The US Department of Defense prohibits the use of kratom and its components (Mitragynine and 7-OH). They listed kratom as one of the DoD prohibited dietary supplement ingredients, which means service members are not permitted to use kratom.
Kratom is not a controlled substance federally in the US, and it is legal in most states (except for 7). It’s increasingly becoming popular throughout the country due to its potential to improve quality of life for some people. However, because of kratom’s potential for abuse, dependency, and side effects, the FDA does not approve it as a drug or dietary supplement. This is the foundation upon which the US military bases its judgment.
Keep reading to get a full breakdown on kratom legality for US military personnel.
No, kratom is not legal in the US armed forces, and this stance is taken from the fact that the FDA does not recognize it as a dietary supplement.
Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS) is the DoD’s program responsible for offering guidance to improve the health and performance of personnel. Kratom and its alkaloids are listed as prohibited ingredients on the OPSS website.
Therefore, as a member of the armed forces, you should not purchase or consume kratom because it is against military policy and disobeying could get you discharged, or possibly facing criminal charges.
Kratom is legal in most states in the United States, so why is it prohibited for service members, regardless of their state? The official website of the United States Air Force listed the reasons why kratom is not allowed in the military:
No, kratom use won’t produce a positive result during a standard DoD drug test. However, there are specialized tests that can detect kratom alkaloids in blood, urine, or hair samples. If the military notices any strange behaviour or suspects you are using kratom, it can send your samples to specialized labs for further testing.
We always recommend that kratom users abide by the rules wherever they find themselves, and in this case, service members should avoid kratom to stay compliant with the code of conduct to avoid employment and / or legal issues..
Urine tests are the commonly used tests for detecting kratom. However, other tests may detect kratom in your system, such as blood, saliva, and hair tests.
These tests are generally preferred because they are convenient and less expensive. It works by detecting kratom metabolites excreted in the urine. The 5-panel urine test won’t be able to detect kratom in your urine, but it can be detected on a 10-panel urine test.
The 10-panel test can catch kratom in your system about 6 hours after consuming kratom. Kratom can stay in your urine for up to a week, and for heavy or regular users, it could stay longer than 7 days.
The invasive nature of blood tests makes them another good mode of testing in medical settings. Their detection window is short, which makes them best suited for detecting intoxication. With a blood test, your result may come up as positive for 1-3 days after your last dose.
Even though this test is rarely used for kratom, it can detect kratom and illicit drugs via your hair follicles for up to 90 days.
There is limited research on saliva testing for kratom, but its non-invasive nature and ease of administration make it an option to consider. It may detect kratom for a short period after ingestion.
You can be discharged from the US military if caught using or owning kratom. The military treats prohibited substances strictly, and violating military regulations can cost you your job, imprisonment, and even loss of allowances.
The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division states clearly that kratom use is punishable by the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The punishment can include the loss of all pay and allowances, up to 2 years confinement, and/or a dishonorable discharge.
Are there cases where a service member was discharged from service because of kratom? Yes, a service man shared his story of how he was discharged for being found with a bag of kratom. Allegedly, he wasn’t aware that kratom use was prohibited in the military, but ignorance didn’t save him from being reprimanded.
We want to reiterate our commitment to ensuring that kratom users abide by the rules in any situation they find themselves in. It is clearly stated that kratom and its alkaloids are prohibited substances in the US military. Kratom may be legal for civilians in your area, but the case is not the same for service members. Being ignorant of the law may not save you, which is why you need to stay informed about current laws.
CONTENT DISCLAIMER: The content on this page is strictly for entertainment purposes only. The content below has not been medically reviewed and is not intended to offer advice for use or intended use. For more information about kratom and its potential dangers, please visit the fda.gov site.
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