Kratom is currently legal in Colorado. But the states love and hate relationship to kratom is vast it covers plenty of events even only a period of a couple of years. As of the beginning of 2018, kratom is legal across the US. But even at a local level, the ban on kratom has been lifted.
Kratom in Colorado – the debate and the rulings
Kratom is now legal in Colorado. But it wasn’t always like this. Only a few months ago, the ban was lifted. It comes after 15 local shops have been imposed to stop selling kratom as a result of the ban. The DEA was actually planning to make the substance a Schedule 1 drug, similar to heroin. But even before DEA’s ruling, Denver lifted the ban. It also acknowledged its somewhat exotic history with its Asian roots. Its users and pro-kratom protesters argued, at the time, that kratom helped them with chronic pain and depression.
But this only happened after the events of November 2017. At that time, the state issued a ban on kratom and demanded the 15 shops selling it to withdraw the substance from its shelves. It has to be said that this enforcement came after the reported deaths from the kratom-related deaths and after the advisory information of the FDA.
A local Colorado publication wrote about the possible benefits of kratom even before the ban. It reported that the consumers of kratom were using it to reduce chronic pain and fight the symptoms of depression. At the time, it also noted that the products were not actually approved by the FDA.
The FDA played an important role in the ban and to a certain degree, it is understandable. In a public statement, the FDA showed that kratom and related products are coming from abroad from unknown and untested sources.
The organization also stated that it is aware people were consuming kratom for various medical reasons. They were also aware of its natural sources from Asian countries. At the same time, the FDA referred to the data which was available to them and which showed that kratom gives addiction in many cases. The data also showed that kratom was being consumed for recreational purposes. It is why it made the recommendation to limit all the shops to the products they can sell and even to go as far as to inform their customers not to purchase the products.
Another major argument brought to light by the FDA was the lack of data which supported the idea of having any benefits to kratom consumption. It is why so many people feel that more research needs to be done in the area. But at the same time, the research needs to be legal and as long as the ban was in place, there could be no legal studies done on the substance.
However, local media in Colorado continued to report on both the case of the FDA and on the experiences of people consuming kratom. All people who spoke to the media abided by the idea that kratom is beneficial to their health, chronic pain, and even anxiety. As in all states, when this was reported by the media both sides of the story were shown so that the people would be able to take a decision themselves. However, since then, many things have changed in Colorado. It is where the state lifted the ban and all 15 stores were able to sell kratom once more. At this time, consuming kratom is legal in Colorado. But even in these conditions, it is yet unknown how and if further research will clarify the issue for the end user. The FDA also needs to find a solution to work with the products which are sold in shops but which have no standard of quality at the moment.
Where to buy kratom in Colorado
If you are in Denver, there are a few shops you can turn to if you want to purchase kratom. You will need to be a citizen of Colorado to make the purchase.
The Kratom by Mile High Botanicals at CO 80222 is a good place to start. Customers love the long opening hours, the friendliness of the staff and all the information available on kratom products.
The Headed West at 1565 S Colorado Blvd Denver is a gem for many residents. Most of the products sold in the shop are actually made in Colorado, which means they can be traced back to their source.
The Colorado Herbal Imports at 4340 E Kentucky Ave Glendale is a recommended place for good customer service and for quality kratom products.
Final considerations
Buying kratom is now legal in Colorado. You can sell it and consume it as well. Just a year ago, this was not the case. But since things are moving forward fast, maybe it is an indication that Colorado can be one of the states to lead the way for the rest of the country, since it also makes many natural products with benefits similar to the ones of kratom. It is why the shops in Colorado are also a destination for many tourists visiting the area.
But even with all the praise, the customers still need to check the products themselves. There are reasons to consider that not all products are pure and that they need extra care when it comes to the accuracy of the label and the interpretation of the concentrations.
It is why many people need to find their trusted source when it comes to proper kratom products, which need to offer what they say they offer. Synthetic fillers are often leading to many unwanted events and health issues and you should work hard to avoid these products yourself, especially if you plan to consume kratom yourself. From a legal perspective, things are going to stay the same in Colorado. What remains to be seen is how the FDA will react to the legalization of kratom and how it will find a way to introduce a standard for its products.
Richard is a lifelong health enthusiast who has been studying supplements, nutrition, and exercise for over 20 years. He loves to try out new products and report his experience with them.
