Canada has been a trailblazer in terms of enhancing access to novelty herbs. It was among the first nations in the world to legalize marijuana, albeit with some restrictions. Kratom users also have much to smile about, thanks to Canada’s permissive laws on the distribution and usage of this plant. This post shall delve into Canada’s kratom market by highlighting some of the industry’s key drivers.
What Is Kratom?
Mitragyna speciosa, more commonly known as kratom, is a tropical herb from Southeast Asia whose extracts have been consumed since at least the mid-19th century to relieve numerous medical problems. Kratom is commonly prescribed for pain relief. The herb fights pain by impacting specific opioid receptors in the brain. Some kratom users also administer it for various anxiety and sleep disorders. Other common ailments you may treat with the herb include nausea, inflammation, erectile dysfunction (ED), and fatigue.
The growing popularity of Mitragyna speciosa as a powerful alternative drug has increased the demand for kratom supplements, especially in North America. A simple online search for kratom shops will quickly turn up trusted kratom vendors like Canada Kratom Express. Canada Kratom Express takes pride in supplying premium-quality kratom supplements. The company is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. However, you can conveniently shop for kratom products from the online is kratom legal in canada and have your orders delivered to virtually any address in North America. The vendor stocks different kratom formulations, from capsules and tablets to powders, extracts, etc.
How Big Is Canada’s Kratom Market?
According to recent research, the global kratom market size stood at USD 1.87 billion in 2023. It was projected to reach USD 5.69 billion in 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2% during the forecast period. North America accounts for the lion’s share of the global kratom trade, an interesting fact considering that kratom is an exotic herb. It’s important to note that while Mitragyna speciosa grows natively in Southeast Asia, most locals consume the herb in its raw forms. Only a small percentage of kratom extracts make it to local factories and, consequently, to the region’s mainstream trade. That’s in contrast to North America and many European Union (EU) countries, where kratom is mostly available in processed formulations.
Now, it’s difficult to know who consumes more kratom between Canada and the United States – the only true North American countries. However, kratom’s legal landscape in both countries might provide more insights into that question.
Is Kratom Legal In Canada?
Kratom is technically legal in Canada. The herb is mostly subjected to regulation as opposed to legal restrictions. The term “legal” connotes legislation that applies equally to everyone affected.
On the other hand, “regulatory” connotes laws that apply only to specific subsets of the population. A classic case is running a red light, a traffic violation affecting motorists but not pedestrians. Now, kratom is legal in Canada for the simple reason that there’s no express law banning the herb. There are no prescribed penalties for having kratom, nor have we witnessed any related prosecutions.
Kratom’s legality in Canada, coupled with its immense health benefits, explains the booming kratom trade in the country. For comparison, at least 22 states in the United States have either restricted kratom or banned it altogether. But even for Canadians, there are certain regulations to adhere to, especially if you’re a kratom vendor.
Kratom trade in Canada falls under the ambit of two regulatory agencies – Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). These departments collectively work to guarantee the safety of pharmaceutical and dietary products sold in Canada. Health Canada and the CFIA do not authorize kratom either as a drug or dietary supplement. There are two implications to that regulatory hurdle.
First, kratom traders cannot offer their products exclusively as pharmaceutical drugs. Vendors shouldn’t make definitive medical claims despite the growing body of scientific research validating kratom’s many anecdotally reported health benefits. As a kratom vendor in Canada, it’s prudent not to hype the herb’s therapeutic properties. Instead, ensure your products have clear warnings to the intended user on the risks of kratom overdose.
Secondly, Health Canada and the CFIA do not approve edible kratom goods. Selling products like kratom-infused capsules, pills, gummies, and even tinctures amounts to regulatory violations. Fortunately, Mitragyna speciosa comes in many alternative formulations, such as skincare topicals and aromatherapy products.
Other Reasons Behind the Bullish Kratom Trade in Canada
One exciting thing about kratom in Canada is that any restriction only applies to traders. No law exists against consuming the herb in any of its formulations.
Kratom’s popularity in Canada is also due to the paradigm shift from mainstream pharmaceutical drugs to alternative medicine. These attitude changes are primarily due to the opioid epidemic in Canada.
Note that kratom effects the same opioid receptors as conventional opioids but with lower risks of addiction. As such, opioid addicts can quit these substances by gradually replacing them with kratom extracts. This can make a huge difference in terms of managing common opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Wrap Up
The kratom industry is thriving in Canada. While it’s difficult to tell exactly how much the sector is worth, we know that Canada (and, by extension, North America) accounts for the biggest chunk of kratom’s global billion-dollar market size. Canada’s lucrative kratom trade is also due to the country’s permissive laws and the shifting perspectives from conventional medications to alternative remedies.
