In South East Asia, where it's been cultivated for centuries, it goes by
many names: thom, ithang, kakuam, biak biak and ketum, to name a few.
Yet in the United States and Europe it's known by only one name:
kratom.
kratom's popularity has grown in recent years due to its differing
effects depending on the dosage and its relative safety of use. Still,
many people do not know where to buy it, and it is for that reason some
people will never try it. While finding kratom is not as easy as finding
something like cigarettes, there are sources available that can legally
sell the drug for a reasonable price.
One's preferred seller of kratom is going to depend on the speed at
which one wants to receive it. Many smoke shops that sell glassware and
salvia often stock kratom and kratom extract. These sources will also
often assign labels to it such as "super," "premium," and "super
premium." Reviews of the different brands reveal that there is generally
no difference between any of them. The shops where to get kratom
extract is easiest tend to be much larger. Smaller smoke shops may only
have the leaf itself.
The upside of buying from a head shop is that the consumer will get
their kratom immediately, and then can take it home and eat it, chew it,
or make it into tea. They can also smoke it, but this is rather
inefficient. The head shop staff should also know a bit about the
product itself, and can answer any questions one might have about this
interesting leaf. Of course, there are always smoke shops that are run
by an uneducated or uncaring staff, so its possible they may not know
anything about the kratom they sell. Customers should exercise caution
if this is the case.
Unfortunately, smoke shops tend to inflate the price a bit to compensate
for the cost of importing the leaf, as well as the cost of their
employees and rent. This can result in a rather expensive buying
experience. Also, many individuals do not live near smoke shops, or may
not live near one that sells kratom.
Interested kratom users who want to spend less may want to try shopping
online. The biggest problem with online retailers of any product is that
scammers and fakes are rampant. Always be sure to check reviews for
online stores and only go with the most reputable source available.
Likewise, some kratom brands can be low quality as well, so its
important to make sure the brand one chooses to buy also has good
reviews.
Unless one is willing to pay exorbitant shipping costs, it can take
anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to have the kratom shipped to a
home or business. Still, it is probably the cheapest simple way to try
the exotic leaf, and the easiest way to get it in bulk.
If one finds themselves in Thailand, Bali, Indonesia, or Malaysia, they
will find themselves in a situation where to get kratom will be much
easier if they are adventurous. The leaf grows rampant in rural areas,
and has been used quite frequently in some areas for many years. Growers
of kratom in the United States and Europe are rare, so this may be the
only place to find it in the wild.
Unfortunately, the Thai government has banned the cultivation of kratom
since 1946, and foreigners do not get special exception. It is also
probably very, very difficult to find any of it in countries where it is
still legal. Luckily, the leaf is completely legal in the United States
and Europe, although some states have banned its sale to minors, and
others may have banned it completely. Always check local and state law
before ordering. Other than that, it's simply a matter of getting it
quickly and for a higher price at a smoke shop, or waiting a few days
and getting it cheaper from an online retailer.
