Thailand Legalizes Kratom

Thailand legalized  the use of kratom, a native Southeast-Asian plant that is popularly used as a painkiller and stimulant. Prior to the legalization, possession of kratom could result in up to two years in prison and a hefty fine. According to the Thai Justice Minister, Somsak Thepsuthin, they have  dropped thousands of possession cases and released 121 people in prison for possession. The legalization of kratom follows Thailand’s move to legalize medical marijuana and allow consumers to license to buy and grow cannabis.

Kratom users say that the coffee-like drug  provides a mild, energizing high in small doses; a larger amount yields a sedative effect. Justice Minister Somsak argues that legalizing kratom not only brings down costs in the legal system but also provides an accessible alternative to costly painkillers. While Thailand and Indonesia are the primary cultivators of kratom, some reports predict that the export market for kratom will likely expand rapidly, especially in the U.S.

Despite the majorly positive response to kratom legalization in Thailand, some Thai politicians along with foreign drug agencies have expressed concern over the drug. For instance, Ramdin Areeabdulsorma, a politician in Thailand’s Pattani province, supports the decriminalization of kratom but urges policymakers to put tighter regulations on the drug so it cannot be abused. Additionally, U.S. Food and Drug Administration  official Judy McMeekin notes that there is “substantial concern” around the safety of using kratom because of its potential addictive properties. However, the U.S. Drug Enforcement also notes that kratom has been used safely to relieve pain and even manage opiate withdrawal. A study from the Mayo Clinic posits that the problems of kratom outweigh its benefits. They found that kratom adversely interacts with prescription medications, potentially causing abnormal brain function. Additionally, they note that kratom withdrawal is very similar to opioid withdrawal, and many user must use the same treatments for opioid addiction to stop kratom addiction.

Overall, the existing literature on kratom is both scarce and conflicting, leaving users questioning whether or not it is safe to use.