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Kratom is currently legal in some locations in Mississippi. However, the state is keen on banning kratom statewide. Representatives have repeatedly voiced concerns about the herbal drug and won’t stop until it’s banned by state law.
Many communities in Mississippi have also already banned kratom. And with the ongoing local campaigns against it, it’s likely that more communities, if not the whole state, may ban it soon.
A Kratom Ban in the State and Mississippi Lawmakers
In 2016, the Drug Enforcement Agency nearly accomplished banning kratom for the entire country. But activists and kratom patrons repeatedly voiced concerns through online petitions against it. In the end, the department rescinded its decision.
Local governments were, instead, given the decision to either make the herb legal in their states or ban it. And since then, only six states have banned the herbal drug.
Northeast Mississippi decided to take the lead to try and make kratom illegal in 2019. Local anti-kratom groups also put in the effort to outlaw the possession, use, and sale of kratom. At that time, Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal recorded a total of 28 Mississippi cities and counties that have banned the herb.
Activists and local kratom advocates were against banning kratom. They’ve even tried to argue that kratom has medicinal value and helps with their ailments. The Food and Drug Administration, however, still warns the public about kratom use.
In 2022, U.S. News reported on another attempt to ban kratom in Mississippi. It was the second year in a row that the state tried to pass legislation to regulate the herbal drug. One of the representatives, Lee Yancey, told Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal that they would advance legislation to prohibit kratom.
Some people sided with the bill, while others, like Mac Haddow, thought otherwise. Mac Haddow is a member of the American Kratom Association.
He suggested lawmakers require kratom vendors to ban minors from purchasing it rather than a total ban. According to him, the minimum age for kratom use should be at least 21 years.
The Latest Attempt to Make Kratom Illegal in Mississippi
Early this year, Mississippi lawmakers once again made it clear that they were against kratom. This time, however, kratom isn’t the only substance they’re after.
Representative Donnie Scoggin wanted to push for House Bill 364. This bill will put both kratom and tianeptine in Schedule I of the drug schedule of the Drug Enforcement Agency. Once it passes, both substances will officially be off the shelves in Mississippi.
What Is a Schedule I Drug?
Schedule I drugs refers to chemicals, substances, or drugs with no medicinal value. Chemicals under this group also have highly addictive properties. Some substances under this category include marijuana and peyote.
The bill should take effect on July 31, 2023. Fortunately, it didn’t even get transmitted to the Senate and died in committee. So the answer to “Is Kratom Legal in Mississippi?” is a yes but just not in the entire state. Tianeptine, however, ended up on the Schedule I list.
In Which Mississippi Communities Is Kratom Banned?
Though kratom is legal in Mississippi, you can still face a misdemeanor charge if you possess it in certain communities. Before you buy, distribute, or use kratom, make sure you’re not in one of the following locations where it’s banned:
- Mantachie
- Fulton
- Itawamba County
- Vardaman
- Union
- Tishomingo
- Tippah
- Senatobia
- Prentiss
- Saltillo
- Pearl River
- Ripley
- Noxubee
- Pontotoc
- Monroe
- Oxford
- Lowndes
- Okolona
- Calhoun
- New Albany
- Alcorn
- Marietta
- Iuka
- Derma
- Guntown
- Corinth
- Columbus
- Caledonia
- Bruce
- Burnsville
- Booneville
- Belmont
- Blue Mountain
The first offense will typically result in a fine, though this could definitely vary depending on the circumstance. For example, how much kratom did the person have?
Violators can also serve jail time or community service. Habitual violations can result in heftier fines and more jail time.
Where Can I Buy Kratom In Mississippi?
Despite the efforts of kratom advocates, attempts to ban kratom continue everywhere in Mississippi. This makes it challenging for local businesses to set up their shops and cater to kratom consumers.
However, it’s not completely impossible to find a store if you look hard enough. Since Mississippi lawmakers still haven’t banned kratom in the entire state, it’s still unregulated.
Gas stations, convenience stores, and vape shops are typical places to find kratom. But try to avoid unlabeled kratom products or any other substances that seem shady to you. One of the cons of unregulated kratom is that anyone can produce and sell it. This means that people can add other substances to the products, and no one would even know.
If you’re unsure where to find a vendor in your area, you can always look up the closest shops on the Internet.
Type “buy kratom in” and add your location before hitting search. This will give you information on the closest kratom vendors in your area. Some may even have a website that you can browse. Take advantage of this accessibility to see if the shops have what you need.
Online Shopping for Kratom
You can also shop for your supplies online. Shipping may take some time, but if you find it hard to source quality kratom locally, it’s your next best option. In fact, there are even benefits to getting your kratom from online vendors. Here are just some of them:
Quality – Online kratom vendors carry quality brands that go through lab tests and quality checks. By buying your supply from an online vendor, you can be sure that you’re not buying adulterated products.
Convenience – Online shopping makes it convenient for buyers to get their supplies. Shoppers won’t have to travel to stores or worry about operating hours. Whatever time of the day or night, you’ll be able to browse options and order what you need.
Discounts – Online shops tend to have fewer expenses compared to actual stores. For this reason, online shops can price their products a bit lower than physical stores. Plus, discounts come and go all year round.
Is Kratom Legal in Mississippi Forever?
At this point, no one can confirm kratom’s future in Mississippi. Despite the attempts to ban the substance, there have also been attempts to regulate it.
Senate Bill 2403 tried to introduce the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, though it didn’t pass. So as of now, there’s really no solid answer to the question, “Is kratom legal in Mississippi forever?”
The future of kratom legality in Mississippi may be uncertain now, but it doesn’t guarantee a total loss for kratom advocates. Also, rules and regulations can change over time. So make sure to stay updated on the local news about kratom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kratom?
Kratom comes from a Southeast Asian tree that belongs to the coffee family. The Mitragyna speciosa tree grows leaves that contain the controversial compounds mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine. These compounds give a relaxing or stimulating effect when ingested.
How old do I have to be to buy kratom?
There aren’t established age restrictions to purchasing kratom in Mississippi. However, most shops won’t sell to minors or those below 18 years.
What is the best way to take kratom?
In its natural, powdered form, kratom tastes bitter. But various kratom products enable users to enjoy its benefits without the distinctive herbal taste.
Some people swear by brewing and drinking it as tea, but you can also enjoy bottled kratom drinks flavored with coffee and juices for a more appealing taste. Another easy way to consume kratom is to get it in herbal supplement form.
