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With federal and state laws to consider, kratom legislation can soon get confusing and contradictory. Since you are here, you must be looking for an answer to the question, "Is kratom legal in Connecticut?" Let's cut to the chase.
Good news - kratom is legal in Connecticut! The Constitution State has never passed a kratom-related law, meaning the substance is 100% legal but unregulated. Furthermore, kratom is legal in every part of CT.
Even so, there is still much to explore regarding kratom in Connecticut. I have some legal history to run through and some speculation on what may happen in the months and years ahead. I will also talk you through how to find high-quality products. Keep reading for all that and more!
Is Kratom Legal in Connecticut?
Yes, and the Connecticut General Assembly website has all the crucial information. Kratom is not a controlled substance in the state, and there is no pending legislation to ban the plant or its active compounds.
I was impressed at how clearly the state government describes the situation, with details on the federal law and info on other states. Not every state goes this far to keep people informed!
Furthermore, kratom is legal in all of Connecticut’s 169 municipalities. Nowhere restricts Mitragyna speciosa or the mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG) indole alkaloids. I am sure kratom users in some states are envious of such a simple legal landscape!
Be aware that Connecticut has a land border with Rhode Island, where kratom is banned and a Schedule I controlled substance. If you travel to Rhode Island for any reason, leave your kratom at home. The authorities won’t care that you are a Connecticut resident if they catch you.
History of Kratom Law in Connecticut
While the Connecticut General Assembly has never passed any kratom legislation, the substance has received more attention recently.
That is unusual. Most states with concerns raised them years ago, when kratom was relatively unknown, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) expressed worries. So, what has been going on in Connecticut?
Connecticut House Bill 6539 (CT HB06539)
In June 2021, three House representatives and the House Judiciary Committee sponsored a bill calling for a study into kratom use in Connecticut.
The aims of CT HB06539 included:
Estimating the total kratom use among the population
Determining how many individuals aged under 21 had used/were using kratom
The kratom addiction or dependency rate in Connecticut
How people consume kratom
Whether kratom has any medicinal value
The feasibility and estimated efficacy of banning kratom
Depending on the findings, CT HB06539 could have created the conditions to make kratom a controlled substance in Connecticut. However, after passing a House Roll Call Vote, the bill died in the Senate.
Connecticut House Bill 5134 (CT HB05134)
A similar bill appeared in January 2023, this time sponsored by Rep. Devin Carney (R). CT HB05134 would have required the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection to study kratom’s effects and provide recommendations for regulation.
The bill was referred to the Joint Committee on General Law, where it has stayed. It is currently unclear whether CT HB05134 will progress further. But many bills get stuck and ultimately die in committee.
Connecticut Senate Bill 920 (CT SB00920)
In late January 2023, Rep. Craig Fishbein (R) and the House Committee on Children introduced a bill to ban kratom product sales to individuals under 21. CT SB00920 is pretty much a targeted and limited form of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
The bill would require vendors to ask people for proof of age when buying kratom. Anybody caught selling, giving, or delivering kratom to persons under 21 would be subject to financial penalties. These fines would increase with multiple offenses.
It’s still early days. Whether CT SB00920 will fail, pass in its current state, or pass in an amended form remains to be seen.
Connecticut Kratom Consumer Protection Act
Connecticut has previously dabbled with passing a more complete version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). The act is becoming popular in states concerned about kratom safety. It also has the benefit of being developed by the industry’s supporters.
Think of it like this: if kratom is going to be regulated, it’s better if those in favor come up with suggestions instead of those who would ultimately prefer it was banned.
Connecticut House Bill 6333 (CT HB06333)
In 2021, Rep. Quentin Williams (D) and Sen. Julie Kushner (D) sponsored a bill to regulate the industry and get contaminated and adulterated kratom off the shelves. Vendors could have been punished with fines and other penalties for violating the act.
CT HB06333 died in committee, but more recent bills show that legislators have not given up on regulating kratom.
Will Connecticut Keep Kratom Legal?
It doesn’t look like Connecticut wants to ban kratom anytime soon. Until recently, politicians seemed unbothered by kratom. And presently, they appear more inclined toward regulation than prohibition.
However, the recent legislative interest makes me a little wary, especially since kratom is banned in Rhode Island. Hopefully, the push for sensible regulation will continue, and lawmakers will steer clear of more restrictive measures.
Federal Kratom Law
Whether kratom stays legal in the Land of Steady Habits could be impacted by what happens at the federal level. Right now, the DEA tolerates kratom - but that doesn’t mean the agency likes it.
If the DEA ever pushes through plans to make kratom a controlled substance, that may have a ripple effect in Connecticut. More positively, passing federal regulation through a consumer protection act could strengthen the rights of the state’s kratom users.
Discover more about the consequences of federal kratom law here.
Where to Buy Kratom in Connecticut
Acquiring kratom in Connecticut is easy, although finding genuine products is a little trickier. You have an unregulated market to navigate, so you must be familiar with what to look for when shopping.
Many convenience stores, gas stations, and head shops stock kratom. But just because it’s accessible doesn’t mean it’s high-quality. These vendors don’t tend to be hot on third-party testing, leaving you clueless as to whether your kratom is pure, clean, and unadulterated.
Specialist botanical stores care much more about this. After all, their business success depends on stocking premium kratom. But premium comes at a price, especially when taking into account the running costs of a brick-and-mortar retailer.
Buying kratom online eliminates the price problem! And not only is the kratom better value for money, but the best vendors also put your mind at ease with third-party lab results for all products.
But if you are looking for a physical kratom vendor in Connecticut, you have various options, including these shops:
