Kratom In Illinois – Does Illinois Permit The Consumption Of Kratom?

As the years pass, Mitragyna Speciosa has continued to accumulate much fame. If you are unaware, Mitragyna Speciosa, commonly known as Kratom, is a herbal substance from Southeast Asia. For decades countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia have used the herb for its countless benefits. Over the past few years, the herb’s influence is gradually seeping into the western border.

Illinois has been considered a premium travel destination and is home to over 12 million people. There is no denying that Illinois is one of the best places to visit if you are craving a short vacation or looking for a new place to settle in. When one utters the word ‘Illinois’, its exquisite shopping malls and extensive cultural attractions like museums and theatrical sites are bound to come to mind.  

Chicago is the largest city in Illinois and is home to 78% of the state’s population. The city of Chicago draws hundreds of thousands of tourists to the state each year. When the question of laws regarding Kratom’s consumption arises, it is a well-known fact that discussions about the herb tend to get heated very quickly.

Numerous countries and cities have banned the consumption and purchase of Mitragyna Speciosa products and have enforced strict laws about the herb. Ultimately, this leaves tourists and residents of Illinois with a pivotal question. Below, we discuss the legal status of the well-known Mitragyna Speciosa in Illinois.

Has Kratom Been Legalized In Illinois?

The legality of Mitragyna Speciosa remains a grey area for numerous people. While Kratom is legal in the United States, many states have banned its use. While some countries have prohibited the usage of the herb entirely, many have only imposed age restrictions and regulating rules to promote safe use.  When the question of Kratom laws in Illinois arises, one must be careful when dealing with the matter.

Laws regarding the legal status of the herb vary from state to state. Regardless of the state you plan on visiting, one must pay attention to local and state ordinances. Paying attention to laws regarding Kratom is of utmost importance because many states have banned the use of the herb entirely or are undergoing the process of taking action to ban or regulate it.

In Illinois, whether Kratom in Illinois is legal entirely depends on the city you reside in. As of 2023, citizens and tourists are free to purchase Kratom in Illinois from every city besides Jerseyville, Alton and Edwardswhile. Since Kratom does not fall within the category of controlled substances by the DEA, the herb is not federally regulated.

As established above, the Illinois General Assembly does not classify Mitragyna Speciosa as a controlled substance. Therefore, the manufacture, possession, consumption and sale of the herb are all legal in Illinois. However, quality is not guaranteed. Since the herb is yet to be regulated, one must ensure sufficient research before blindly purchasing Kratom in Illinois from a vendor.

While the state has permitted the production and consumption of Kratom in Illinois, they have imposed an age restriction. Individuals under eighteen are not allowed to purchase the herb legally. Therefore, the state of Illinois forbids minors from purchasing or consuming Kratom.

The age restriction was enforced as a result of the Kratom Control Act in 2014. Due to this, selling Kratom in Ilinios to minors falls within a Type B offence for companies. Not complying with this rule can be disastrous, and offenders will face a $1500 fine or up to six months in prison.

Which Cities In Illinois Have Banned Kratom?

While the general assembly has legally allowed the use of Kratom throughout Illinois, certain areas of the state have banned the consumption and production of the herb. As of 2023, the consumption and manufacture of Kratom in Illinois are legal except in three cities and one village. Let’s look at the prohibition in more detail.

Edwardsville

In March 2020, the city of Edwardsville decided against banning the herb throughout the city. The city officials passed a prohibition vote by a unanimous margin of 6-0. The officials of Edwardsville forbade the use of the herb due to the lack of pieces of evidence regarding the plant’s benefits.

Alton

The city of Alton banned the usage of the herb long before Edwardsville. In 2018, the city decided to pass an ordinance that banned any products containing 7-hydroxy mitragynine, mitragynine, and epicatechin. All of these substances are found in Kratom.

Jerseywhile

The city of Jerseywhile was the first to ban the usage of Kratom in Illinois. The city initially raised concerns regarding the consumption of the herb in 2012 and eventually banned it entirely in 2017.

Glen Carbon

Glen Carbon is a village located in Madison Country, Illinois. The village banned the manufacture and use of the herb in 2018 after local city officials declared the plant unsafe.

If you live near the areas mentioned above, you must ensure to abide by the laws regarding the usage of the herb. Getting caught with the herb can pose serious difficulties with the law. You must remember that while Kratom may be legal in most cities of Illinois, you can not purchase or manufacture it in all localities.

Conclusion

To sum it up, the use, manufacture and consumption of Mitragyna Speciosa are permitted throughout Illinois besides three cities and one village. While local governmental bodies have carried out numerous efforts to ban the herb throughout the city, their efforts have not been successful yet.