Learn more at About Us.
Kratom is federally legal, but as many users know, that is often only half of the story! States can pass laws to ban or regulate the plant in their jurisdiction, and some have. Is kratom legal in Alaska? Here’s what you need to know about Mitragyna speciosa in the Last Frontier.
As of 2023, kratom is legal in Alaska! The state has no legislation banning the plant (or alkaloids like mitragynine), which means it is legal. Using kratom, possessing it, buying and selling, manufacturing - you can do it all in Alaska.
But what does Alaska think about kratom, is its legal status settled, and where can you even buy it in this remote state? Thanks for checking out this guide to kratom law in Alaska. Let’s discuss all of these questions and more.
Is Kratom Legal in Alaska?
Kratom is legal in all 663,268 square miles of Alaska. America’s largest state is totally okay with Mitragyna speciosa, with no boroughs or municipalities taking action to ban it.
Of course, like all states, Alaska has laws on controlled substances. But nowhere in the legislature mentions kratom or the mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG) alkaloids.
Alaska is not connected by land to any other U.S. state, but it does share a land border with Canada. Kratom possession and personal use are legal in Canada. But the country does not allow vendors to market products for human consumption.
History of Kratom Law in Alaska
There is not much to say about kratom legislation in the Last Frontier. No attempts to ban the herb have been brought before the Alaska Senate or House of Representatives.
However, in late 2020, the state’s Board of Pharmacy recommended that the Governor classify mitragynine and 7-HMG as Schedule 3A (IIIA) drugs. Alaska defines Schedule 3A drugs as “having a degree of danger or probable danger to a person or the public.”
But that apparent danger must be considered less than severe than a Schedule 2A drug but more severe than a Schedule 4A drug! It’s somewhat vague and open to interpretation, but Alaska classifies substances like hashish and THC cannabinoids as Schedule 3A drugs.
Various factors influence the charges you may face for possessing a Schedule 3A substance in Alaska. These include what drug it is, how much you have, and where you were caught.
In February 2021, a report from Alaska’s Controlled Substances and Advisory Committee showed it was pushing forward with plans to recommend kratom for Schedule 3A status.
Strangely, I could not find any more information. I can only assume these plans amounted to nothing. Neither kratom nor mitragynine or 7-HMG
appear on the most recent list of Alaska’s Schedule 3A Controlled Substances.
Alaska Kratom Consumer Protection Act
The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) has garnered support in some U.S. states, but Alaska remains unacquainted with it. Advocacy groups support the KCPA because it helps keep consumers safe without making it harder to buy kratom.
Passing the KCPA in Alaska would…
Ban contaminated and dangerously adulterated kratom products
Stop companies from selling products containing synthetic kratom alkaloids
Require manufacturers to supply information on how to safely use products
Stop vendors from selling kratom-containing products to minors
These sound like level-headed regulations. But right now, Alaska (and more than 40 other U.S. states) doesn’t have them! However, provided the state does not attempt to ban kratom, regulation may have to wait as activists focus on bigger kratom legality issues.
Will Kratom Stay Legal in Alaska?
It seems so! With no bills to ban it and seemingly limited public interest, it’s hard to see a scenario where kratom would become illegal.
However, some people wrongly suggest that Alaska does not care about kratom. Yet comments from the Alaskan Board of Pharmacy, even though they were little publicized, indicate that is not true.
So, while I firmly expect kratom to stay legal in the Last Frontier, the state has some interest in the substance. This is another argument for passing the KCPA in Alaska.
Federal Kratom Law
If anything, the risk to legal kratom in Alaska could come from several thousands of miles away in Washington D.C. The federal government does not currently classify kratom as a controlled substance. But past events show the DEA’s desire to make it a Schedule I drug.
Expect the American Kratom Association (AKA) and other advocacy groups to fight hard if the DEA tries that trick again. But the point remains: if the federal government takes restrictive action on kratom, that could have ramifications in Alaska.
Where to Buy Kratom in Alaska
Even though kratom is legal in Alaska, given how vast the state is, you may struggle to find products outside of Anchorage. That is where the internet comes in! Online retailers will ship to anywhere in Alaska, so why not make things easy for yourself?
Moreover, some brick-and-mortar stores selling kratom in Alaska may fall short of what you expect. General stores, gas stations, and head shops are less likely to have the quality and variety of a boutique botanical shop. But you might not come across many of those in Alaska.
Purchasing kratom online is a smart call wherever you live, but especially in the Last Frontier. You will get more bang for your buck, find products better suited to you, and have no hassle acquiring them.
But if you live in Alaska and want kratom within the hour, you can buy kratom in person. These three shops prove it!
Final Thoughts
Legal and unregulated, Alaska’s kratom industry reflects that of most U.S. states. Things could be better, but Alaskans have it good! That said, the Board of Pharmacy once had kratom on its radar, so consumers should keep an eye on things.