kratom legal across the country.

Is Kratom Legal in Texas?

Kratom is legal in Texas. In 2021, there was a bill aiming to enact the Kratom Consumer Protection Act in Texas but it didn’t succeed.

Up until 2021, there had been no efforts to either ban or regulate Mitragyna speciosa in Texas.

The herb did reach the news a few times. In 2015, more people died of opioid overdoses, either prescription or illegal street drugs, than from traffic accidents. So, attention zoomed on kratom. That was due to a growing number of people dependent on opioids turned to kratom as a herb helping them to deal with their addiction.

News outlets reached out to various people familiar with kratom, including Dr. Tirado, an addiction psychiatrist who shared his positive feedback and experiences. Dr. Tirado revealed that kratom had been beneficial for many of his patients. Yet, he voiced his concerns about the lack of regulations on the herb.

Dr. Tirado pointed out that the lack of regulations isn’t optimal. He also stated that banning kratom wouldn’t be a good option. It would drive people to seek illegal drugs on the black market, potentially increasing the number of opioid overdoses and deaths.

The lack of kratom laws and regulations in Texas is something that may change in the future though.

Efforts to Regulate Kratom in Texas

January 2021 was when the state witnessed its first bills targeting kratom. A Republican representative filed one bill, and a Democrat senator filed another. Both bills aimed to regulate kratom manufacture, sales, and distribution in Texas through the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.

This legislation intended to ensure that kratom retailers would:

• Not sell kratom products unless they carry adequate labels,
• Not sell kratom powder or capsules containing any dangerous, poisonous, or scheduled substances,
• Only sell kratom products that don’t contain substances that alter its properties or potency,
• Not sell kratom that contains synthetic alkaloids,
• Not sell kratom with more than 2% of 5-hydroxymitragynine of the total alkaloid content,
• Prohibit kratom sales to minors under the age of 18,
• Face a civil penalty for violating the law. $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $1,000 for any consequent offense.

Had this legislation passed, kratom would have remained legal in Texas. In addition to that, its residents would have had safer access to the herb and fewer risks. This could have also potentially decreased the number of bad players taking advantage of those who benefit from kratom’s properties.

Unfortunately, despite being reviewed, both bills failed. One died in committee while the other died in chamber.

Where to Buy Kratom in Texas?

Since kratom is legal in Texas, it is available in herb shops and smoke shops. Both in the biggest cities, such as Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, as well as other locations across the state. Some shops in the state also offer live kratom trees for sale.

Nonetheless, since kratom powder remains unregulated, certain risks apply when buying kratom locally. It may not be the right option for you.

Buying kratom online from trusted and reputable kratom-specific vendors tends to be not only a safer but also a more economic option.

If you live in Texas and are looking for quality kratom, check out our free kratom samples or the kratom products we offer for sale. Our kratom powder comes directly from farmers in Indonesia and undergoes thorough testing in a third-party laboratory. We do not require a middleman. So, you won’t need to cover extortionate overhead costs when you buy kratom online.

To learn about the legal status of kratom in other US states, refer to this post.