Kratom has become wildly popular in the U.S. But because there are no established federal guidelines; it’s currently at the discretion of the states to determine the legal status and regulation of kratom. This has understandably led to a lot of confusion—kratom is legal in Connecticut but banned in Rhode Island; it used to be banned in Georgia and was almost (but thankfully not) banned in Kentucky. And the legal status of kratom in Missouri is completely up in the air right now.
So where does New Hampshire stand in all of this? Is kratom legal in New Hampshire? The simple answer is yes, but with a few important disclaimers.
Is Kratom Legal in New Hampshire for Adults Only?
You may have read reports about a New Hampshire kratom law that limits access to adults. This misconception stems from a 2016 state Senate bill that sought to ban the use of kratom for individuals under 18. Had the bill taken effect, manufacturers and retailers would be prohibited from selling to minors, and minors would be prohibited from buying and consuming kratom. However, the bill died on the table and never actually took effect.
Limiting access to minors is a measure commonly supported by kratom advocacy organizations like the American Kratom Association (AKA). In fact, the AKA has lobbied to limit kratom use to adults as part of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), which has been passed in states like Utah, Georgia, and Oregon.
In 2021, New Hampshire legislators considered implementing the KCPA, which would also impose tight quality standards on kratom products. Unfortunately, that measure also died on the table, so it’s very important for New Hampshire kratom buyers to exercise caution when purchasing kratom products. Only buy from trustworthy kratom vendors like The Kratom Company that offer natural, lab-tested kratom sourced from sustainable farms in Southeast Asia.
Kratom Is Banned in Franklin, New Hampshire
Although kratom is legal in New Hampshire at the state level, at least one local community has instituted its own restrictions. The City Council of Franklin, New Hampshire, voted unanimously in 2019 to ban kratom within its city limits.
So if you live in the central city of Franklin, New Hampshire, you’ll have to head outside of city limits to purchase and enjoy kratom.
Enjoy Kratom in New Hampshire
To sum it all up, kratom is mostly legal in New Hampshire. Residents can safely purchase kratom in most of the state without the fear of getting into legal hot water. The most important thing is to be a discerning buyer and choose high-quality products.
It’s also important to remember that kratom laws vary from state to state. So if you’re planning to travel out of state, make sure to research local laws before transporting or purchasing kratom products. As long as you do your homework both as a citizen and a discerning buyer, you can rest easy.