If you’re thinking of heading down south to the Peach State, or if you already make your home in one of its great cities like Augusta, Savannah, or Atlanta, don’t forget to stock up on kratom. Georgia is one of the most kratom-friendly states in the U.S. And although the legal landscape for kratom in Georgia might be changing in 2023 (more on that later), there’s still reason for kratom lovers to be optimistic.
So is kratom legal in Georgia? And what’s with the recent legislative action? Here are a few things you need to know.
1. Yes, Kratom Is Legal in Georgia
As long as you’re at least 18 years of age, you can legally buy kratom throughout the state. Kratom is legal in Georgia for adults, and it’s commonly sold in herb shops, convenience stores, and specialty shops.
You can explore a variety of product types including kratom powders, kratom capsules, and other preparations. As long as state regulations are heeded, kratom can be manufactured, distributed, sold, and possessed without legal retribution.
2. Georgia has Stringent Kratom Safety Regulations
Georgia was one of the first states to enact the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), a grassroots collection of safety regulations that are also enforced in states like Utah and Nevada. The Georgia law was signed into law on April 26th, 2019.
This legislation banned the sale of kratom to minors and established guidelines for kratom packaging and labeling. All kratom labels must disclose the full ingredients, the common name of each ingredient, the concentration of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (kratom’s two most abundant alkaloids), and the name and contact information of the manufacturer. Kratom is legal to sell and distribute in Georgia as long as these requirements are met.
3. Some Lawmakers Believe the Regulations Don’t Go Far Enough
Georgia’s version of the KCPA isn’t as stringent as the versions enacted in other states. For example, Utah’s version of the KCPA bans the use of synthetic alkaloids, limits the concentration of 7-hydroxymitragynine to no more than 2% of the total product, and mandates that all kratom products be registered with the state’s Department of Agriculture.
The Georgia law has no such provisions in place. As a result, some lawmakers—and even many kratom advocates—still perceive kratom in Georgia as being largely unregulated. When buying kratom in Georgia, you have to read those labels carefully and know what you’re getting.
4. Lawmakers Tried Ban Kratom in Georgia in 2023
Although kratom is legal in Georgia, it almost became a prohibited substance in 2023. House Bill 181 sought to classify kratom as a Schedule 1 drug, which would make its possession a felony.
However, kratom advocates in the state quickly pushed back, emphasizing the many benefits of kratom. They pointed out that kratom shouldn’t be banned, but rather it should be regulated and lab tested to allow a safe purchasing experience.
5. A Kratom Ban in Georgia Is Unlikely—for Right Now
After much deliberation between Georgia legislators, the language of House Bill 181 was significantly toned down. No longer does it seek an outright ban on kratom’s alkaloids. The latest version of the bill instead aims to impose regulations on kratom, similar to the types enacted in other states. HB 181 now seeks to raise the minimum age from 18 to 21, ban certain forms of kratom use (namely vaping), expand the labeling requirements, require manufacturers to register with the state, and mandate that kratom be sold behind the counter or in a locked glass case—among other restrictions.
These types of regulations are more closely aligned with the full Kratom Consumer Protection Act and would carry a number of benefits. Most importantly, kratom would remain legal in Georgia. The bill is still pending as of April 2023, but we’ll provide any updates as they become available.
6. Kratom Is Illegal in Neighboring Alabama
Although kratom is legal in Georgia, the same cannot be said of Alabama, one of its closest neighbors. So you have to be especially careful if you live in the western part of Georgia, like Columbus, Albany, or even the Atlanta Metro area. If you happen to make your way into Alabama for business or leisure, you’ll need to leave your kratom in Georgia.
The penalties in Alabama can be fierce, too. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are both Schedule 1 controlled substances in Alabama, and possession of these types of substances is a Class D felony punishable by up to 5 years in jail. It’s not worth the risk.
7. The Best Kratom in Georgia Is Sold Online
Since kratom is still largely unregulated in Georgia, it’s very important to avoid so-called “gas station kratom.” If it’s sold in a convenience store, head shop, nutrition store, or similar establishment, it’s very hard to vouch for the quality—even with the labeling requirements in place.
The safest way to buy is on the web. When you shop kratom for sale online, you can more easily research and vouch for the products—via detailed product information, product reviews, vendor reviews, consumer alerts, and more. You can make certain that you’re buying kratom that’s natural, lab-tested, customer-approved, and satisfaction guaranteed. And that’s extremely important when shopping for a product with minimal regulatory oversight.
Discover Premium Georgia Kratom at Kratora
If you’re looking for a reliable vendor of high-quality, all-natural, and ethically harvested kratom, we invite you to explore the full selection at Kratora. We’ve been a nationwide leader since 2013, and we have over 60,000 satisfied customers. We proudly ship to the great state of Georgia, and we offer all of the best strains in the business, including Maeng Da kratom, Thai kratom, and Malay kratom.
Is kratom legal in Georgia? Yes! But it’s not just a question of legality. It’s a question of quality. So buy from the best!
Want to learn more about kratom quality and value? Start here:
Why Buying Cheap Kratom Can Be Dangerous
