Is Kratom Legal in New Jersey?

 

Is Kratom Legal in New Jersey? - Latest Legality News 2023

Kratom is a natural herb that has been used for centuries in Southeast Asia for various purposes, including pain relief, energy boost, and mood enhancement. However, the legal status of kratom in the United States is not clear, as different states have different laws and regulations regarding its use and sale. In this blog post, we will explore the history of kratom legality in New Jersey, one of the most populous states in the country.


kratom in New Jersey - latest legality news

Kratom Legality in New Jersey - The Current Status

Kratom is legal in New Jersey in 2023, but the state is considering regulating its sale. There is no age restriction on who can buy or use kratom.

The FDA has not approved kratom for any medical use, and it has raised concerns about the safety of this herb. Some people have reported side effects from kratom, such as nausea, vomiting, and seizures. However, other studies have shown that kratom can be safe when used responsibly.


Kratom Legality in New Jersey: A Timeline of Events

Kratom Legality in New Jersey in 2023: Kratom Consumer Protection Act - Amendments

In June 2023, after several hearings and amendments for bill NJ S3549:

  • Kratom vendors must register with the Department of Health and pay an annual fee of $500
  • Kratom products must be labeled with information such as ingredients, net weight, alkaloid content (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine), batch number, expiration date, and a warning statement
  • Kratom products must be tested by a certified laboratory for contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, bacteria, and fungi.
  • Kratom products must not contain more than 2% of 7-hydroxymitragynine or any other synthetic alkaloids or substances
  • Kratom products must not be sold to anyone under the age of 18
  • Kratom vendors must comply with the rules and regulations of the Department of Health and the Attorney General

The law also established a Kratom Advisory Council, composed of representatives from the Department of Health, the Attorney General's Office, the AKA, the kratom industry, and the medical and scientific community. The council is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the safety and efficacy of kratom and making recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor regarding its regulation.

The enactment of the KCPA in New Jersey was celebrated by kratom advocates and consumers as a major victory for kratom rights and access. The law also set an example for other states that are considering regulating or banning kratom in the future.

Kratom Legality in New Jersey in 2022: Kratom Consumer Protection Act Proposed

In January 2022, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano introduced bill NJ S3549, which proposed to regulate the sale and distribution of kratom in New Jersey under the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). The KCPA is a model legislation that has been adopted by several states across the country, including Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Colorado, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida. The KCPA aims to ensure that kratom products are safe and pure for consumers by setting standards for labeling, testing, packaging, and age restrictions. The KCPA also prohibits the sale of adulterated or synthetic kratom products that contain other substances or higher concentrations of alkaloids than naturally occurring in the plant. The bill was referred to the Assembly Health Committee for further consideration.

Kratom Legality in New Jersey in 2021: Kratom Remains Legal

As of December 2021, kratom remains legal in New Jersey, as there is no current ban or regulation on its sale or possession. However, there is also no quality control or consumer protection for kratom products in the state. Therefore, it is important for kratom users to be careful and vigilant when buying kratom from local vendors or online sources. It is advisable to look for reputable and reliable vendors who test their products for purity and potency and provide lab results upon request. It is also recommended to avoid buying kratom from gas stations, head shops, or convenience stores, as these places may sell low-quality or adulterated products that could pose health risks.

Kratom Legality in New Jersey in 2020: The Third Attempt to Ban Kratom

In January 2020, Assemblyman Dancer made another attempt to ban kratom by reintroducing the same bill as NJ A2236. The bill was once again referred to the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee. However, this time, the committee decided to hold a hearing on the bill on March 5th, 2020. The hearing was attended by several kratom advocates and experts, who presented scientific evidence and personal stories in favor of keeping kratom legal. Some of the speakers included Dr. Jack Henningfield, a leading addiction expert and pharmacologist; Mac Haddow, the senior fellow on public policy at the AKA; and C.M. "Mac" Warner, a former U.S. Army Special Forces officer and West Virginia Secretary of State. The committee members listened to the testimonies and asked questions about kratom's benefits and risks. The hearing ended without a vote on the bill.

Kratom Legality in New Jersey in 2018: The Second Attempt to Ban Kratom

In January 2018, Assemblyman Dancer reintroduced the same bill as NJ A3281, with no changes or amendments. The bill was again assigned to the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee, where it faced strong opposition from kratom advocates and consumers. The American Kratom Association (AKA), a non-profit organization that promotes the safe and responsible use of kratom, launched a petition to keep kratom legal in New Jersey, which gathered over 6,000 signatures. The AKA also organized a rally at the State House Annex in Trenton, where dozens of kratom supporters voiced their testimonies and experiences with the herb. The bill did not advance out of the committee.

Kratom Legality in New Jersey in 2015: The First Bill to Ban Kratom

In February 2015, Assemblyman Ronald Dancer introduced bill NJ A4431, which aimed to criminalize kratom and its alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. and make its possession, manufacture, distribution, and marketing a state felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. The bill also proposed to add kratom to the list of Schedule I controlled substances, along with heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. The bill was referred to the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee, but it never received a hearing or a vote.

Kratom Legality in New Jersey in 2014: Legal but Still Under Scrutiny

There were no major events related to the legality of kratom in New Jersey in 2014. However, the FDA continued to warn about the potential risks of kratom, and the DEA continued to raid kratom vendors.

Kratom Legality in New Jersey in 2013: FDA Warnings

In 2013, there were no major events related to the legality of kratom in New Jersey. However, the FDA issued a public safety communication in February 2013, which warned about the potential risks of kratom, including addictionliver damage, and death. The FDA also stated that kratom is not a safe or effective treatment for any medical condition.

Kratom Legality in New Jersey in 2012: Kratom Introduction

Kratom gains popularity as an herbal supplement in New Jersey. It is commonly used for pain relief, energy enhancement, and relaxation.


Kratom Forms Available in New Jersey

Kratom is available in various forms in New Jersey, similar to other states where kratom is legal. Common forms of kratom products that you could find in New Jersey included:

Kratom Powder: This is one of the most popular and widely available forms of kratom. It consists of finely ground kratom leaves and can be ingested by mixing it with water, juice (Customer choice: Grapefruit juice), or other beverages, or it can be used to make kratom capsules.

Kratom Capsules: Kratom capsules contain measured doses of powdered kratom. They are convenient for those who prefer precise dosing and a more controlled method of ingestion.

Kratom Extracts: Kratom extracts are concentrated forms of kratom made by extracting the active alkaloids from the leaves. They are available in liquid shots or capsules form and are known for their potency.

It's important to note that the availability of these forms may vary depending on the vendor and the local market. Additionally, since the legal status of kratom can change, it's essential to ensure that you are purchasing from a reputable source and complying with any relevant laws and regulations in New Jersey if you intend to buy or use kratom. Always stay updated on the most current legal information regarding kratom in your area.

Where to Buy Kratom in New Jersey

There are many different vendors and brands offering kratom products both in physical stores and online. When purchasing kratom products, it's essential to consider the following:

  • Reputation and Reviews: Look for vendors and brands with a good reputation and positive customer reviews. This can help ensure that you are buying high-quality kratom products.
  • Lab Testing: Some reputable kratom vendors conduct third-party lab testing on their products to ensure quality and purity. Look for brands that provide lab test results for their kratom products.
  • Variety of Strains: Different strains of kratom may have different effects, so consider brands that offer a variety of strains to choose from.
  • Customer Service: Good customer service can be important if you have questions or concerns about the products you're buying.
  • Legal Compliance: Make sure that the brand you choose is in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations regarding the sale and distribution of kratom in New Jersey.
  • To find specific brands available in New Jersey, you can try searching online for kratom vendors that ship to your area or check with local smoke shops, herbal stores, or wellness shops. Remember to verify the legal status of kratom in New Jersey and purchase from reputable sources to ensure product quality and safety

Kratom users in New Jersey should stay informed about the latest developments in kratom regulation and only purchase kratom from reputable vendors who test and certify their products for quality and purity.

Top Kratom Brands in New Jersey

The availability of kratom brands can depend on local smoke shops, wellness stores, and online retailers. Here are a few popular kratom brands that were known nationally and could potentially be found in New Jersey

  • OPMS Kratom: OPMS (Organically Purified Mitragyna Speciosa) is a well-known brand that produces kratom extract products, including powders, capsules and liquid shots.
  • Remarkable Herbs Kratom: They are known for offering a one of the best powders in variety of kratom strains. While Remarkable Herbs is one of the many kratom brands available in the market, they have gained recognition for their products.
  • Whole Herbs Kratom: Reputable kratom brand offering a variety of kratom strains in various forms, capsules and powder. They often emphasize quality control and safety.
  • MIT45 Kratom: Brand that offers high-potency kratom extract products. This brand is known for producing kratom extracts that are considerably more concentrated than traditional kratom powder or capsules.

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