Is Kratom Legal in New York?
As of January 2018, kratom is legal without restriction in the state of New York.
There is some legislation pending in the state, which is covered below. New York, considered the picture of progressive thinking, is surprisingly one of the more oppositional states when it comes to alternative medicine. This is likely due to drug epidemics that have plagued the city since the 1970s, which have caused its leaders to take a wary stance against anything new. The hope of kratom advocates is that the legislation will bring about testing and more in-depth research, which will show that it is in fact a harmless herbal supplement.
Legislation about Kratom in New York
The following is each of passed or pending legislation involving kratom in the state of New York:
● Senate Bill 6924, or S6924–This bill, introduced to the N.Y. State Senate on October 20, 2017 by Senator Pamela Helming, asserts that individuals purchasing kratom must provide a valid ID that shows they are over 18 years old. The bill received little opposition from kratom advocates, as the general consensus among them is that an age restriction is an acceptable compromise to an outright ban. Many advocates believe the age restriction is necessary even without the compromise.
● Assembly Bill 8787, or A8787–This is a companion bill for S6924, which is detailed above. Both bills were sent to the Senate Health Committee for New York on January 3, 2018, and are considered pending.
● Assembly Bill 231, or A231–Introduced by Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther on January 5, 2017, this bill proposes an outright ban on the alkaloids that make up kratom. The bill was sent to the Economic Development Committee on January 3, 2018, and is currently under review.
Going Forward
With three pending legislations on the table in New York that moved along the bureaucratic line within the past month (January 2018), the state faces a telling year for the future of kratom. While the age restriction is widely considered a reasonable precaution against underage abuse, the outright ban is closely attached. Still, New York politics have shown a keen eye from diplomatic resolution over the years, so there is reason for advocates to be hopeful.
Where To Buy Kratom In New York
Kratom can be purchased at most smoke shops in New York state. We recommend finding a reputable kratom vendor online because they will likely carry higher quality kratom at a better price than you will find at a smoke shop. Because these online companies only sell one product (kratom), its reasonable to assume they devote more resources and attention to sourcing the best kratom available on the market.