Kratom Legality In Austria: What's The Current Stance?

Kratom is a herbal medicine that has been used in Southeast Asia since at least the 19th century. While it has a stimulant effect in low doses, higher doses have a sedative and narcotic effect. In recent years, it has become popular in Europe and North America, with people using it to self-medicate, as a substitute for opioids, or for its stimulant, mood-enhancing, and relaxing effects. However, its popularity has led to regulatory attention and widespread control, and even a ban in some countries. So, is it legal in Austria?

Kratom is legal in Austria, but banned in many other European countries

Austria's Narcotics Act and New Psychoactive Substances Act do not mention kratom, and it can be purchased online or in local shops. Austria is one of 17 EU member countries to allow kratom. Several others ban the substance but do little to enforce these laws.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reviews new substances annually and recently decided that kratom is not dangerous. The WHO took no action to recommend banning kratom in Austria or any other member countries.

However, many European countries have banned kratom. France, for example, banned the possession and purchase of kratom in 2020, citing serious health risks. Poland and Slovakia, which border Austria, have also banned the substance. Other countries that have banned kratom include Denmark, Estonia, Luxembourg, Portugal, and more.

The legality of kratom in Europe varies from country to country, with some choosing to ban it, while others allow it to be sold as a dye or incense, or label it as "not suitable for human consumption."

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reviewed kratom and decided it is not dangerous

In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) reviewed kratom during its annual assessment of psychoactive compounds and decided that it is not dangerous. The WHO Executive Committee on Drug Dependency concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend a critical review of kratom. This decision was a win for kratom users, as the WHO could have recommended limitations on the substance or even suggested that it be banned.

The WHO's decision is particularly significant because, under international law, the organization is required to review psychoactive substances. After studying the research, the WHO then reports its findings to the United Nations. The organization's opinion carries a lot of weight, and its recommendations can influence the drug policies of countries around the world.

In the case of kratom, the WHO found that the substance is not a threat. This means that countries that are part of the United Nations are less likely to ban kratom or place strict controls on it. This decision is especially relevant for countries in the European Union (EU), which can issue general rulings and laws that member states must follow. While individual EU states do have some freedom when it comes to legalizing or banning substances, there is a mutual recognition principle that comes into play. This means that if a substance is approved for use in one member state, it should not be banned in the rest.

Austria is one of the EU member states where kratom is legal. The country takes a humanitarian view of people who become addicted to drugs, and kratom is not mentioned in either the New Psychoactive Substances Act or the Narcotics Act. Kratom can be purchased online or in person at local botanical shops and smoke shops. However, it is always recommended to buy from a reputable online seller to ensure safety and potency.

Kratom is deemed safe but can lead to addiction and has side effects like nausea and vomiting

Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia. It has been labelled as an atypical opioid with narcotic-like properties, and its use has been increasing worldwide. While it is deemed safe, it can lead to addiction and has several side effects such as nausea and vomiting.

Kratom is currently legal in Austria and can be purchased online or in local shops. Austria has adopted a humanitarian view of people struggling with drug addiction, and its laws reflect this perspective. The country has the New Psychoactive Substances Act and the Narcotics Act, but neither of these pieces of legislation mentions kratom, leaving it in a legal grey area.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reviewed kratom and decided that it is not dangerous. As a result, the organization took no action to recommend banning it in Austria or any other member countries. This decision is significant because, according to the mutual recognition principle in the European Union, if a substance is approved in one member state, it should not be banned in the rest.

Despite being deemed safe by the WHO, kratom does have some side effects and can lead to addiction. Kratom's psychoactive alkaloids, such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, act as partial mu opioid agonists, which can lead to kratom dependence. Regular use of kratom can result in withdrawal symptoms, including increased social behaviour, sensitivity to sunburn, and increased motivation, as well as depressed mood, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and physical symptoms like myalgia, body aches, and joint pain, and nausea or vomiting.

It is important to note that the effects of kratom depend on the dosage. Lower doses of kratom have energizing or stimulant effects, while higher doses can have pain-relieving or sedative effects. Additionally, kratom has been associated with rare cases of seizures and, when combined with other substances, severe adverse effects such as liver problems and death. Therefore, it is crucial to use kratom responsibly and not mix it with other drugs or substances.

Austria has a humanitarian view of drug addiction and allows the use of many substances

Austria has a humanitarian view of people who become addicted to drugs. The country allows the use of many substances, including kratom (Mitragyna speciosa).

Austria's Narcotics Act and New Psychoactive Substances Act do not mention kratom, and it is not considered a controlled substance. This means that it is possible to buy kratom in Austria, either online or in person at one of approximately 20 shops nationwide.

Austria's approach to drug policy is notable within Europe, where most countries have banned kratom. The European Union allows individual countries to make decisions about banning or legalising substances, and Austria has chosen to keep kratom legal.

The World Health Organization (WHO) supports Austria's position, having found that kratom is not dangerous and recommending that it should be "kept under surveillance" rather than banned.

Austria's stance on kratom is part of its overall humanitarian approach to drugs, recognising that certain substances can be helpful for people dealing with opioid withdrawal. This sets an important precedent for other countries to follow, prioritising harm reduction and the wellbeing of those struggling with addiction.

Kratom is sold in Austria in smoke shops, online, and in botanical shops

There are at least 20 businesses that sell kratom in Austria. While it is possible to go into a smoke shop to obtain it, the recommended way to buy kratom is to choose a reputable online seller. This way, you truly get your money's worth, and the products are more potent and safer. Kratom can be purchased by mail from any country in the EU where kratom is legal.

Austria has the New Psychoactive Substances Act and the Narcotics Act, but neither mentions kratom. Austria takes a humanitarian view of people who become addicted to drugs, and it allows the use of many substances, including kratom.

Frequently asked questions