Live Free or Die, New Hampshire’s state motto, is a powerful statement. Granite Staters and visitors may be curious if the freedom that this state holds so dear applies to kratom. So, is kratom legal in New Hampshire? The is yes and no. Confused? Let MIT45 break down the laws and regulations of kratom in the state of New Hampshire.
Kratom Legality in New Hampshire
Kratom’s Legal Status in New Hampshire
While kratom is either legal and regulated, legal and unregulated, or banned outright in most of the country, a few select states have laws that aren’t so clear-cut. New Hampshire’s state motto mostly holds strong to “Living Free,” and this also applies to the sales and possession of kratom. Well, almost.
In 2016, state lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 540. Its intention was simple: to limit the sales of kratom products to individuals 18 years of age and older. The bill did not contain any other restrictions regarding the manufacturing, sales, or distribution of kratom. Advocacy groups like the American Kratom Association are pushing for legislation that not only keeps kratom legal but also places some safeguards on the product. However, Senate Bill 540 did not pass, leaving kratom available for purchase to anyone.
Kratom remains completely unregulated in New Hampshire. What this means is that anyone in the state can purchase kratom. It should be noted that while this may sound like a good thing for fans of this beneficial botanical, it also means that products that haven’t been lab-tested for purity, contaminants, and synthetic adulterants are on the shelves.
The caveat to the legality of kratom in New Hampshire is that it remains legal throughout the state except for one small town that’s located approximately 20 miles away from the city of Concord.
Trouble for Kratom Fans Franklin, New Hampshire
In 2019, Franklin, New Hampshire’s City Council unanimously voted to ban kratom within its jurisdiction. This ban came as a blow to the city’s kratom enthusiasts, but all hope is not lost. Residents of Franklin will need to purchase kratom products in other parts of New Hampshire, where it remains legal.
The Future of Kratom in New Hampshire
There doesn’t seem to be any current legislation to place any bans on kratom or to place any regulations on its manufacturing, packaging, or sales. Other than the small town of Franklin, kratom enthusiasts in New Hampshire are free to peruse the benefits of this Southeast Asian tree.
While kratom appears to remain unchallenged in the state, this isn’t to say that things couldn’t change. Fans of kratom should stay well versed in its legality if they want to continue to enjoy its benefits. Education is key to understanding the importance of kratom.
Want to Be a Kratom Advocate?
Since 2016, when the DEA first announced its intention to place kratom on the list of Schedule I Controlled Substances (shortly after that, they reversed their opinion due to public outcry and kratom advocacy groups pressure), the debate about the legality of kratom has been hotly debated.
If kratom has made a huge difference in the quality of your life, you may be interested in becoming a kratom advocate. Even if your state has kept kratom legal and has passed its version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), staying involved and vocal in the kratom world can help to ensure that it remains legal and safe. You can reach out to your state senator and let them know that you support passing the KCAP in New Hampshire.
A quick and easy way to show your support for the legality of kratom is to voice your opinion by signing the petition on the American Kratom Association website. There is power in numbers, so the more people who participate in this forum, the better it will be for fans of kratom all across the country.
Where to Buy Kratom in New Hampshire Legally
With New Hampshire being an unregulated yet legal kratom state (except for the town of Franklin), it’s not all that difficult to find brick-and-mortar stores that sell it. Purchasing kratom directly from the shelves is even easier if you live in one of the state’s larger cities. Kratom is typically sold in vape and head shops, convenience stores, and even some gas stations. We recommend that you call ahead first to ensure that whichever purchasing place you choose does indeed have the kratom product you desire.
Kratom Buying Tips
Traveling to purchase kratom from stores can, at times, be an inconvenience. Despite their best efforts, sometimes a shop may not have the product you’re looking for. Also, in unregulated states such as New Hampshire, kratom enthusiasts need to be careful with what they purchase. Without the consumer protections that the KCPA provides in other states that have enacted it, unscrupulous kratom vendors aren’t bound to test their products to ensure they are what they claim to be.
When buying kratom, always read the labeling on the package. If it’s vague or there’s no information at all, put it back on the shelf. We recommend only purchasing kratom products from reputable vendors, ones that lab test their products and provide clear information about them.
Purchasing your kratom from online vendors is a good option. Only purchase from those who lab test their products and are an American Kratom Association Good Manufacturing Practices Qualified Kratom Vendor (an AKA GMP Vendor). MIT45 takes the extra steps that many fly-by-night kratom vendors don’t to triple-purify our products. We also have our kratom lab tested by a third party to ensure that they are free of microbes, heavy metals, and other unwanted contaminants.
Know the Local Kratom Laws to Mitigate Your Risk
The majority of New Hampshire residents won’t have any issues purchasing kratom products, either from brick-and-mortar kratom retailers, vape shops, convenience stores, or gas stations. Since kratom remains legal and unregulated in the state, residents and visitors can purchase kratom products either in person or from online vendors.
Only those who reside in the town of Franklin will have issues purchasing kratom. Any reputable kratom vendor, MIT45 included, will refuse to ship their products to any state or municipality where its sale has been banned.
Drug Testing, Employment Policies, and Cultural Values
A lot of people in New Hampshire are curious if employers can test for kratom. While this beneficial botanical is legal within the state, some fear retribution from employers if they discover they enjoy its benefits due to unfounded social bias. However, some individuals are still concerned about their jobs and the fact that they enjoy using kratom.
The good news is that kratom generally won’t show up in a standard drug test. Most employers request a 5-panel test, and even for those who request a 10-panel test, kratom isn’t among the things that would be flagged. For kratom to show up on a drug test, a more in-depth test must be requested, one that detects the alkaloids in kratom, such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Kratom, when used responsibly and appropriately, shouldn’t pose any threat or risk to your employment. We recommend closely following the suggested portion guidelines, and those who are new to the world of kratom should start on the lower end and monitor their body’s response.
Accurate information and education are essential for business leaders, consumers, and lawmakers to ensure that the benefits of kratom are understood and used responsibly. MIT45 and the American Kratom Association are dedicated to educating the public on this often misunderstood plant.
For further reading:
- DEA. “DEA Announces Intent To Schedule Kratom.” DEA.gov. 30 August 2016
- Laconia Daily Sun. “Franklin bans Kratom.” Laconiadailysun.com. 03 September 2019
- Legiscan. “Senate Bill 540.” Legiscan.com 2016
- Staff writer. Kratom State Legality and Legislation. “The American Kratom Association”. Accessed June 2023
