Is Kratom Legal in Idaho?

Southeast Asian native tropical tree Kratom has been used for ages as a stimulant and traditional medicine. Alkaloids found in the leaves of the kratom tree interact with opioid receptors in the brain to produce effects that range from drowsiness and relaxation to pain alleviation and pleasure. The legal status of kratom, though, has generated debate and differs from state to state in the US. A timeline of the legalization of kratom in Idaho from 2012 to 2023 is provided below.

Because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) do not regulate kratom in the United States, its legal status differs from state to state.

While some states have outright bans on kratom, others have limits or rules on its use and sale. This essay will examine the present kratom legal landscape in Idaho, one of the states with the highest consumption rates nationwide.

Yes, kratom is permitted in Idaho, to put it simply. The possession, use, distribution, or sale of kratom is neither prohibited or constrained by any laws or regulations in the Gem State. Anyone above the age of 18 may buy, sell, or use kratom without facing any consequences.

Kratom's presence in Idaho doesn't guarantee complete safety or lack of regulation. Efforts to introduce legislation for consumer protection and quality standards have been ongoing. Striking the right balance between potential benefits and safety remains a priority in the state.

In 2020, a bill called the Kratom Consumer Protection Act of Idaho H 567 was introduced in the Idaho House of Representatives. This bill aimed to establish a registration and labeling system for kratom vendors, prohibit the sale of adulterated or synthetic kratom products, set a limit on the amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine (one of the main active alkaloids in kratom) in kratom products, and ban the sale of kratom to minors. The bill also proposed penalties for violations of these rules. However, the bill died in committee and did not become law.

In 2021, another bill with the same name and similar provisions was introduced in the Idaho House of Representatives. This bill was H 168 and it also sought to regulate kratom in Idaho and protect consumers from unsafe or fraudulent products. The bill passed the House unanimously but stalled in the Senate and did not become law either.

As of 2023, there is no active legislation regarding kratom in Idaho. This means that kratom remains legal but unregulated in the state. Therefore, consumers should exercise caution when buying or using kratom products and only purchase them from reputable vendors who test their products for purity and potency.

Timeline of Kratom Legality in Idaho

To better understand the legal status of kratom in Idaho, let's take a look at some of the key events and developments that have shaped it over the years.

Kratom legality in Idaho in 2023

June 3, 2023 Kratom is still legal but unregulated in Idaho. There is no active legislation regarding kratom in the state.

Kratom legality in Idaho in 2022

The AKA continues to lobby for the passage of the KCPA in Idaho and other states. The AKA claims that regulating kratom will protect consumers from unsafe products and ensure their access to a natural remedy that helps millions of Americans cope with pain, anxiety, depression, and addiction. The AKA also argues that banning kratom will only drive it underground and create a black market that will endanger public health and safety.

Kratom legality in Idaho in 2021

February 8, 2021: A new bill with the same name and similar provisions as H 567 was introduced in the Idaho House of Representatives by Representative Caroline Nilsson Troy. This bill was H 168 and it also aimed to regulate kratom in Idaho and protect consumers from unsafe or fraudulent products.
February 16, 2021: The bill H 168 passed the House unanimously with a vote of 70-0.
February 17, 2021: The bill H 168 was transmitted to the Senate.
March 8, 2021: The bill H 168 was read for the first time in the Senate and referred to the Agricultural Affairs Committee.
March 31, 2021: The bill H 168 died in committee.

Kratom legality in Idaho in 2020

February 28, 2020: The Kratom Consumer Protection Act of Idaho H 567 was introduced in the Idaho House of Representatives by Representative Caroline Nilsson Troy. The bill aimed to regulate kratom in Idaho by requiring vendors to register with the Department of Agriculture, label their products with information such as ingredients, alkaloid content, batch number, expiration date, and warning statements, prohibit the sale of adulterated or synthetic kratom products or products containing more than 2% 7-hydroxymitragynine, and ban the sale of kratom to minors. The bill also proposed penalties for violations of these rules.
March 9, 2020: The bill H 567 was referred to the Agricultural Affairs Committee.
March 13, 2020: The bill H 567 died in committee.

Kratom legality in Idaho in 2019

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that kratom was detected in 152 overdose deaths between July 2016 and December 2017. Of these, 91 were considered kratom-related deaths, but only seven involved kratom alone. The report suggested that kratom use was associated with a complex population of poly-drug users and that more research was needed on the toxicity of kratom and its interactions with other substances.

Kratom legality in Idaho in 2011 – 2017

According to data from Poison Control Centers (PCCs), the number of kratom exposures reported nationwide increased 52-fold during this period. Idaho had the highest kratom exposure rate in the U.S., with 4.9 cases per million population.

Conclusion

Kratom is a legal substance in Idaho that anyone over the age of 18 can buy, sell, or use without any legal consequences. However, kratom is also unregulated in the state, which means that consumers have no guarantee of the quality, safety, or authenticity of the products they purchase. Therefore, it is advisable to only buy kratom from reputable vendors who test their products for purity and potency and follow good manufacturing practices.