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There’s a buzz around kratom’s health benefits. Kratom enthusiasts wax lyrical on its energy-boosting and relaxation effects, among many other benefits that the herb offers. The shift towards herbal and natural medicines has also led to kratom’s burgeoning popularity. Despite its popularity, you can’t buy kratom in CVS.
One of the first places you might think to look for kratom is big box stores like CVS. Unfortunately, you cannot buy the product at your local CVS store. In fact, none of the big box stores, including Wal-Mart, Amazon, GNC, and Walgreens, have kratom on their shelves. So, where can you get good-quality kratom?
Read on to find out why you can’t buy kratom in CVS or in big box stores that won’t touch kratom at the moment. You’ll also learn the alternative outlets to buy kratom.
Why You Can’t Buy Kratom in CVS or in Big Box Stores
1. Kratom Is in the Legal Grey Area
Big retail corporations are unwilling to sell kratom, even in states where the herb is legal, because of regulatory concerns arising from contradictory federal and state regulations.
Kratom is legal under federal law. But the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) refers to the herb as a “drug of concern” because of its various effects. The bureau seeks to label kratom as a Schedule 1 drug, a category comprising marijuana, heroin, ecstasy, and LSD.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains that kratom exposes users to the dangers of drug abuse, addiction, and even death. Currently, there are no FDA-approved uses for kratom. In fact, the FDA has always been on the warpath with kratom sellers. Time and again, the agency has seized tons of kratom products and materials, especially from kratom vendors selling kratom-derived products with unverified health claims.
2. State and Local Law
Despite the herb’s legal status at the federal level, several states and municipalities have outlawed kratom. Currently, kratom is illegal to purchase, use, sell, or possess in:
- Arkansas
- Alabama
- Indiana
- Vermont
- Rhode Island
- Wisconsin
- Washington DC
- San Diego
- Sarasota county
- Union country
- City of Jerseyville
Other U.S. states and jurisdictions have enforced age restrictions on kratom use, including Illinois, New Hampshire, and Tennessee.
3. Banking Difficulties for Kratom Vendors
Banking institutions and credit card processors don’t allow kratom transactions. They deem kratom as a high-risk industry based on two reasons. First, the volatility of legislation on kratom poses the concern of legality or safety.
The second reason is the concern about sustained profitability. High-risk industries often have high chargeback ratios. It happens when consumers demand a refund on a disputed or fraudulent transaction. If merchants don’t want to make the refund, the aggrieved customer can contact their issuing bank to get the chargebacks. High chargeback ratios eat up the profits from the kratom sale.
So What Does the Future Hold?
Enacting kratom banking provisions into law would pave the way for banks to process kratom transactions without fear of government reprisal. And this would allow big box stores to jump onto the kratom business.
Tips on Buying Kratom Locally
With CVS out of the question, kratom users can make their purchases locally from smoke shops, headshops, gas stations, and kava bars. In many cases, vape shops, CBD stores, and herbal stores also have kratom products.
Unfortunately, buying kratom “near me” has its share of drawbacks. For example, you might come across low-quality, expired products or ignorant staff at the local shop. To avoid this, use the following tips before making your kratom purchase locally:
1. Check Kratom’s Legal Status in Your State
While kratom is legal federally, states have jurisdiction over their respective territories. Some states have banned the sale, use, and possession of kratom. Make sure kratom is legal in your local jurisdiction before buying it.
2. Look out for Lab Test Reports
Only buy from a vendor who provides lab test reports for their kratom products. A lab report will show any presence of contaminants in the kratom. It also shows the concentration of alkaloids in the batch so you can figure out the potency of the kratom product before buying.
3. Check Online Customer Reviews
Read reviews from previous customers to know about the quality of kratom products and services from a particular local smoke shop.
Buy Kratom in CVS vs. Buying Kratom Online
Buying your kratom online is a better alternative if you can’t buy kratom in CVS or aside from buying locally. The decision to buy kratom on the Internet comes with the following benefits:
- Credibility verification: You can substantiate the credibility of the online kratom vendor. The vendor’s website should provide details about sourcing practices, lab reports, and so on. This way, you can know you’re dealing with a trustworthy vendor.
- Selection of strains: Online vendors have a wide variety of kratom strains. So you’re likely to find exactly what you want.
- Price point: The prices of kratom products on the internet are usually lower than what you’d find locally.
- Bulk purchases: You can buy kratom in bulk from an online vendor and enjoy great discounts than anywhere locally.
- Convenience: You can shop for your favorite kratom strains in the comfort of your home. Online vendors offer fast shipping, so you can have your products reasonably quickly.
The Bottom Line: Can You Buy Kratom in CVS?
While you won’t find kratom in your local CVS store, you can make your purchase from smoke shops, headshops, herbal stores, and vape shops near you. But if you want access to a diversity of kratom strains, affordable prices, bulk options, and overall convenience, consider buying kratom online.