Iowa is a midwestern state of the US that is bordered by six other states. The state’s capital, which is also its most populous city, is Des Moines.
Iowa has sandwiched between the Mississippi River to its east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux river to its west. It is one of the safest states to live in.
Iowa is a state of great attractions like Ruins of Fort Atkinson, the Fourth street historic district, Grotto of Redemption and many other places.
There are many things to do in Iowa for tourists and vacationers like clubbing, visiting sports arenas, and historical sites.
Kratom is finding its spot among these other attractions for the tourists as well as natives because of the many benefits of the plant.
The Legal Status Of Kratom In Iowa Is It OK To Buy and Consume?
The simple answer to this question is “Yes”. Kratom is legal in Iowa. As of 2020, no law refrains from selling, buying or consuming Kratom within Iowa.
In 2016, the DEA tried to ban Kratom and criminalize its recreational as well as medical use by classifying it as a Schedule 1 drug. But this bill could not pass because of the efforts of the Pro Kratom activists. But to be clear, the FDA does not approve of the consumption of Kratom because according to them, there is not sufficient evidence to back its benefits.
They also believe that it has the potential for addiction. On the other hand, the American Kratom Association is working avidly to get it legalized. But, it should be kept in mind that the consumption of Kratom in contaminated form is prohibited and is against the law.
Kratom is also illegal in the six states that include Arkansas, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Alabama, Indiana, and Vermont. So, flying to these states with Kratom in your backpack is not advised at all.
Recently, the officials in Pontotoc County Mississippi have imposed a ban on all the dealings related to Kratom. The possession and selling of Kratom have become punishable offences.
Due to the COVID19 crisis nowadays, the FDA has implemented a temporary policy wherein it is prioritising resources and only performing “for-cause inspections”. To find out more about it, click here.
Best Spots To Buy Kratom Online In Iowa
The greatest benefit of shopping online is that you find the best prices. These are some of the online stores for you to check.
1) Almost Paradise Tobacco and Vapor
Located in Iowa City, it also has an online store that has nearly all the products you can dream of. It has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on 180 reviews.
Address: 355 S Linn St, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States
Online shop: https://www.almostparadise-ic.com/
2) Shag Ames
This store is based in Ames and is one of the best places to buy Kratom products.
It has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 based on 65 reviews.
Address: 2801 Grand Ave #1005, Ames, IA 50010, United States
Online shop: https://www.shopshag.com/
3) Unkl Ruckus’s Smoking Emporium & Skate Shop – Urbandale
Decent staff, reasonable prices, a wide variety of products. What else do you want? It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on 248 reviews.
Address: 5725 Urbandale Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310, United States
Online shop: https://www.unklruckussdsm.store
4) Vape Cafe and Wellness Center
This is a shop as well as a cafe where you can chill and enjoy yourself. Prices are also reasonable. They have an online store as well.
It has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on 219 reviews.
Address: 1203 Jersey Ridge Rd, Davenport, IA 52803, United States
Online shop: https://villagevapecafe.com/
Local Kratom Stores Near You in Iowa
Shopping from local stores is usually not advised because many of their products are often contaminated. Still, there are some excellent places in Iowa that you can visit.
1) Smoke Shop
This small shop has a wide variety of smokes, alcohol, cigars, etc. The staff is friendly and helping.
It has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on 220 reviews.
Address: 1918 SE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50320, United States
2) Things N Things
A lot of variety coupled with a very consumer-friendly staff, makes this store a must-visit.
It has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 184 reviews.
Address: 617 Center Point Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, United States
3) The Konnexion
Located in Iowa City, this place is a Haven for all the smokers and vapers out there. With many positive reviews, this place has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 based on 96 reviews.
Address: 106 S Linn St, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States
4) House of Glass
Located in the capital Des Moines, this small store has everything you need. You can find every Kratom product here.
It has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 238 reviews.
Address: 5701 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321, United States
5) Central Iowa Vapor
It is an excellent place for beginners. The staff guides you thoroughly and helps in the buying process.
It has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 based on 275 reviews.
Address: 3921 NE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50313, United States
How To Choose The Best Kratom Store In Iowa?
Choosing the right store can be a tiresome process. Here are some tips that will streamline your journey of selecting the best place for you.
Ask Your Acquaintances
Asking your friends or family is one of the best ways to gain reliable information about the local stores in your area. If someone uses Kratom, it is a good idea to ask them about the local store they buy from.
Check Online Reviews
Yelp is an excellent resource to find reliable reviews about any store in your vicinity. There are a lot of reviews to scroll through.
Another online source is Google Maps. Here, you can also find online reviews as well as the addresses and contact numbers of the respective stores.
Yellow Pages
You can also check Yellow Pages as a last resort to find local Kratom shops. The downside to using it is that you will not find any reviews.
Things To Keep In Mind Before Buying Kratom
The main question that arises when purchasing Kratom is why you are buying it. Or more importantly, do you even know what Kratom is? Let’s find out.
What Is Kratom?
Mitragyna speciosa, otherwise known as Kratom, is a tree commonly found in Indonesia, Myanmar and other southeast Asian countries. This tree is a member of the coffee family and is known around the world for its myriads of medicinal and recreational uses.
Kratom is the herbal extract that is obtained from the leaves of this tree and can be consumed in various forms. It can be chewed, swallowed, smoked or even brewed. In liquid form, it can be taken as a tea or a smoothie.
There are different strains of this plant. The most popular are Bali, Maeng Da, Red vein Thai, Red Indo, and Green vein Kali. The green strain is the most potent. The active ingredients in Kratom are mitragynine, 7-hydroxy mitragynine, and some other alkaloids.
What Are The Benefits Of Kratom?
Kratom works by acting on the opioid receptors- the same receptors that are acted upon by Morphine. Thus it has the same pain-reducing effects as that of other opioids.
At low to medium doses, it acts as a stimulant and makes the person feel more energetic. It alleviates the pain and may even cause euphoria. The person may also feel a boost in the sex drive.
At higher doses, it acts as a sedative and the consumer may feel sleepy. Other benefits include alertness and anxiety and insomnia relief. It is usually safe to consume unless it has been adulterated or contaminated with high alkaloid substances.
According to a recent user survey done by the researchers at John Hopkins, it was found out that Kratom, in addition to many other uses, has its role in the treatment of opioid withdrawal symptoms. 91% of the respondents of this survey used this substance for pain relief, while 67% and 64% used it to treat anxiety and depression, respectively.
Out of 41% that used it to treat opioid dependence, 87% reported relief from withdrawal symptoms, whereas 35% were free from opioids after one year.
What Are The Adverse Side Effects?
Although rare, there are some severe side effects of Kratom, particularly when it is taken in higher doses. Some milder side effects include dry mouth, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.
But there can also be some serious effects like liver damage, hallucinations and delusions, seizures, coma, and even death. You can also fail a doping test as it is detectable in urine for a long duration of time.
Is Kratom Addictive?
There hasn’t been enough evidence yet that can answer this question. There has been some research that concluded that there is a significant risk of addiction by repeated use of this drug.
On the other hand, a research paper published in 2018 concluded that there is limited risk of abuse and addiction with the use of Kratom. So, the evidence goes back and forth, and one cannot be certain about the hazards related to it.
Is It OK To Smoke Kratom?
Yes. There are no laws that prohibit the smoking of Kratom. But, to vape, one needs kratom vape juice which is a form of Kratom extract. Kratom extracts usually are the most potent form of Kratom as they contain a very high concentration of the drug.
Thus, the use of these extracts is not recommended by the American Kratom Association. So, if you decide to vape, try not to get intoxicated.
But What About Driving With Kratom?
Kratom is usually safe to consume and does not cause intoxication. But, higher doses can cause sedation and coordination problems which can be a potential cause of road traffic accidents.
There is also some evidence of vision problems. So, it is better not to consume it before driving so that you and other people remain safe.
Why Is Kratom Lab Testing important?
As mentioned before, the main active ingredients of Kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine. Mitragynine constitutes two-third of its total alkaloid content.
There is always a chance that Kratom has been adulterated by adding heavy metals or other dangerous alkaloids which make it unsafe for consumption. Thus, lab testing is essential to look at the contents of Kratom before selling it to the public.
Who Is Allowed To Sell and Distribute Kratom Products?
The American Kratom Association started a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) program to ensure safety and quality standards.
According to this, all the GMP certified vendors and distributors have to list all the ingredients of Kratom products. People are encouraged to buy their Kratom products only from certified vendors.
Look, Ask and Then Buy!
Whenever you go to buy Kratom, some things should be kept in mind. It is the responsibility of the vendors to ensure that the Kratom products they sell are safe for public use.
But many vendors try to sell Kratom that has been mixed with some other dangerous substances like heavy metals and alkaloids to make more money.
So, always look at the contents of the type of Kratom that you are buying. The safest way is to buy Kratom from GMP approved vendors.
Bottomline
There is a lot of research that has been done and a lot that is still going on. FDA is also looking into the potential benefits and hazards of Kratom.
The American Kratom Association is putting in avid efforts to make the whole process of production, distribution, and consumption safe for the users. As of now, the future of this industry looks bright.
