Exploring Kratom in Illinois

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When you think of Illinois, what comes to mind? Al Capone? Deep-dish pizza? Maybe something more virtuous like the Underground Railroad or the one-time home of President Abraham Lincoln? People have a lot of associations with the Prairie State, but where does kratom fit into the equation? Can you legally enjoy kratom in Illinois? And if so, where’s the best place to find it?

Is Kratom Legal in Illinois?

Although kratom is technically legal at the state level (for the most part), Illinois has some of the most nuanced kratom laws in the nation. The legal status actually depends on both your age and your location in the state. So is kratom legal in Illinois? Let’s look at the laws in more detail.

You Must Be at Least 18 to Possess Kratom in Illinois

In 2014, Illinois legislators passed the Kratom Control Act. This law makes it a crime for anyone under 18 years old to purchase or possess kratom in Illinois.

Anyone in violation of the law may be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, which can result in a fine of $500 to $1,500 and up to 6 months in jail.

Kratom Is Illegal in Four Illinois Cities

Although kratom is legal in Illinois on the state level, local cities and counties reserve the right to impose their own laws and restrictions. Jerseyville and Alton were the first cities to ban kratom in Illinois. The village of Glen Carbon followed suit in 2019, and Edwardsville implemented its own ban in 2020. In addition, Naperville lawmakers voted in 2019 to restrict kratom to buyers 21 and over.

So if you’re planning to purchase or possess kratom in Illinois, make sure to keep it out of Jerseyville, Alton, Edwardsville, and Glen Carbon. You can still enjoy kratom in most major cities throughout the state, including Chicago, Springfield, Rockford, Peoria, and Joliet.

Kratom Is Illegal in Some Neighboring States

When enjoying kratom in Illinois, you also have to be mindful of where you travel. Though the majority of states allow kratom, there are some that do not—including two states that border illinois. Kratom is illegal in both Indiana and Wisconsin, so if you happen to be road-tripping through either of those states, it’s best to leave your kratom at home.

Kratom is also illegal in Arkansas, Alabama, Rhode Island, and Vermont, so plan accordingly if you happen to be traveling through any of those states.

A Brief Legal History of Kratom in Illinois

Though most legislative action on kratom in Illinois has happened at the local level, there have been a few efforts to regulate or restrict kratom at the state level.

In 2018, for instance, legislators considered a bill that would have banned kratom statewide. House Bill 4106, filed by state Rep. Katie Stuart, would have expanded the state’s Kratom Control Act to ban all kratom sales—and not just sales to minors. The bill ultimately died in committee.

In 2019, legislators introduced another bill, House Bill 4681, with the assistance of the American Kratom Association (AKA). The bill sought to introduce the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), a set of safety guidelines similar to those enacted in states like Utah, Nevada, Georgia, and Arizona.

The Illinois KCPA would have prohibited kratom manufacturers and sellers from distributing products containing synthetic alkaloids, dangerous non-kratom adulterants, or unsafe alkaloid concentrations. It also would have imposed transparent labeling requirements. The ultimate goal was to create a safer kratom marketplace in Illinois. Unfortunately, the KCPA bill died in committee.

In 2021, Illinois legislators made a second attempt to introduce the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Though the bill spent more than a year in consideration, it too died in committee before ever making it past the House.

The Future of Kratom in Illinois

Though Illinois legislators have thus far been unsuccessful in passing common-sense kratom regulations, there’s still hope. The fact that Illinois has made two separate efforts to pass the KCPA is a testament to how much momentum the movement has. If you’d like to see safety regulations made law, the best thing to do is write to your local legislators and emphasize why these types of regulations are so important:

Because kratom has genuinely helped a lot of people
Because banning kratom doesn’t address the real problem
Because there’s currently no accountability for kratom providers who cut corners
Because it’s difficult for consumers to know that they’re buying safe, all-natural kratom
Because kratom deserves the same oversight as any other product on the market

In the meantime, there are ways to protect yourself as a buyer. First and foremost, make sure you’re buying exclusively from reputable kratom suppliers. You want all-natural kratom straight from the source (the best kratom is grown in places like Indonesia and Thailand), and you want to be certain that the product is ethically grown using time-tested harvesting practices.

At The Kratom Company, we’re passionate about the quality of our products. All of our kratom is 100% natural and hand-selected from kratom farms in Indonesia. We never allow synthetic ingredients or other adulterants into our products, and we’re transparent about everything we sell. Whether you’re shopping for kratom powders, kratom capsules, or anything else in our diverse inventory, you can buy with absolute confidence. Buy kratom online from The Kratom Company, and discover the difference for yourself.

Ultimately, the most important question isn’t whether kratom is legal in Illinois. In most locations, you don’t have to worry about legal restrictions. The real questions to consider are: What am I buying? Is it all-natural? Is it safe? Does it come from a trustworthy manufacturer?

As long as you’re an informed and discerning buyer, you can safely enjoy kratom in Illinois and in most cities therein. So do your homework, find your favorite strains, and enjoy!