Is Kratom Legal in New Jersey?
As of March 2018, mitragyna speciosa, or kratom, is legal without restriction in the state of New Jersey. Kratom enthusiasts can possess, sell, and distribute the leaf in any quantities without concern over legal persecution. It remains legal due to failed legislation that would have criminalized the alkaloids that grant all its effects, put forth by Assembly Bill 3281, which is detailed below.
Failed Legislation
The following includes legislation that failed to ban kratom in the state of New Jersey:
● Assembly Bill 4431, or A4431, was the original bill that intended to criminalize the manufacture, sale, and possession of kratom in the state. It was introduced the New Jersey Assembly on May 11,
2015, by Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer. Under this possession of kratom would have constituted “a crime of the fourth degree”, which is punishable by an 18-month prison sentence, a fine of $10,000, or both. The bill died in committee with 25% of the momentum it needed to pass, and was converted into A3281.
● Assembly Bill 3281, or A3281, was a carryover from A4431, introduced to the New Jersey State Assembly on February 22, 2016. It was also introduced and sponsored by Assemblyman Dancer. The bill had nearly the exact same wording as the previous, and like the previous, it died in committee with at 25%
Going Forward
With two failed bills in the state in the last few years, kratom appears to be safe at the state level in New Jersey for the time being. While the symptoms listed about kratom in the bills were alarmingly inaccurate, both were put forth by the same politician, and both died with little traction.
Where To Buy Kratom In New Jersey
Kratom can likely be found at one of your local smoke shops in the state of New Jersey. Occasionally it can be found in a herb store and gas stations as well. However, the best place to buy kratom in New Jersey is actually on the internet. Smoke shop kratom is typically more expensive & not quite as fresh as kratom that can be purchased from a reputable online kratom vendor. We also believe that the image of kratom is somewhat tainted because kratom is commonly sold at smoke shops. Kratom is an amazing natural plant that unfortunately gets sold alongside synthetic substances that have no medicinal value. This association is part of what can lead uneducated politicians to pass anti-kratom legislation and strip their constituents of their rights to purchase it. This is another reason why we believe it is better to purchase kratom on the internet from a reputable source vs. at a smoke shop.