Smoke shop kratom may not have the best reputation, but there is something to be said for its convenience. After all, you wouldn’t buy a car before seeing how it drove. So, why shouldn’t you get to see and smell your kratom before you purchase it? This is the advantage to buying kratom locally, but it’s not the only one. Trust is another consideration. Some local shop owners treat their customers like family, offering inside information and deep discounts on kratom products. Kratom Barrel was one of these homegrown shops, until its partnership with an area apothecary soured. Learn all about the pros and cons of Kratom Barrel in our Vendor Review.
Contrary to what you may have heard, Kratom Barrel is not a headshop. At least it is no longer operating as one. At one time, Kratom Barrel had a smoke shop location in Franklin, KY, and a partnership with East West Herbal, another ethnobotanical brand. This has all changed, as Kratom Barrel announced on its Facebook page. This vendor is now serving exclusively as a kratom supplier. Its full inventory is being sold out of office space at the Green Hills Office Suites in Nashville, TN where kratom is legal. The space is large enough to accommodate bulk kratom powder, which enables Kratom Barrel to continue its fulfillment to its online customers. If you’re a resident of the Music City then you can stop on by to explore its collection of OG kratom powders and kratom capsules. For those who live outside of the Volunteer State, you can contact the owner of Kratom Barrel on Facebook Messenger.
This vendor regularly stocks 32 rotating kratom strains in a variety of vein colors and sizes. Other items have included CBD products, coffee, culinary herbs, spices, and teas.
Kratom Barrel’s OG (Old-Growth) Mitragyna speciosa trees are available in raw powder form. Popular strains include the following:
This vendor offers many of its strains in capsule form. Kratom capsules are sold in sleeves containing two or more caps. Bulk kratom capsules are also available in pouches. Prices vary from strain to strain and are subject to availability.
Whereas most brick-and-mortar shops specialize in small-batch kratom, Kratom Barrel doesn’t nickel and dime. Each of its kratom strains is offered in kilos and split kilos. This is the store you want to visit if you’re looking to buy bulk kratom powder. You can get a kilo for $100 or a two-way split for $120.00. These are industry standard prices, which are incredibly low compared to those charged by other land-based corner stores and headshops.
As we mentioned earlier, there are pros and cons to dealing with a smoke shop kratom vendor. On the downside, they are not always reliable when it comes to mailing your package in a timely manner. Kratom Barrel is notoriously slow and has had at least one complaint lodged against them regarding shipping and returns. According to a complaint filed with the Better Business Bureau, Kratom Barrel asked a customer if they could replace half of the item they ordered with an alternative strain. When this user acquiesced, the vendor accepted full payment. After confirming the order, this vendor stopped answering emails or texts and did not ship said customer’s item(s). This tells us everything we need to know about Kratom Barrel’s shipping method and return policy.
Despite some evidence of sketchy behavior, many users have acknowledged its strengths. Affordability and variety are among its positive attributes. One reviewer said, “Love it, great staff and stuff. Fair prices and a large variety of various kinds of Kratom…Consider this your one stop Kratom shop.” Another reviewer wrote, “I Love coming here. They have many great quality products to choose from…The folks that work there are so welcoming and helpful in helping to find the best product at reasonable prices.” Elsewhere, a user said, “The little things make a big difference. I like the small…baggies the Kratom is put in, and that they gave me a plastic spoon for scooping. They have house blends that are interesting, and other strains I haven’t seen.”
While it is always nice to see your kratom IRL before, the reality is that most smoke shops sell pre-packaged kratom products. In other words, you’re not getting to submit their kratom tea to a smell or taste test. That being said, it is convenient to look a person in the eye when you’re purchasing their herbs. Some land-based apothecaries offer an atmosphere conducive to hanging out and meeting like-minded individuals. Others offer punch cards that you can use in-store to earn special rewards. There is a communal vibe to many neighborhood smoke shops and kava lounges, but this doesn’t make them the best or the cheapest.
On the other hand, you can purchase quality kratom powder from a wide range of online vendors without emptying your wallet. Some of the best kratom vendors also invest in third-party laboratory testing and quality control standards. What’s more, you can check an online vendors’ reputation by visiting the AKA’s list of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) participants. Some of the lowest prices on bulk kratom are found online, as are many of the rarest kratom strains. You can find kratom accessories, kratom potentiators, and signature blends with the click of a button.
Kratom Barrel is not a GMP-certified vendor, nor is there sufficient evidence to suggest its products are of actual value. This vendor does not disclose lab results, nor does it provide reliable contact information. Based on our research, we would be reluctant to recommend Kratom Barrel to anyone. There simply isn’t enough proof of its legitimacy.
