What is Kratom? Is It Legal in Massachusetts?

A buddy of mine just texted me about his friend who is back in rehab for opiate use disorder after Kratom use. This of of course is anecdotal and this post is not medical advice about Kratom use.

What is Kratom?

Kratom is a tree that grows in Southeast Asia. People chew its leaves or brew them into tea. It comes from the Mitragyna speciosa plant. In the U.S., folks buy it as powder, pills, or extracts. It's popular for feeling better without strong drugs.

Pain Relief

The main use of kratom is to ease pain and boost energy. At low doses, it acts like coffee, making you alert and chatty. At higher doses, it helps with relaxation and fights opioid withdrawal symptoms, like aches and bad moods. Many use it for chronic pain or to quit harder drugs. But it's not approved by doctors, and it can be risky if overused. -dea.gov

In Massachusetts, kratom is used much like elsewhere. People turn to it for natural relief from stress or back pain. It's big in cities like Boston, where busy workers seek quick energy without caffeine crashes.

Legality inconsistency

Is it legal? Yes, kratom is legal to buy and own across Massachusetts as of September 2025. No statewide ban exists yet. But watch out - some towns like Lowell and Marlboro have local bans. Bills in the state house want to stop sales or add rules, like age limits.

Where do you get it? Easy spots include smoke shops, vape stores, and wellness shops. In Boston, try Symphony Smoke Shop or Natural Life on Massachusetts Avenue. Online sellers ship too, but pick trusted ones for pure stuff. Always check labels.

What is Kratom's future?

What's next for kratom? Its future looks shaky. The FDA wants to control it like opioids, which could make it harder to get nationwide. In Massachusetts, lawmakers held hearings in September 2025 on bans, but nothing passed yet. More towns might ban it, or states could add safety rules. Users hope for studies to prove it's safe, but for now, enjoy carefully.