Is Kratom legal in Australia? – Criminal Law – Australia – Mondaq

KEY TAKEAWAYS

It is illegal to possess, supply, manufacture or produce Kratom
(‘mitragyna speciosa’) in Australia. These offences range
from 12-months jail to 2 years jail and/or $2,200 fine in NSW.
Similar penalties apply across State and Territories of Australia
because Kratom is a schedule 9 substance under the Current Poisons
Standard referred to in the Poisons list.

WHAT IS KRATOM?

Kratom (‘mitragyna speciosa’) is a type of
plant with large green leaves that is reported to have mild
stimulant effects. It’s known for its analgesic properties and
euphoric effects. The leaves contain mitragynine chemicals that
work similar to opioids such as morphine. Whilst many advocates
have praised the plant for its health benefits, it is currently
illegal in Australia.

It traditionally grows in Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Indonesia,
and Malaysia, and has been compared to opiates and other stimulant
drugs.

A study by John Hopkins Medicine, in surveying 2,700
self-reported users, found that 91% of them used the substance for
pain relief.

It was used for anxiety in 67% of studied cases, in 64% to treat
depression, and in 41% of users to treat opioid dependence.

Of those using the drug to treat for opioid dependence, 87%
reported relief from withdrawal symptoms, and 35% went for more
than a year without taking opioids or heroin.

Types of Kratom

Is Kratom used as a tea? Kratom is sold as tea, powder,
capsules, and leaves.

What is Kratom leaf used for? The leaves were traditionally
chewed in Thailand and other parts of Asia.

What is the active drug in Kratom?

There are multiple different strains of kratom, which provide
different effects to users. This is due to different levels of the
two principal alkaloids, ‘mitragynine’ and
‘7-hydroxymitragynine.’

The strains are differentiated by the colour of the veins
present on the leaves, and include white vein kratom, red vein
kratom, and green vein kratom.

What are the Benefits of Kratom?

Reported effects of Kratom include relaxing muscles, managing
pain, acting as a mood-supportive and causing a euphoric
feeling.

What are the side-effects of Kratom?

The side effects of kratom are reported to include low blood
pressure, gastrointestinal issues, nausea, lethargy, dizziness,
vomiting.

Studies indicated that 19% of users
experience mild side effects, with only 1.9% experiencing serious
side effects.

However, the Mayo Clinic has reported that 
kratom has caused at least 36 deaths.

It remains illegal in many countries including Denmark, Finland,
Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Myanmar, Malaysia, Poland,
Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, and
Vietnam.

Internationally, …….

Source: https://www.mondaq.com/australia/crime/1181672/is-kratom-legal-in-australia