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Kratom has become so tremendously popular that you can find the stuff being sold at gas stations across the country. But even then, kratom’s legal status has paved the way for loads of gray areas. Sure, you can buy the stuff at a corner convenience store, but can you take it on a plane?
You’d think that something sold so freely across seedy gas stations should be legal to take on a plane. But before you pack your bags and toss that kratom in your suitcase, it’s important to know whether you can safely (and legally) take to the skies with this herb in your luggage.
The Legality of Kratom
First things first — it’s important to dissect kratom’s legal status. Throughout most of North America, kratom is neither legal nor illegal. There are presently no federal or national laws that ban kratom in the USA or Canada. And if you’re basing your decisions strictly off of that, you might come to the conclusion that flying with kratom should be no problem.
But that’s where local laws come into play. While kratom isn’t illegal on a federal level, there are certain localities and states that have outrightly banned kratom within their borders. This means that if you were flying from or into these jurisdictions, being caught with kratom in your luggage might lead to serious issues.
Laws are ever-changing, but US states that have placed restrictions on kratom include:
Aside from these states, there are certain cities and counties that have also banned kratom. These include:
- San Diego and Oceanside, California
- Sarasota County, Florida
- Jerseyville, Illinois (illegal for individuals ages 17 and below)
- Alton, Illinois
- Parker and Monument, Colorado
- Union County, Mississippi
- Franklin County, New Hampshire
Of course, that’s if you’re flying domestic. But if you’re planning to head out of the country, it’s important to know that kratom is banned across various international destinations as well, including:
- Argentina
- Australia (legal for clinical research only)
- Belarus
- Bulgaria (only with a prescription)
- Croatia
- Denmark (only with a prescription)
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Moldova
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- New Zealand
- Romania
- Slovenia
- Singapore
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- UAE
- United Kingdom
Can You Fly with Kratom?
Whether or not you can fly with kratom ultimately depends on the question of whether or not it’s legal at your destination. If you’re taking a connecting flight, then it’s important to know whether kratom is legal in all of the places where you’re set to layover.
Do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Some airlines might have their own restrictions on what you can take on a plane with you, and there are some flight providers that may impose restrictions on kratom.
If you’re traveling to a place where kratom is legal, but you’re stopping over where it isn’t, opt to leave your stock at home and purchase a temporary stash once you reach your destination. If the place you’re traveling to has a ban on kratom, then just ditch the habit until you get back home.
Tips for Flying with Kratom
Before you take to the skies with your kratom, you best make sure you’ve paved the way for hitch-free travel. Even if you’re traveling to a place where kratom is legal, it’s still possible to meet some roadblocks since most TSA agents will flag an item they can’t immediately recognize as legal.
So to eliminate the chances of potential hiccups before you board the plane, here are some tips to put into action:
- Keep your kratom in its original packaging – See to it that you store your stash in its original packaging, preferably sealed and with all of the labels intact. This just makes it easier for security to identify your package and what it contains.
- Answer any questions – If an agent asks you a question about your kratom, give straight answers. Some people try to hide their kratom by lying about it, but it’s always better to identify what it is and to tell them why you need it. While it might seem more convenient to lie, you might be placing yourself in a tighter spot by failing to share accurate information.
- Let them test it – If you’re confident that you’re traveling to and from places where kratom isn’t illegal, don’t think twice to have them test it. Remember — unless they identify your stash as something that’s actually illegal, they’d be unable to do anything about you taking it on the plane.
But keep in mind that flying with kratom isn’t always the best option. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. If you feel like taking kratom with you on a flight will prove to be more of a hassle, just leave your stash at home and purchase a quick fix when you arrive at your destination. This should help you eliminate the chances of running into roadblocks at the airport.
The Last Word
We’re a long way from achieving global kratom legality and freedom. But by abiding with the law, towing the line, and doing our part to be responsible, reasonable kratom patrons, we help pave the way for a brighter future for all of those who enjoy the herb. So if you were planning to fly with kratom, do your part and ask the right questions. And if all else fails, just leave the stuff at home.