Note: This article is not legal advice. This article was created based on available information on or around its publication date, but may not currently be accurate. If you have concerns about the legality of a product, please refer to information from official state or federal institutions.

If you're interested in buying kratom, you should first look into its legal status in your area. Some states, cities, and municipalities have enacted laws against kratom, banning it completely. Therefore, you should know whether where you live is among those places that banned kratom before you buy any.

Key Takeaways:

• Kratom is a botanical supplement that has been used for ages in Southeast Asia.
• It was banned in the state of Indiana first in 2014 and listed as a Schedule I substance, and then its status was revised in 2018 to include a hallucinogenic compound in its classification.
• Currently, the only way to enjoy kratom in Indiana is to go to the neighboring states where it’s legal or try out some kratom alternatives.
• A bill in the state senate seeks to make kratom legal and introduce regulation of the product to ensure it remains safe and effective after legalization.

Also, if you're a kratom fan looking to travel, it is important to determine whether your destination has the same favorable laws about kratom as your current location. This guide focuses on the legality of kratom in Indiana, and will help you determine the availability (or not) of kratom in the Hoosier state.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom has been misrepresented in many ways, making it hard for new consumers to find accurate information about kratom to help them make informed decisions.

Kratom is a tree that is native to Southeast Asia. Its scientific name is Mitragyna Speciosa which suggests it shares the same family as the coffee tree. The botanical has been used by the native people in the region as part of their holistic well-being and culture for centuries. The tree thrives in the hot and humid climates of Southeast Asia, which is the top kratom source in the world.

People would chew the leaves of the tree to relax the body and liberate the mind. Most of the kratom you get today is made from the tree’s dried leaves. The kratom leaves are hand-picked by farmers when the plant has grown to its sweet spot. Farmers use a specialized drying technique, then the leaves are crushed and made into the kratom powder that you can purchase today.

Benefits of Kratom

What has made kratom so popular? The answer is simple, its benefits. Over the past few years, people have developed a much higher interest in natural health solutions and supplements. This change has sent the masses looking into the benefits of botanicals as a way to take care of their bodies without adding too many artificial ingredients.

The simplicity of high-quality kratom products and the lack of artificial ingredients has attracted a lot of attention. Even more importantly are the benefits that kratom fans have reported experiencing after taking the product. Although these benefits haven't been scientifically verified, they've been reported consistently and are largely accepted within the kratom communities. Some of these benefits include:

Discomfort Support

Physical bodily improvement is one of the most commonly reported effects by people who take kratom. This benefit traces back to ancient times when casual laborers would pick kratom leaves right off the tree and chew them. Kratom has been said to help ease different types of tightness and soreness. It is also one of the reasons why more people have continued to take an interest in kratom – as a natural solution for various discomforts.

Energy and Focus

It’s essential to note that most kratom strains produce different effects when taken in different doses. Some kratom strains produce more energizing and focusing benefits than others. And generally, most strains can produce the same effect when taken in small amounts. That makes kratom a great product to take in the morning to get your day started on the right foot.

Some people also take kratom when tackling challenging tasks to help stay more focused, or when they’re in need a little energy boost. Experts believe it helps do this by causing a spike in epinephrine, better known as adrenaline. It's famed for the ‘fight or flight’ mechanism in the body, and is a natural way to boost our ability to focus and perform.

Mood Elevation

Kratom has also been reported to help uplift mood and support stress relief. If you’re faced with a public speaking event or find yourself struggling in social events, kratom may help to take the edge off and make it easier for you to socialize.

Research has shown that spikes in endorphins can ease the symptoms associated with these feelings. Kratom is believed to create an artificial endorphin rush, helping alleviate that feeling of being ‘down in the dumps.’ Kratom is also said to increase GABA levels (relaxing neurotransmitter) in the bloodstream, which can help to calm and relax the mind.

Sleep Support

Many users have reported improved sleep quality after taking kratom. And some strains, like the red-vein kratom strain, have potent sedating properties. This can aid in creating the ideal environment for your mind and body to fall asleep more easily. Combined with other benefits like easing the discomfort that could interrupt your sleep, you might feel a whole lot better after taking kratom.

A Brief History of Kratom Laws in Indiana

Kratom consumers have reported numerous benefits. But federal and state agencies are focused on the uplifting effects of kratom and its propensity to create dependency. As a result, some states have been making laws to limit the use of kratom and restrict it altogether. Indiana is among those states.

The battle for kratom in Indiana started when Indiana’s State Senate passed a law in 2014 that banned kratom across the state. The legislation classified kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance, putting it in the same class as other substances like morphine and heroin!

Indiana lawmakers believed that kratom should be outlawed due to the lack of scientific and medical studies regarding the use of it. The FDA also stated that there were no proven medical benefits to using this natural solution. Yet, you can ask countless consumers of it with endless benefits. The law was amended in 2018 to reclassify kratom as a Schedule I hallucinogenic substance, which elevated it to the class of compounds like cannabis and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

In 2023, kratom opened a new chapter in the state senate when multiple bills were filed seeking the decriminalization of kratom in the state of Indiana. House Bill 1500 is one of the most notable, as it sought to decriminalize kratom. It would also set up a framework to regulate the sales of the product, which stakeholders believe is crucial in keeping kratom safe and effective.

Kratom Laws of Buying, Selling, and Possessing In Indiana

Unfortunately for fans in Indiana, kratom is prohibited statewide. So producing, regulating, dealing, or even having kratom in the state is unlawful.

If you break the law and are caught using kratom in Indiana, you could face serious punishments. If you're found using kratom, you may face violation prosecution, which carries a maximum punishment of one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. In some cases, the penalty for the offense can also be increased.

Carrying kratom in the presence of a minor or around learning institutions like schools is also prohibited. If you're caught, you may be prosecuted with a Level 6 felony, carrying a sentence of six months to 2.5 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.

Indiana has yet to approve remedial legislation that would allow kratom ownership for therapeutic purposes. However, doctors can legally prescribe kratom as a medicine or aid in Indiana.

Efforts by the Kratom Trade Association to Make Kratom Legal in Indiana

The Kratom Trade Association has been at the forefront of trying to push for kratom rights in Indiana, and is the only trade organization for kratom dealers.

They also happen to be one of the organizations actively working to legalize kratom in the state. Their efforts include a campaign in 2018 that raised donations to support the repeal of Indiana’s kratom ban. Although they were unsuccessful, the KTA claims that the campaign was a great move in the fight for kratom legalization because it taught the government and law enforcement agencies about kratom and what it can do for people.

What To Do About Kratom in Indiana

There might be a glimpse of hope for the future of kratom in Indiana. But, kratom is still illegal in the state, and most kratom retailers won’t even ship to Indiana due to the ban. So what can kratom lovers do in Indiana?

• Enjoy kratom outside of state lines – Kratom is legal in all the states that border Indiana. So, if you live near the border of Kentucky, Illinois, or Ohio, you can always take a day trip to the neighboring state to enjoy some kratom there.
• Try kratom alternatives – If you live too far from state lines, you can try other botanicals. 
• Write to your legislators – You can join the movement to make kratom legal in Indiana by writing to our legislators on the legal status of kratom as we speak. It can be one of the ways you can contribute to the HB1500 bill being passed into law. If you've had positive experiences with kratom, you can outline them to make your case.

What Are the Chances of Kratom Legality in Indiana?

The chances of kratom becoming legal in Indiana are fair at best, but that’s not to say it’s impossible. Currently, the popular opinion favors prohibition, but the number of organizations and people working actively on this issue in Indiana is constantly growing. Most individuals are filing petitions and raising funds to persuade the authorities to reverse the state’s kratom prohibition.