Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) is a plant from Southeast Asia that’s widely considered a healthy alternative to conventional drugs.
Kratom’s perceived therapeutic properties are backed by plenty of scientific and anecdotal evidence. However, its legality remains nuanced across the world.
In this article, we’ll highlight the three critical things to know before legally possessing, distributing, or is kratom legal in Canada.
Kratom Is Unrestricted In Canada
Canada is renowned for opening its borders to medicinal herbs, whose legality remains questionable in other countries around the world, with cannabis being a noteworthy mention. The same receptiveness is evident when it comes to Mitragyna speciosa.
Kratom is currently unregulated under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in Canada. That makes it technically legal at the federal level.
Kratom Canada law implies that retailers can sell and distribute kratom-based products without running afoul of the law. Similarly, consumers can legally possess and use this powerful Asian herb to manage various medical conditions that are commonly touted to relieve.
Presently, there appears to be no restrictions on kratom’s use in Canada’s provinces and territories either. That’s a stark contrast from the United States, where the herb is federally legal but heavily regulated in at least 22 states.
However, Canadian provinces have historically enforced local regulations that govern access to substances that remain unrestricted at the federal level. While there appears to be no specific province mulling restricting kratom within its territories, we cannot entirely rule out that possibility. You could wake up one morning to realize the herb has been criminalized in your jurisdiction.
Besides, local health and administrative authorities might issue advisories against kratom and its use, dealing a massive blow to vendors and consumers alike.
Moreover, certain Canadian municipalities may enforce zoning laws. Such regulations restrict where kratom retailers can legally sell or advertise their products. They also ban consumers from possessing or using kratom in specific places, with a view to controlling access to the herb.
Lastly, there may be age restrictions for anyone intending to purchase kratom. Again, the trick is to stay abreast of kratom’s regulatory framework at both the federal and provincial levels.
Kratom Vendors Are Subject To Federal Restrictions
Although kratom is unrestricted in Canada at the federal level, vendors must abide by certain conditions to remain in business.
First, the Canadian federal department mandated to safeguard public health – Health Canada – hasn’t authorized kratom. The agency has publicly voiced concerns about the herb’s potential risks for adverse effects.
According to Health Canada, kratom’s dominant alkaloids – mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine – may cause addiction and dependency due to their interactions with opioid receptors in the brain.
Well, it’s important to note that these fears aren’t hinged on solid research. Studies have shown that kratom binds partially to opioid receptors, unlike conventional opioid drugs like morphine. As a partial opioid agonist, kratom presents fewer risks of addiction than regular opioids.
That said, Health Canada is convinced that the herb may be injurious to consumers’ health and is reserved about authorizing it for medical consumption.
In fact, the agency has previously recalled kratom products, citing potential risks to consumers. While these recalls are few and far between, they can happen anytime and often without warning. To the affected retailers, that could result in devastating losses.
Another regulation pertains to kratom’s formulations.
Both Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) do not consider kratom as a dietary supplement. Therefore, the departments technically restrict consumable kratom goods. Adhering to these regulations is paramount for any aspiring kratom trader in Canada.
There Are Legal Ways Around Federal Restrictions
While Health Canada and the CFIA enforce two critical conditions on the sale of kratom within Canadian borders, vendors have since devised ingenious ways to bypass those restrictions without breaking the law.
The first and most important strategy is to operate a duly licensed store. Note that Health Canada is still responsible for licensing kratom-related businesses.
Second, vendors must not market their kratom supplements for therapeutic purposes.
It’s undeniably true that kratom may remedy several ailments, including body aches and mood swings. But since Health Canada hasn’t authorized the herb for medical use, it’s prudent to desist from pitching it as a healing drug.
Retailers should particularly avoid making definitive health claims on their kratom labels. Instead of using a phrase like “kratom can cure insomnia,” consider a less definitive statement like “kratom may improve sleep quality.”
In the same breath, kratom vendors must highlight any potential adverse effects associated with the herb. This isn’t just necessary for compliance. It also portrays your company as mindful of its consumers’ safety.
As for the restriction on consumable goods, there are plenty of alternative formulations that kratom comes in. Vendors may consider kratom-enriched topicals or kratom-based vape juices.
Note that these pointers also apply to kratom importation and exportation.
Businesses that intend to import kratom into Canada or ship the herb out of the country must ensure their goods meet the minimum requirements for Natural Health Products. Those include having an import/export permit, providing an NPN number, and clearly describing their products to customs authorities.
Final Word
Mitragyna speciosa is unrestricted in Canada as long as vendors observe certain regulatory guidelines.
However, kratom’s legal landscape can shift in a blink. Therefore, it’s imperative to stay updated on all developments and adhere to any regulatory changes to achieve total compliance.
