Is Kratom Legal In Malaysia? Uncover The Truth

Kratom originates from Southeast Asia, but countries such as Malaysia and Thailand have banned its use. However, Thailand decriminalized kratom in 2021, and Malaysia is now considering following in their footsteps. The real question remains, “Is kratom legal in Malaysia?” We answer this question and much more in this article.

History Of Kratom In Malaysia

Back in the 19th century, opium was very popular in Malaysia. This led to a shortage of opium, which is why so many people turned to kratom. Officials realized that kratom was taking away from opium sales, one of the main reasons kratom was added to the Poisons Act 1952.

Placing kratom on this list caused it to be illegal for all Malaysian citizens. If you were caught with kratom, you would face criminal charges. Traditionally, kratom was utilized in cultural ceremonies. Farmers were known to pluck the leaves from the Mitragyna speciosa trees and chew them.

Even though kratom was banned in Malaysia, the trees still grow throughout the forests and jungles of this country. Check out this post if you want to read more about Malaysian kratom.

Is Kratom Legal In Malaysia?

At the moment, there is ongoing discussion about: is kratom legal in Malaysia, along with considerations for legalizing cannabis for medical use. This was a shock because both herbs have been banned here for decades. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has been conversing with Malaysia’s ambassador to Thailand, Jojie Samuel.

During their discussion, studies, and knowledge surrounding cannabis and about the question "Is kratom legal in Malaysia?" were exchanged. Currently, Malaysia is digging into the laws to see what it would take to legalize cannabis and kratom.

Austin says, “If Malaysia announces cannabis legalization for medical use, it will become the second Asian country to remove it from the narcotics list.”

He also stated that Thailand has successfully transitioned from taking these two herbs off the Poisons Act and reintroducing them for medical purposes. Thailand has laws in place to allow the use of cannabis in public areas.

Kratom is still illegal in Malaysia, but it looks like officials want to follow in Thailand’s footsteps and remove it from the Poisons Act.

Dangerous Drugs Act of 1952

While some officials are looking to legalize kratom and cannabis, others are pushing to remove kratom from the Poisons Act of 1952 and add it to the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1952. So, what would be the difference?

The Dangerous Drugs Act bears harsher penalties. However, the motion to move kratom from one Act to another has been stopped. Higher-ups did not believe purchasing kratom in Malaysia posed such a severe threat that it needed to be added to the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1952.

While the question 'Is kratom legal in Malaysia?' may arise, it's important to note that although buying and possessing kratom is illegal in this country, cultivating kratom is still permitted. However, only a small percentage of Malaysians grow and harvest kratom.

The Future Of Kratom In Malaysia

At the moment, the future of kratom in Malaysia is a bit uncertain. Some push to follow in Thailand’s footsteps and legalize this herb, while others want to add it to the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1952.

This will be one to follow, as it could go either way. If you are planning to travel to another country, it is extremely important that you follow their laws. You are not advised to take kratom with you, as you could face criminal charges if it is banned.

If you are unsure about the laws, spend some time researching. If you still do not have your answers, contact a lawyer. They will know the laws surrounding kratom in your area. Kratom is still illegal in Malaysia, but there are talks about legalizing this herb. It will be interesting to see if they follow through with it or if it remains illegal.

Now that you have the answer, “Is kratom legal in Malaysia?” Check out our blog for more legal articles to learn if kratom is legal in your state.

Check out this article comparing Maeng Da kratom and Malay kratom.