Kratom is a Southeast Asian herb that has recently gained increasing popularity due to its potential benefits for pain relief, enhanced energy, and anxiety management. However, with its growing circle of users worldwide, kratom has become a controversial substance in many countries, including Canada.
If you’re either a consumer or a store owner from Canada who’s interested in kratom, you should learn more about its legality. The following post will outline five cardinal facts about the legality of kratom in Canada.
1. Kratom Is Legal to Own but Not Approved for Consumption
So, is kratom legal in Canada? The first fact about kratom legality in Canada is that this plant has somewhat of a gray legality status. While it’s legal to own kratom in Canada, the herb isn’t approved for human consumption by Health Canada. What this translates into, in practice, is that consumers can purchase, possess, and import kratom into the country, but products sold in Canada must be labeled as “not for human consumption.”
This is because of the lack of sufficient research done on it. Health Canada further hasn’t recognized kratom as either a natural health product or even a dietary supplement. This is primarily because the government is quite skeptical of allowing anything that hasn’t been confirmed safe by studies.
While it’s still possible for consumers to purchase kratom online and from local retailers, businesses that sell kratom are subject to strict labeling regulations and are barred from making health claims about its use.
2. Kratom Products Controlled by Health Canada and CFIA
Another important fact is that it’s Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, CFIA, that regulate the products of kratom. The regulatory bodies have enforced a rule that any kratom being sold shouldn’t be marketed for consumption.
Kratom vendors in Canada, therefore, must ensure that their products observe these regulations concerning labeling. For instance, the CFIA enforces labeling rules and ensures that no kratom product is labeled as an ingestible supplement or food. Any failure to observe this regulation may lead to dire consequences for the sellers, including heavy fines and possibly legal implications.
This oversight implies that while kratom is legally in the market and available for purchase by Canadian consumers, they need to be mindful of the intended use as articulated on product labels. The government is intolerant of its policy on public safety, and vendors are compelled to operate within the legal framework by labeling kratom as a non-consumable commodity.
3. Selling Licensing and Labeling Requirements
If you’re concerned about sellers’ responsibilities, here’s an essential fact: Canadian vendors are urged to obtain adequate licenses and adhere to the labeling requirement when selling kratom. Health Canada stipulates that all kratom products must be labeled “not for human consumption” to avoid any type of legal consequences. Selling this herb for ingestion is strictly prohibited unless this product gets approved as a natural health product, which still hasn’t happened in Canada.
Failure to meet licensing and labeling standards could amount to enforcement actions against the product, from seizures of the products down to even store shutdowns. Such an example was when, in 2018, several Edmonton stores were raided, and their kratom supplies were confiscated for selling products that didn’t meet Health Canada’s standards.
4. Import and Export Considerations
To those Canadians who wish to import or export kratom, it’s essential to consider that its importation is legal but regulated. In Canada, it’s legal to import this herb from countries where it is legal, adhering to Canadian labeling standards. On the other hand, Canadian companies can export kratom only to countries where its sale and consumption are allowed, with regard to both Canadian and international regulations.
Remember that customers should be made aware of those countries that have entirely banned kratom, including Israel, Denmark, and Myanmar. Such kratom, when imported from these countries to Canada, may have customs problems or other legal issues that could pop up. Ensure your source country’s laws are in line with the import regulations in Canada before you buy kratom.
5. Safety, Testing, and Responsible Use
The last important fact relates to safety and responsibility in how you buy kratom in Canada. It’s also essential to know as a consumer that lab testing and the quality of products are of utmost importance. Since kratom isn’t approved for human consumption, buyers take full responsibility for knowing what they purchase.
Many good vendors in Canada provide lab results for their kratom products, which is a key way to ensure the quality and safety of what you’re getting. Testing can reveal whether the product is free of any hazardous additives, contaminants, or the wrong dosages of its active alkaloids.
Responsible use by consumers of kratom is necessary. While the potential therapeutic effects of kratom are being promoted, all users should maintain a sober and thoughtful mindset concerning the effects it produces. Take low doses initially while your body adjusts, and avoid combining kratom with other drugs or alcohol, as dangerous interactions can occur.
Bottom Line
Kratom’s legal standing in Canada is quite a popular topic among consumers and vendors. While it remains legally permissible to have in possession and to sell, the herb itself hasn’t been granted permission for internal consumption, so great caution needs to be paid when using this plant. This will involve understanding the regulatory functions of Health Canada and CFIA, facilitation of licensing, and responsible use to ensure that Canadians make a safe and informed decision regarding kratom.
Whether you’re interested in its potential benefits or a vendor looking to stay within the legal boundaries, these five key facts will get you through safely and compliantly regarding kratom’s legality in Canada. Labeling is everything; testing is key, and safety is always put first.
