Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Blog
Is Kratom Legal in North Carolina?
People use a variety of substances and supplements to treat many different problems. In some cases, a person can use a substance for recreational purposes. While many drugs have been deemed illegal, some have not yet been made illegal. Kratom and similar substances are commonly called “gasoline drugs” because they are widely available in gas stations and local convenience stores. Kratom is a substance that has only recently gained in popularity.
What is Kratom?
Kratom is a substance that is derived from the leaves of an evergreen tree found in Southeast Asia. Kratom is available in a variety of forms for consumption, including pills, gummies, powder, tea, and liquid. It is often used for pain. In small doses, kratom has stimulant effects, while in higher doses, it has sedative properties as well as psychotic symptoms. Using it can also lead to both physical and psychological dependence.
Is Kratom an Opioid?
Kratom is not a traditional opioid because it is not derived from the opium poppy. However, kratom acts like an opioid in the body. One of the active compounds found in kratom is 7-OH. This compound is known for strong dependency as well as withdrawal symptoms. When you ingest kratom, the body treats it in a way that is similar to opioids and reacts in the same way. Although it is not considered an opioid, it is still a substance that feels much the same way. This is why many people are using it in the same way they would use opiates.
Is Kratom Safe?
While kratom is a legal substance, there are safety concerns. First and foremost, Kratom is not regulated or approved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, kratom comes from a variety of sources, many of which are unreliable. Because it is not FDA-approved, no warnings are issued for its safe use. When you purchase kratom products, you cannot be sure of what you are getting. The ingredients and compounds, as well as the concentration, can range significantly between products and suppliers. There have been reported incidents of potential overdoses that could be related to kratom abuse.
Is Kratom Legal in North Carolina?
Kratom is becoming more popular, especially among young people. That is because it is readily available almost anywhere and is accessible to young people. It is particularly trendy in college towns across the country. Some states, including neighboring Tennessee, have made kratom sale, use, and possession illegal; North Carolina has not yet ruled on the matter. Therefore, kratom is, at this point, still legal to buy and use in our state. Kratom is not on the federal schedule of controlled substances and does not fall under regulations of the Controlled Substances Act. Anyone can purchase kratom in our state; however, there will likely be future debate and the potential for legislation regulating this substance.
To learn more about illegal drug possession charges, contact our legal team at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to request a consultation.
The criminal defense attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC represent individuals facing a wide range of state and federal criminal charges. Our practice includes traffic violations, DWI/DUI offenses, drug crimes, firearm and weapons charges, and gun permit denials.
We also defend clients accused of property crimes, including larceny, breaking and entering, robbery, fraud, embezzlement, and other white-collar offenses. Our attorneys handle cases involving sex-related offenses, such as indecent exposure, sexual assault, crimes against nature, and petitions for removal from the sex offender registry. In addition, we represent individuals charged with violent crimes, including domestic violence offenses, assault, manslaughter, homicide, and murder.
Beyond criminal charges, we assist clients with related legal matters such as restraining orders, probation violations, expungements, criminal appeals, and immigration issues arising from criminal allegations. We believe that informed clients are empowered clients, and we are committed to helping individuals understand their constitutional rights while providing aggressive and effective legal representation at every stage of the process.
Source:
https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/kratom-what-is-it-and-is-it-safe
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/21/812
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