History Of Kratom In Malaysia
Back in the 19th century, opium was very popular in Malaysia. This led to a shortage of opium and the reason why so many people turned to kratom. Officials realized that kratom was taking away from opium sales and this is one of the main reasons kratom was added to Poisons Act 1952.
Placing kratom on this list caused it to be illegal for all Malaysian citizens. If you were caught with kratom you would face criminal charges. Traditionally kratom was utilized in cultural ceremonies. Farmers were known to pluck the leaves from the Mitragyna speciosa trees and chew them.
Even though kratom was banned in Malaysia, the trees still grow throughout the forest and jungles of this country. If you want to read more about Malaysian kratom check out this post.
Is Kratom Legal In Malaysia?
It is illegal to use kratom in Malaysia at this time. Even though is there such a high reported usage of it…
The simple fact of the matter is that the use of kratom is not highly regulated or monitored despite there being laws in place that could lead to such regulation.
Kratom farms in Malaysia still can sell kratom.
This is done due to the way the laws are set up, kratom leaves can currently be exported from Malaysia as long as they are unprocessed. This means that leaves cannot be changed from their natural state. They must simply be harvested and exported, and there can be no domestic sales because kratom is illegal for personal use in Malaysia.
Additionally, the government does have some laws that allow farmers to get a license to grow kratom. To be able to export, you must have this license. Still, you still consume or sell within Malaysia itself.
For a brief period in 2015, there was serious debate within the Malaysian government about whether or not kratom should be banned completely and be criminalized more severely. Ultimately, this was not seen as necessary and the current law from 1952 remains in effect today.
Dangerous Drugs Act of 1952
While some officials are looking to legalize kratom and cannabis, others are pushing to remove kratom from the Poisons Act of 1952 and add it to the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1952. So, what would be the difference?
The Dangerous Drugs Act bears harsher penalties. However, the motion to move kratom from one Act to another has been stopped. Higher-ups did not believe that purchasing kratom in Malaysia possessed such a serious threat that it needed to be added to the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1952.
While it is still illegal to buy and possess kratom in Malaysia, the cultivation of kratom is still allowed in this country. However, only a small percentage of Malaysians grow and harvest kratom.
The Future Of Kratom In Malaysia
At the moment, the future of kratom in Malaysia is a bit uncertain. Some are pushing to follow in Thailand’s footsteps and legalize this herb, while others want to add it to the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1952.
If you are planning to travel to another country, it is extremly important that you follow their laws. It is not advised that you take kratom with you, as you could face criminal charges if kratom is banned.
The issue of legality of kratom in Malaysia may have affected its legality in other countries. If the demand for kratom in areas where it is legal to use continues to rise, it is possible that the Malaysia government will restructure how it handles the regulations of kratom exportation in order to make better profits.