Kratom legality is a contentious issue in Louisiana, stirring ongoing debates among state legislators. While the state recently averted a total ban, various local jurisdictions have implemented prohibitions.
It’s crucial for kratom enthusiasts to stay informed about the current legal landscape in Louisiana, including the specific areas where kratom is banned and the potential for future legal changes.
Explore our comprehensive guide to understand exactly what is going on currently with kratom legality in Louisiana.
Kratom is Illegal for Anyone Under 21 in Louisiana
Currently, kratom faces legal restrictions in various parts of Louisiana. The latest legislative measure, Senate Bill 94, was enacted on June 26, 2023, and takes effect on August 1, 2023. Due to the main kratom alkaloids, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the sale of kratom products to individuals under 21 is illegal. Additionally, this law allows local parishes to enact stricter regulations on kratom use and sales.Places Where Kratom is Illegal in Louisiana
Several parishes in Louisiana have moved to restrict or ban kratom. Ascension Parish was the first to prohibit its sale on August 18, 2022, under Chapter 11, Article 8 of their ordinances. On October 10, 2022, Rapides Parish made it illegal to possess kratom, with penalties including fines up to $500, six months in jail, or both for the first offense. Shortly after, on October 13, 2022, Grant Parish also passed legislation banning the sale and possession of kratom. Despite testimony from veterans highlighting the positive effects of kratom, City Council members outlawed kratom in Zachary.A Contentious Legal History
Louisiana has seen numerous legislative efforts to control or ban kratom. In 2014, a bill was introduced to classify kratom’s primary alkaloids as controlled substances, but it did not progress. The following year, a similar bill passed the Senate but ultimately failed to enact a ban, as the alkaloids were removed from the controlled substances list, thus keeping kratom legal.Banning vs. Regulating Kratom: Why Golden Monk Supports Regulation
The kratom industry, particularly the American Kratom Association (AKA), advocates for FDA regulation rather than a ban on kratom. Regulation, rather than prohibition, would establish oversight in the production, marketing, and distribution of kratom, ensuring safer consumer access, which we fully support. Companies like Golden Monk are aligning with the AKA to encourage states to adopt their own Kratom Consumer Protection Acts (KCPA), which aim to regulate the industry locally. This would directly benefit the millions of Americans who use kratom for their health and wellness. Golden Monk and the AKA support such regulatory measures because they promise significant benefits for users, including:- Quality assurance: Regulations would establish stringent quality control and safety standards, ensuring that kratom products are pure and free from harmful contaminants.
- Consumer protection: Effective regulation would safeguard consumers against inaccuracies in the production process and deceptive practices by vendors who may mislabel their products.
- Enhanced research and testing: The industry is also advocating for more scientific research and testing to better understand kratom’s benefits and risks. While existing studies highlight kratom’s potential, the industry seeks more rigorous scientific validation of its safety and efficacy.
- Marketing standards: Regulation of kratom marketing would empower consumers by providing them with confidence that the products they purchase meet verified standards.
Where is Kratom Legal in the US
Since laws are constantly in flux, it’s important to know where kratom is currently legal.
While kratom is legal in some Louisiana parishes, it’s crucial to recognize that laws vary significantly across each state. When traveling, it’s important to avoid transporting kratom into areas where it is illegal.
States where kratom is prohibited:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Rhode Island (until January, 2025)
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
States with local restrictions:
- California: Legal, except in San Diego
- Colorado: Legal, except in Denver
- Florida: Legal, except in Sarasota County
- Illinois: Legal, except in Alton, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Jerseyville, Maryville, and Wood River
- Louisiana: Legal except in a handful of parishes
- Mississippi: Legal, except in Union County
States with age restrictions:
- Georgia: Prohibited for individuals under 18 years old
- Louisiana: Prohibited for individuals under 21 years old
- New Hampshire: Prohibited for individuals under 18 years old
- Tennessee: Prohibited for individuals under 21 years old
Where Can You Buy Kratom in Louisiana
Louisiana has several brick-and-mortar kratom vendors, primarily located in larger cities like New Orleans, Metairie, and Shreveport. However, the best deals and highest quality kratom are often found online.
Why You Should Purchase Your Kratom Online
While you may find kratom at some local Louisiana stores, purchasing it online offers significant advantages. Here’s why:
- Wider selection: Online stores typically offer a broader range of kratom strains compared to brick-and-mortar shops.
- Superior brands: Online retailers often stock high-quality brands that adhere to stricter processing standards.
- Better prices: Online platforms frequently provide more competitive pricing and discounts.
- Loyalty rewards: Many online shops have loyalty programs, offering perks and rewards for regular customers.
- Quality assurance: At Golden Monk, we ensure the safety and quality of our kratom products through rigorous testing. We test for identification, heavy metals (Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Mercury), and microbial safety (Aerobic Plate Count, Yeast and Mold, Coliforms and E. coli, Salmonella). Only products that pass these tests are available for purchase.
Purchasing online not only gives you access to a wider selection and better prices but also ensures you receive top-quality kratom products.
At Golden Monk, we meticulously test our products at every stage of the process—from the farm to our processing facilities, through manufacturing, and up to shipping and distribution. Our comprehensive third-party testing ensures that each product exceeds industry standards.
Golden Monk’s Top 5 Best-Selling Kratom Products in Louisiana
Golden Monk provides the best quality kratom products through both brick-and-mortar shops in Louisiana as well as online.
Check out some of our most popular products in the state!
Kratom Gummies
Golden Monk’s Kratom Gummies each contain 10mg of premium kratom extract. They are especially popular with kratom users who are looking for an easily accessible method of taking kratom.
Kratom Capsules
Our Kratom Capsules contain 500mg of premium kratom powder. You can purchase 250, 500, or 1000 capsules made from our loose-leaf kratom varieties, including Green Maeng Da, Red Maeng Da, White Maeng Da, Green Malay, Red Bali, White Bali, Red Borneo, Green Borneo, White Borneo, Red Indo, and Red Thai.
Maeng Da Loose Kratom
Golden Monk’s Maeng Da Kratom comes in green vein, red vein, or white vein varieties of the popular horned leaf strain of the Mitragyna speciosa plant.
White Sumatra Kratom
Golden Monk’s White Sumatra Kratom comes from Sumatra in Indonesia and is sold in quantities of 250g to 1000g (1kg). It is similar to White Vein Bali and White Vein Borneo.
Red Borneo Kratom
Our Red Borneo Kratom is one of our most popular strains nationwide, coming in 250g, 500g, or 1000g (1kg) quantities.
For Further Reading:
- Federal Kratom Consumer Protection Act
- Killett, Gabriella. “What is kratom, and why are Louisiana local officials banning it?” Nola.com. 28 Jan. 2023
- “Kratom Regulation: Federal Status and State Approaches.” crsreports.congress.gov. 28 Nov 2023
- McClure, Olivia. “After passionate speakers on both sides of the issue, kratom banned in Zachary.” TheAdvocate.com. 15 September 2023.
- Mondragon, Christina. “Kratom ban bill discussed by Louisiana lawmakers.” KATC.com. 20 May 2023
- Paul, Wade. “Navigating Louisiana’s Kratom Laws: What’s New In 2023.” Kratom.org. 2023