The legal status of kratom varies from state to state. In Illinois, the answer to whether kratom is legal in Illinois depends on the city you are in. Buying Kratom everywhere in Illinois besides Edwardsville, Jerseyville, and Alton is legal.
Illinois is a state to watch when it comes to kratom laws. Throughout 2020, a battle will play out between some lawmakers who want to pass the Kratom Consumer Protection Act and others who want to ban kratom in Illinois. Before we dig deeper into that, let’s look at kratom’s legal history.
Is Kratom Legal In Illinois?
Kratom is legal in Illinois on a state level, but specific areas within the state have decided to ban kratom. These areas include Jerseyville, Alton, and Edwardsville. Statewide, you must be 18 to buy and use kratom.
Every state is different when it comes to the laws surrounding kratom. Some of the states have very little activity, while others have busy laws confusing avid kratom users. Currently, kratom is legal in Illinois, including prominent cities such as Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, Elgin, and Naperville.
Legalities of Kratom In Illinois
The Illinois state legislature passed a bill in 2014 to amend the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. As a result of this amendment, individuals under 18 are now legally allowed to buy or possess kratom. Selling kratom to a minor is considered a misdemeanor.
Although possessing it is not currently illegal for adults, a statewide prohibition may be passed in the future. If this were to happen, kratom would become a Schedule 1 drug, and possession would result in a minimum misdemeanor charge. In contrast, possession with the intent to distribute would be considered a felony.
While there is no statewide ban, a few cities have chosen to prohibit kratom within their limits.
In 2017, Jerseyville decided to prohibit the use of kratom, which was later followed by the city of Alton in 2018. Following the passing of the ban, the police chief of Alton was interviewed and claimed it was necessary to protect children from the potential dangers of kratom.
However, this perspective is not entirely truthful. A 2014 amendment had already established protections for minors. What Alton truly needed was a crackdown on vendors illegally selling kratom to minors rather than punishing responsible substance users.
In October of 2017, state rep. Katie Stuart, a Democrat from Edwardsville, introduced a bill to the state House of Representatives that would ban kratom statewide. The proposed legislation would have it a class B misdemeanor to possess any amount of kratom.
Unfortunately, the state Senate did not approve it in January 2019, so it could not become law.
This victory was relatively short-lived, though. On March 3, 2020, the neighboring Edwardsville passed a kratom ban, too. The AKA urged its members to send their kratom testimonials to the city council.
The city council voted 6-0 in favor of banning kratom despite receiving more than 200 emails supporting it. The fight over kratom's legality is still ongoing at the state level.
On February 6, lawmakers introduced the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). If passed, the KCPA would legalize the use, purchasing, and selling of kratom for individuals over 18 years old. It would also require rigorous lab testing to ensure purity and alkaloid levels, which would be displayed on the packaging.
However, two weeks later, another group of lawmakers introduced a bill banning kratom statewide. Currently, kratom is legal in Illinois, but its status may change in the coming months.
Is Kratom Popular In Illinois?
Now that you know the answer to “Is kratom legal in Illinois?” You may be wondering if it is popular. Yes, you can find kratom in numerous local shops throughout Illinois, including vape shops, smoke shops, and specialty stores. Additionally, when discussions about potential bans have arisen, kratom users have stepped forward to offer their assistance.
Is Kratom Classified In Illinois?
At this point, kratom is not classified on a state level. Some areas in Illinois have banned kratom, but the herb has not been listed as a controlled substance. However, there are a few pending legislations. Watch these bills closely and offer your support when it is needed.
Will Illinois Ban Kratom?
Although the answer to 'Is kratom legal in Illinois?' is yes, kratom is legal in this state. However, some areas in Illinois have already banned its use, so there is a high probability that it could be banned at the state level. However, the American Kratom Association has introduced the Kratom Consumer Protection Act to this state. They hope they will adopt this act, and the fear of kratom becoming banned will diminish. This bill will regulate the industry and make it safer for consumers.
The American Kratom Association
The American Kratom Association is the leading advocate for kratom in the US. They have been highly successful in their efforts to overturn laws attempting to ban kratom.
In addition, this association has developed GMP protocols for vendors to comply with. These guidelines are mandatory for vendors who want to join the AKA. We adhere to all GMP protocols and offer the best quality kratom.
To know more about the American Kratom Association and its active efforts, visit its website.
The Kratom Consumer Protection Act
The American Kratom Association drafted the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. This act aims to regulate the kratom industry, make vendors responsible for the quality of the kratom they are selling, and ensure safety for consumers.
The hurdle for kratom is the fact that this industry remains unregulated. Once regulations are in place, consumers will be able to use kratom without any issues freely. Also, lawmakers will have no reason to create bills against kratom.
The KCPA will cover various areas, including age restrictions, labeling, testing, and compliance. Kratom bans often arise due to the absence of regulations. The American Kratom Association is striving to encourage all states to adopt this act, which would enhance the safety of kratom for consumers and help maintain its legality nationwide.
The Illinois Senate has a pending bill for the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. However, they also have a bill that could ban kratom statewide. So, the livelihood of kratom is in their hands. Kratom users and the American Kratom Association hope that Illinois will choose to adopt the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
Shipping And Buying Kratom In Illinois
Many individuals opt to purchase kratom from online vendors due to better pricing and a wider variety of strains. However, some are concerned about the legalities of kratom and shipping.
It is the final destination that matters most when shipping kratom. As long as your package is going to an address in Illinois where kratom is legal, you should have no issue. All carriers must uphold federal laws. There are no laws surrounding kratom and shipping. So, you have nothing to worry about
Where Can You Buy Kratom in Illinois
Many local shops offer kratom in Illinois, including vape shops, smoke shops, and herbal shops. Here are just a few that you could try out.
The Cave Smoke Shop
- Location: 10099 Lincoln Trail, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
- Phone: (618) 489-1112
- Hours: Sunday - Thursday 10 to 9, Friday - Saturday 10 to 10
CBD KRATOM
- Location: 2048 N Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60647
- Phone: (312) 874-7377
- Hours: Monday - Sunday, 8 to 10
South Side Smoke Shop CBD & KRATOM
- Location: 6240 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60629
- Phone: (773) 498-6561
- Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10:30 to 8:00
WSC CBD Kava Kratom of Steger
- Location: 36 E 34th St, Steger, IL 60475
- Phone: (708) 248-5899
- Hours: Monday - Saturday, 11 to 7, Sunday, 11 to 5
Elevated Minds (CBD Kratom Pipes)
- Location: 2036 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
- Phone: (773) 698-6430
- Hours: Sunday - Monday, 11 to 9; Tuesday - Saturday, 11 to 10
Buying Kratom From An Online Vendor
Buying kratom online can save you money and is convenient. It will show up at your doorstep in a few days, which is a significant bonus for most people. However, like anything else you buy online, you have to take precautions. So here are some tips to help you out.
- Be sure that the vendor is registered with the American Kratom Association.
- Read reviews to get a feel for the vendor’s customer service and product quality.
- Be sure that the vendor offers lab testing on their products.
- Check the labels to make sure that the products they offer are 100% all-natural Mitragyna Speciosa.
These tips will help you find a vendor that offers quality kratom and that you can buy from for years to come.
Oasis Kratom
We are proud members of the American Kratom Association, which means that we offer high-quality products that follow GMP rules. Each lot is tested more than nine times for ingredients to guarantee its 100% natural Mitragyna Speciosa. Visit our Laboratory Tests page to learn more about our quality guarantee measures or to ask for a copy of our most current laboratory test results.
Please let us know if you have any questions when exploring our website. We hope this blog has helped answer your question, “Is kratom legal in Illinois?” If you are looking for other states, check out our legality page.