What is the Current Legality of Kratom in New Zealand?

As a kratom user planning to travel to New Zealand, knowing the legality of kratom in the island country is essential to avoid penalties and legal consequences. Kratom is not legal everywhere due to its potential risks and possibilities to be misused. For these reasons, some countries have opted to outright ban it, and the herb remains controversial in many places across the world.

This is why those planning to use kratom in New Zealand need to understand the kratom laws in the country before traveling there in order to avoid legal trouble and possible criminal charges.

What the Law Says About Kratom in New Zealand

In New Zealand, Medsafe is the medical regulatory body, under the New Zealand Ministry of Health, responsible for the Medicines Act of 1981 and Medicines Regulation of 1984. This regulatory body has classified kratom as a prescription medicine. This means kratom is not allowed as a dietary supplement. It can only be legally used or possessed if prescribed by a medical professional from New Zealand.

If kratom users are caught importing or possessing kratom in New Zealand without a prescription, in most cases, it leads to confiscation. While there are no official specifics about penalties or fines, if caught with it, it could lead to legal troubles, and possibly even criminal prosecution.

Nevertheless, a petition was submitted some years back by Cameron Grey, proposing the legalization of kratom for personal use. Nothing has come out of it yet, but it may be a good start by local advocacy groups to push for the regulation of kratom for personal use.

Why Kratom is so Strictly Regulated in New Zealand

Kratom is not allowed for personal use in New Zealand due to its lack of study, potential risks and lack of quality controls. Medsafe, the body responsible for regulation, does not monitor the purity of herbal products unless they are approved as a medicine. And since the lack of quality controls may lead to poor quality product , adulterated, contaminated, or even counterfeited products, the regulatory body made the decision to restrict it for personal use without a prescription.

Using kratom products may put people at an increased risk of adverse reactions, and it is the responsibility of Medsafe to protect the people of New Zealand.

Travelers Bringing Kratom into New Zealand

For those traveling with kratom to New Zealand without a prescription, customs carries out routine checks. If found with kratom, it is likely to be seized by the authorities. That is the most likely thing that could happen. But there may be more to it and users could face denial of entry, fines, or possible legal and criminal consequences. Since it is not approved for personal use, it is best to assume the worst, unless you have obtained a prescription for it from a New Zealand doctor.

Also, it doesn’t matter whether your kratom was prescribed by a medical professional in your country. What matters the most is getting a legal prescription from a NZ medical practitioner and to have that documentation on hand.

What Next for Kratom in New Zealand

As of today, the laws surrounding  kratom in New Zealand remain. Kratom is not allowed as a dietary supplement or a medicine, unless prescribed by a medical professional within the country. But kratom laws can change with time, and ongoing petitions and public pressure around legalization may initiate a possible change in the future.

It is part of the responsibilities of kratom users to monitor updates from Medsafe and the NZ government. If legalization were to happen in New Zealand, it would likely be a regulated market with quality controls in place to protect consumers.

But until any changes happen, do not make the mistake of assuming kratom is legal in New Zealand, because it’s not, unless you have a prescription from a New Zealand doctor.

Conclusion

Kratom is not currently legal in New Zealand unless you have a prescription for a New Zealand licensed medical professional. Traveling to New Zealand with kratom or using it in NZ without a prescription is a risky thing to do and could land an offender in possible legal troubles and criminal consequences. You could also be denied entry into the country and have your ability to travel there revoked.

Always check official New Zealand government websites for any changes in kratom laws within the country to stay updated with the newest information.

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