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The West Coast state of Washington is known for its openness toward emerging substances, including marijuana. But does that attitude extend to Mitragyna speciosa? In this article, I will answer, “Is kratom legal in Washington?”
Good news, kratom lovers! Kratom is legal in Washington state! What’s more, it is legal in every inch of Washington, with no local jurisdictions imposing bans. However, as of February 2023, the Evergreen State has an unregulated kratom market.
What does the future hold for kratom in Washington? Has the state tried banning it in the past? Where can you buy kratom in Washington? Let's get to answering all these questions and more.
Is Kratom Legal in Washington?
Yes, you can manufacture, possess, sell, intend to sell, buy, use, and do just about anything else with kratom in Washington! The plant is not a controlled substance and nor are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the alkaloids responsible for the bulk of kratom's effects.
Washington lawmakers have so far adopted a hands-off approach. While not banning kratom, the absence of regulation makes things more difficult for shoppers. Learning how to distinguish high-quality brands from sketchy ones is a must.
It is worth noting that kratom is also legal in Idaho and Oregon, the two states bordering Washington. So, no need to worry if you cross state lines without realizing it.
Has Washington Attempted to Ban Kratom?
Kratom has a limited legal history in Washington. While lawmakers in many states have tried banning or regulating kratom, this has not been the case here. That is perhaps surprising, as it only takes one legislator to introduce a long-shot bill.
Washington has a Uniform Controlled Substances Act, which mostly mirrors the federal Controlled Substances Act. If the state ever restricts kratom, it will likely happen by amending this act. Hopefully, it will never come to that.
Kratom Consumer Protection Act for Washington
The American Kratom Association (AKA) wants all Americans protected by the KCPA. Currently, this regulation is only effective in a handful of states.
The KCPA would impose guidelines on manufacturers and vendors, lifting safety standards in the industry. The act proposes purity tests, labeling requirements, age limits, and more.
Here are five ways the KCPA could bring positive regulation to Washington’s kratom market.
Ban products containing synthetic kratom alkaloids, such as synthetic mitragynine
Stop manufacturers from selling products with adulterated non-kratom substances
Require manufacturers to supply an ingredients list and alkaloid concentration breakdown
Cap 7-hydroxymitragynine levels at 2% of the overall alkaloid content in a product
Ban the sale of kratom products to minors
Getting dangerous synthetic and contaminated products off the market would be good for consumers and the industry. And I think we can all agree that minors should not be able to buy kratom.
In addition, requiring manufacturers to state a product’s alkaloid content will help people dose responsibly. Kratom overdose is possible, hence why companies should provide consumers with accurate data about their products.
Will Kratom Stay Legal in Washington?
History suggests that banning kratom is not on Washington’s agenda. However, that the state has said little about kratom makes for some unpredictability. I hope Washington would be open to passing the KCPA, but we won’t know until somebody tries!
Washington could take a leaf from Colorado’s book, a state it is closely aligned with on marijuana. Kratom regulation is coming to Colorado, with products possibly being sold in dispensaries. Such a model might work well in Washington, too.
Kratom and Federal Law
We cannot forget the role the federal government could play. Since Washington does not have an independent stance on kratom, it could write any changes at the federal level into state law.
This is cause for concern. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hardly thinks fondly of kratom. We haven’t seen a ban attempt since the failed effort of 2016-17, but not everybody believes the federal government is finished with kratom.
Click here for an in-depth analysis of kratom at the federal level.
Where to Buy Kratom Products in Washington?
Let’s not worry about that for now, though! Let’s think about how to buy kratom in Washington’s unregulated market. Shops in Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma can take care of your kratom needs. But where can you get it, and what should you look for?
Brick-and-mortar stores in these categories will often sell kratom:
Specialist kratom vendors
Smoke shops
Head shops
Gas stations
Convenience stores
I recommend ruling out the latter two in your search for kratom in Washington. Shopping at these stores in an unregulated state makes it more likely that you will buy something sketchy.
Wherever you buy, ask to see third-party lab results for the product. Genuine vendors are happy to show their kratom products are potent and not contaminated. This is not too much to ask, and it is a massive red flag if the store does not even know what third-party testing is!
However, even premium vendors have an inescapable problem: the price! Running a physical store is expensive, and companies charge more for products than online shops to make up the difference. I also find more product variety when shopping for kratom on the web.
But the number of brick-and-mortar vendors in business shows there is still a market for these places! If you like shopping at the store or want your kratom ASAP, try one of these three Washington stores.
Final Thoughts
As of February 2023, kratom users in Washington have nothing to fear. Don’t expect any prohibition attempts anytime soon. But if there is an effort to pass the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, that would be brilliant news.