Is Kratom Legal in Virginia? Understand VA Regulations

Home to eight U.S. presidents and some of the nation’s most storied history, Virginia is an amazing place to visit—or call home. But if you’re planning to buy kratom in Virginia, there are a few things you need to know first. Aside from the obvious legal question (is kratom legal in Virginia?), there’s the question of where to find quality kratom and the question of whether there are any regulations or restrictions you should be aware of. In 2023, the state of Virginia added new regulation over the sale of kratom that is essential for individuals to know before shopping for kratom.

Is Kratom Legal in Virginia? 

Yes, kratom remains legal in Virginia, but with new regulations introduced in 2023 to ensure safer consumption. These changes include prohibiting the sale of kratom to individuals under the age of 21 and mandating that vendors attach a warning label to their products. This label must state: “This product may be harmful to your health, has not been evaluated by the FDA, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” This adjustment follows earlier discussions in 2020 about kratom’s legal status, reflecting the state’s ongoing evaluation of its health implications and consumer safety.

The state legislature did consider restricting kratom back in 2020. State bill VA HJR39 was introduced in response to a CDC report that became a source of concern in many states, including Virginia.

This shift towards regulation, with a focus on public health and informed consumption, follows earlier discussions and reflects Virginia’s approach to managing kratom’s availability while addressing safety concerns. Although kratom is illegal in VA for individuals under the age of 21, individuals over the age of 2021 can legal purchase and use kratom.

Why Was New Kratom Regulation Added in Virginia in 2023?

The new kratom regulation in Virginia in 2023 was introduced to address public health concerns and ensure consumer safety. Recognizing the potential risks associated with unregulated kratom use and the absence of FDA evaluation, Virginia sought to implement measures that would protect consumers, particularly younger individuals. The legislation, by setting an age restriction and requiring clear warning labels, aims to inform consumers about the potential health implications of kratom use, aligning with a cautious approach to its availability and use in the state. This reflects Virginia’s commitment to balancing the legality of kratom with necessary safeguards for public health.

The state of Virginia has continued to legally allow individuals above the age of 21 to purchase and use kratom but wanted to introduce safeguards to protect minors from the risks of unregulated kratom products.

Can You Take Your Kratom Outside of Virginia? 

Since the federal government does not recognize kratom as a controlled substance, there is no law against interstate travel with kratom. In other words, you can transport your kratom to any other state where kratom is legal. 

The good news is that kratom is also legal in all of Virginia’s neighboring states and jurisdictions, including Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, West Virginia, and North Carolina. 

However if you’re traveling to other states along the eastern seaboard, you have to be careful. Kratom is illegal in Vermont and Rhode Island, and New Hampshire permits kratom for adults only. Other U.S. states that restrict kratom include Alabama, Arkansas, and Indiana. 

 

Why Unregulated Kratom in Virginia Is a Mixed Blessing 

While kratom is legal in Virginia, it’s also 100% unregulated—and therein lies the problem. State legislators have imposed no quality restrictions on kratom, meaning that kratom products are not required to undergo independent lab testing or meet any of the traditional standards of safe, high-quality kratom. 

So if you aren’t careful, you could find yourself purchasing products that are loaded with salmonella, contaminants, mold, synthetic ingredients, heavy metals, or dangerously high concentrations of certain alkaloids like 7-hydroxymitragynine. And without a certificate of analysis from an independent lab, you can’t even guarantee that the product contains the alkaloids that it claims to have. 

So how do you avoid low-quality and even dangerous kratom in Virginia? It’s a two-step process: researching the brand and reviewing the lab test results. When comparing kratom products, always make sure that: 

• The product comes from a trusted, established brand with a positive track record (plenty of excellent reviews and testimonials). 
• The product comes from Southeast Asia (the only region where authentic kratom grows naturally).
• The product includes a certificate of analysis from an independent lab—the lab results should indicate that the kratom is all-natural (no adulterants or additives) and free of heavy metals and other contaminants. 
• The product contains no more than 2% of the alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine (most kratom products contain much less than that). 

If you can’t confirm all of the above, keep shopping!

 

Where to Buy Kratom in Virginia 

If you’re looking for kratom that is legal in Virginia, you can often find it in smoke shops, herbal stores, and even some liquor stores and gas stations. In general, though, it’s best to avoid these types of retailers. Again, it comes down to quality control. Even though you might find some premium products in these establishments, it’s difficult to conduct the proper research in store. For instance, even if a product does have a certificate of analysis from a trusted lab, that information—or the link to that information—is sometimes contained within the product packaging, so it’s difficult to do your due diligence in store. 

For this reason, it’s generally best to buy kratom online. When you shop online, you can generally vet and compare products and find the information you need at the click of a button. And if you do have questions or concerns, you can connect directly with the retailer’s customer service. 

In addition: 

• You can find a wider selection of products online, including kratom powder, kratom capsules, kratom extracts, and even specialty products like liquid kratom and kratom gummies.
• If you’re new to kratom or looking to explore different strains, online retailers like Kratora offer kratom variety packs and bundles. So you can compare the different aromas and effects side by side without spending a fortune. You generally won’t find these types of variety packs at your local herb store. 
• Online kratom vendors provide robust product descriptions to help you be an informed consumer. If you’re strolling the shelves of a retail store and trying to figure out the difference between White Maeng Da and Red Malay, you’re likely to be left confused and overwhelmed. But when you shop online, you can usually find elaborate explanations of each product you browse. 

Kratom Is Legal in Virginia, and Kratora Is Your Premier Source

Is kratom legal in Virginia? Absolutely. But if you want to make sure you’re getting the real deal, we invite you to explore the wide inventory at Kratora. Our products are all-natural, filler-free, lab-tested, and delivered straight from our trusted partner farm in Indonesia. We’re so sure you’re going to love our products that we offer a 30-day, 100% satisfaction guarantee. 

So don’t take chances with gas station kratom. Get premium botanicals at a competitive price, only at Kratora. 

Want to learn more about kratom quality and value? Start here:
Why Buying Cheap Kratom Can Be Dangerous