The Garden State is no stranger to friendly battles. While those in the northern part of the state will argue tooth and nail that their favorite breakfast protein is Taylor Ham, those in the south recoil and swear that it’s called Pork Roll. Unfortunately, this battle has now spilled over to kratom and its legality in the state. Is kratom legal in New Jersey? For the time being, it is, but that could all change very quickly.
Is Kratom Legal in New Jersey?
Current Status of New Jersey Kratom Laws
Early in 2023, New Jersey state lawmakers attempted to pass the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Many states in the country have passed the KCPA, which not only keeps kratom legal but also places regulations on the product to ensure safety. Common elements of the KCPA include:
- Age restrictions: Places a minimum age to purchase kratom; usually either 18 or 21 years of age.
- Labeling requirements: The KCPA requires that kratom products list all ingredients, alkaloid percentages, a recommended serving size, and the name and full address of the manufacturer.
- Mandatory product testing: All kratom products must be lab-tested to ensure they’re free of heavy metals, microbes, and other contaminants.
- Prohibition of adulterated additives: Kratom products must be free of synthetic additives.
Unfortunately, after New Jersey Senate Bill 1476 was introduced and referred to the Senate Commerce Committee, it moved no further. If it had passed, New Jersey would have joined the ranks of other states in the country that have passed the KCPA and would have kept kratom legal and safe in the Garden State. The stalling of this bill came as a blow to kratom enthusiasts in the state. However, things quickly turned from bad to worse.
CJ’s Law is Introduced in 2024
Named after a Manasquan, NJ resident who died from cardiac arrest in 2023, allegedly due to mixing kratom with his prescribed Adderal, CJ’s Law seeks to make kratom completely illegal in the Garden State. If passed, New Jersey will join the six other states that have banned the product.
As of June 2024, New Jersey Assembly Bill 3797 (CJ’s Law) has been read twice and is now under consideration by the entire Assembly. If enacted, CJ’s Law would ban the sale and possession of kratom in the state. While some lawmakers and residents support a total ban, kratom advocacy groups argue that kratom is a beneficial product that should be kept legal but with the restrictions that the Kratom Consumer Protection Act provides.
CJ’s Law is still under consideration with no final outcome. What this means is that, for the time being, kratom is still legal to sell and possess in New Jersey. However, if it does pass, kratom will be banned.
Are You a NJ Resident Who Wants to Keep Kratom Legal in the State?
Fans of Mitragyna speciosa, the scientific name for kratom, who want to help ensure that it remains legal in New Jersey can join the fight against its ban. With the possibility of kratom becoming banned in the state, fans of kratom should do all they can to ensure that it remains legal and safe. Staying informed is just a part of what they can do.
Contact NJ Legislators
Calling and emailing your state lawmakers is a good way to let them know your thoughts on kratom and why you feel it should remain legal. They’re working for all NJ residents and should fight for what their constituents want. Without letting them know how you feel about kratom and the passing of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act in the state, you’re voice will go unheard.
Sign the National Kratom Petition
It’s long been a goal of kratom advocacy groups to have the Kratom Consumer Protection Act passed on a national level. If this were to happen, it would keep kratom legal and safe from coast to coast. You can sign the petition on the Protect Kratom website if you’d like to do your part to help the fight against banning this beneficial botanical.
Tips for Buying Kratom in the Garden State
For the time being, kratom is legal in New Jersey. It can usually be found at vape shops, convenience stores, and some gas stations. However, since the state allows the sale of unregulated products, you should proceed with caution when selecting which kratom products you choose to purchase.
Buying kratom online from ethical vendors is one of the best ways to purchase. It’s easy to ensure that you’re buying from a reputable kratom vendor. All you need to do is check whether they have an AKA vendor certification and a verifiable Certificate of Analysis
Shopping from home is convenient, and most kratom vendors have fast delivery options. One disadvantage is that you won’t get your products immediately, but most experienced fans of kratom always make sure to stock up so they are never without their favorite product.
Need Proof Kratom is Still Legal in New Jersey? Order MIT45 Products Now!
As an ethical kratom vendor, we refuse to sell our products in states where it has been banned. Fortunately, New Jersey hasn’t yet passed (and may never) a law making kratom illegal. So, until that time comes, residents of the Garden State can order our products online without any fear of doing anything wrong.
- Liquid Shots and Gels
- Tasty Gummies
- Red, Green, and White Raw Leaf Powder
- Capsules: Raw Leaf and Extract Strength
Kratom and Drug Testing
While kratom is legal in most of the country, there are still some individuals who are concerned about it showing up in a mandatory employment drug screen. Their concerns are valid. So, does kratom show up in a drug test?
The answer is that it depends on the time of screen that’s ordered. A standard drug test that is done as a part of an agreement of employment doesn’t test for kratom’s two main alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Now, that’s not to say that an employer won’t request a test that can check for these alkaloids. However, it’s incredibly rare.
When used responsibly and when appropriate, kratom shouldn’t cause any issues where an employer would request a drug test to screen for it. With that said, each individual is responsible for following recommended serving sizes and being aware of how they can affect work performance.
For further reading:
- Cinosi, Eduardo, et al. “Following the Roots of Kratom.” NIH.gov. 10 November 2015
- Edwards, Jay. “Kratom to be banned under Kean bill.” WRNJradio.com. 25 June 2024
- LegiScan. “New Jersey Senate Bill 1476.” Legiscan.com. 2024
- LegiScan. “New Jersey Assembly Bill 3797.” Legiscan.com 2024
