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Since emerging in the U.S. in the 1990s, kratom’s popularity has grown year-on-year. But with widespread use comes legal scrutiny, with more states than ever thinking about how to approach the plant. And that has people asking, “Is kratom legal in Oklahoma?”
Kratom is legal in Oklahoma and regulated via the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. While the Sooner State considered banning the substance in the mid-2010s, it eventually went down a pragmatic regulatory route.
Oklahoma is a perfect example of a state getting it right on kratom. Join me as we explore the history of kratom in the state and examine how the market works. We have lots to talk about, so let’s get right to it.
Is Kratom Legal in Oklahoma in 2023?
Yes, kratom is legal everywhere in Oklahoma! With no legal caveats of obscure counties and towns passing bans, the state has a simple legal landscape. Companies can manufacture kratom products, retailers can sell them, and consumers can buy, possess, and use them!
However, Oklahoma’s government has more involvement with the kratom industry than many state governments. Rather than allowing a Wild West market to persist, lawmakers have imposed regulation via the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
A word of warning: Oklahoma and Arkansas share a border. While kratom is legal in the former, kratom is banned in Arkansas - simply being caught in possession of kratom can lead to a jail sentence. Know where the state border is, and never take kratom into Arkansas.
The History of Kratom Law in Oklahoma
But while kratom law in Oklahoma works well now, the situation did not always look so rosy. Indeed, the plant was at risk of becoming a Schedule I drug in 2014. Here’s what went down.
Oklahoma House Bill 2666 (OK HB2666)
In February 2014, lawmakers introduced a bill (OK HB2666) to add substances to the state’s Controlled Dangerous Substances list. Among those substances were mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the top two alkaloids in kratom.
The bill came following a recommendation from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. At the time, we saw media stories about kratom being a growing drug trend and popular among children. The Bureau’s spokesman even compared kratom to heroin and LSD!
This all happened in a rush. And remember that the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had not tried banning kratom by then. Therefore, the plant was still somewhat unknown to the public. It sure seemed like some lawmakers were trying to fast-track prohibition.
However, OK HB2666 gave the kratom community a chance to showcase its organizational skills. More than 1,200 people signed a Change.org petition, appealing to the Oklahoma Public Committee to remove mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine from the bill.
In a vital victory, their voices were heard. These kratom alkaloids were removed from OK HB2666 before it was voted on and signed by the governor!
Oklahoma Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA)
The Oklahoma Legislature made no additional attempts to ban kratom after 2014. But in 2021, the state took the landmark decision to pass the Oklahoma KCPA.
From once being close to making kratom illegal, the Sooner State now had a regulated market!
The first regulation effort came the year before, with Oklahoma House Bill 2846 (OK HB2846).
While the legislation passed in the House, it died in the Health and Human Services Committee of the Oklahoma Senate. But that did not deter lawmakers!
In February 2021, Rep. Daniel Pae (R) and Sen. Lonnie Paxton (R) introduced Oklahoma House Bill 1784 (OK HB1784). The KCPA was approved by the House and the Senate before being signed into law by Governor Kevin Stitt.
OK HB1784 has consequences for vendors and consumers. Here are a few examples of how the KCPA is changing the kratom market in Oklahoma.
Products must not be adulterated with non-kratom substances
7-hydroxymitragynine must not exceed 2% of a kratom product’s alkaloid content
Product labeling must state the quantity of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine present
Products must not be sold to persons under 18 years of age
Products must not contain synthetic alkaloids (i.e., synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine)
These come across as common-sense changes that will improve the kratom industry in Oklahoma for everybody. The KCPA should make it easier for people to access high-quality kratom while stopping minors from accessing products.
The Future of Kratom in Oklahoma
Passing the KCPA has brought certainty to the kratom market in Oklahoma - something consumers in many states can only dream of! And since the state once considered banning kratom, this must be seen as a success for vendors and consumers.
At the state level, kratom’s future looks bright in Oklahoma. It is difficult to see how lawmakers could u-turn on the KCPA unless damaging research comes to light about the effects of kratom. However, lawmakers may amend and refine the KCPA over time.
Kratom at the Federal Level
Kratom’s legality in Oklahoma could be threatened if the federal government ever schedules the plant - or its alkaloids - as a controlled substance.
While there are no current public plans to do so, the DEA pushed for this in 2016. And it is something the kratom industry has not forgotten.
Where to Buy Kratom Products in Oklahoma?
Thanks to the KCPA, finding premium kratom products in Oklahoma is easier than ever. With strict requirements of vendors and clear product labeling, you are at less risk of buying something impure or incorrectly advertised.
Many stores sell kratom in Oklahoma, from gas stations to specialist retailers. If buying kratom from a brick-and-mortar store, it is best to shop somewhere that actually knows about the products it is selling.
However, I mostly buy kratom online. It is cheaper and more convenient, and I have more time to read up about a product before parting with my money. The top-performing online kratom stores are hot on transparency and provide third-party lab results for the products they sell.
But physical stores have their uses, particularly if you want to buy kratom now, rather than wait for it to ship. If you are in Oklahoma for any reason, here are three stores where you could pick up some kratom products today.
Final Thoughts
Oklahoman kratom users have never had it better! Enacting the KCPA has consolidated the substance’s legal status while boosting industry standards. This is the best way for states to adapt to kratom’s soaring popularity. I hope that others are watching and learning!