Kratom has become popular as a natural supplement that people use for its vaunted beneficial effects, including improved energy levels and alertness. Given kratom’s stimulating effects, some people have considered taking kratom for long drives.
Before taking kratom and driving, it’s important to do your research about kratom’s effects and its legality in your area.
What is Kratom?
Kratom refers to products made from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. The tree, also called mitragyna speciosa, is part of the same plant family as coffee.
Kratom has been used for centuries as an herbal supplement and natural medicine. People chew kratom leaves, brew them into tea, and take processed kratom leaves in powder and capsule form.
What Are the Effects of Kratom?
Kratom is reported to have a stimulating effect, giving users extra energy and greater focus. Many people also say that kratom improves their mood, making them feel more social and talkative. Kratom has also been used as a natural remedy for pain relief.
For some people, especially at higher doses, kratom can have a more sedative-like or intoxicating effect.
Is Kratom Legal?
In the U.S., buying, selling, and possessing kratom is generally legal across the majority of the country. There’s no federal law banning kratom, although the DEA and the FDA have said they’re looking at kratom regulations. A small handful of states have laws banning kratom, while others have enacted some kratom regulations (for example, manufacturing guidance and age limits).
Check the law in your area if you have any concerns.
Can You Drive on Kratom?
State laws prohibit driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI). State law typically makes it a “per se” (automatic) DUI if the driver has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more. The BAC limit may be lower for professional drivers, drivers under the age of 21, or other special cases.
DUI laws generally address alcohol specifically and may also refer to “drugs” more broadly. The penalties for driving under the influence of drugs are just as severe as those for an alcohol-based DUI. There are no laws currently on the books that specifically state that someone cannot drive after having taken kratom in any quantity, but kratom may fall under the broader “drug” prohibitions.
You Can Get a DUI For Any Kind of “Impairment”
Although there’s no specific law tying kratom to DUI, many states have a broader law prohibiting “driving while impaired” (DWI), driving while ability impaired (DWAI), or “driving under the influence” of drugs and/or alcohol. These broader restrictions are meant to be a catch-all for any other substance that might impair your driving (as well as for lower blood alcohol concentrations).
In California, for example, it’s illegal to drive while “under the influence of any drug” or the “combined influence of any drug or alcohol.” The state uses “under the influence” to mean a driver who is impaired by the substance to the point that it negatively impacts their ability to safely operate a vehicle.
State law does not distinguish between legal and illegal drugs. For example, driving after consuming cold medicine with a strong, drowsy effect can lead to an arrest.
In practice, this means that if you are pulled over for problematic driving, and the police suspect you’ve been taking any psychoactive drug (including kratom), you can be charged with driving under the influence. It does not matter whether kratom is classified as a “controlled substance” or is unregulated.
Does Kratom Show Up on Drug Tests?
If you’ve been arrested for DUI, of course, the government still has to prove that you were under the influence of a drug. Whether kratom will show up on a drug test depends on a number of factors, including:
- How much kratom was taken
- When the kratom was taken
- The type of drug test administered (i.e., the type of substances tested for)
- How the test is administered (hair, blood, urine, saliva)
Talk to a lawyer if you have any legal concerns.
Caution Is Always Best
At the end of the day, we always advise customers to use discretion and good judgment. Kratom can have different effects on different people, and it’s important to know how kratom affects you before you make any decisions.
Especially at higher doses, kratom’s effects can make it less safe to drive. If you take kratom and wind up in a car accident, you may face enhanced liability and even criminal charges. Overall, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
Do your own research about kratom’s effects as well as the laws and regulations concerning kratom in your area so that you can make an informed decision.
Mitra Bros Have the Kratom Products You Need
As always, we encourage our customers to use kratom responsibly. When in doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid using kratom before you get into a car or operate machinery. For the highest-quality kratom products, visit our online shop.
