Kratom, or mambog as it’s locally called by Filipinos, is a plant native to Southeast Asia. Kratom grows naturally in the Philippines, but just because it grows there doesn’t make it automatically legal. This article aims to clear the air about the current legal status of kratom in the Philippines by examining the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and Republic Act 9165, which governs such matters. Kratom’s legal status varies across Southeast Asia, so it is important to know the laws before travelling with kratom or bringing kratom to any country.
The Philippines is known to have very strict drug laws, with strong penalties and a low tolerance for anyone found in violation. Its drug policy is based on Republic Act No. 9165, known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. This law outlines substances classified as dangerous drugs by the government and the penalties for possessing, selling, manufacturing, or importing them.
Under Section 93 of the Act, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) has the authority to add or remove substances from the list after review. The last DDB update was in April 2023, and according to that list, Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) and its alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, are not included among dangerous drugs in the Philippines. This means kratom is technically legal under the law. With this said, it is important to monitor the DDB website, for kratom and its primary alkaloids, as laws can change quickly.
The Philippines is one of the Southeast Asian countries where kratom can grow naturally. However, it is mostly found in rural areas and is not well-known among urban residents. Since kratom is not officially prohibited in the Philippines, there have been no reported cases of arrest or prosecution. Kratom is also not a common export of the country, signaling its relative lack of interest.
A review of the 2024 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) shows that kratom is not mentioned. Likewise, the annual summaries of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) contain no references to kratom, mambog or the primary alkaloids. Since no press releases have been issued regarding kratom by the PDEA, it currently does not appear to be on the radar, however it is important to monitor closely for changes.
Nevertheless, while kratom remains officially unregulated in the Philippines, it may still attract attention from customs when imported, especially in large quantities. It is best not to bring kratom into the country when travelling to avoid scrutiny if at all possible, even though it is technically unregulated.
Kratom laws are not universal, meaning it can be legal, unregulated, regulated, or banned depending on the country. Even in Southeast Asia, where it grows naturally, its legal status varies. For example, in Thailand, kratom was once classified as a controlled substance, but in 2021 it was removed from the narcotics list and decriminalized, allowing regulated cultivation and medical use.
In other Southeast Asian countries such as Myanmar and Malaysia, kratom remains a controlled substance, with harsh penalties for possession. This variation in kratom’s legal status extends worldwide, as the plant has the potential for misuse if not used responsibly. It can also be adulterated or contaminated, with limited quality controls in many cases posing additional health risks to consumers.
So while kratom does not currently see a focus for the Filipino government, the country could eventually face regional or international pressure to regulate or prohibit its use. Kratom users should stay informed about legal updates to avoid any potential issues.
As of 2025, there are no publicly available proposals released by the government to add kratom or its alkaloids to the list of dangerous drugs in the Philippines. The Committees for Public Order and Dangerous Drugs occasionally review new substances to determine whether they should be added or removed from the list. So far, kratom has not appeared to be a major concern, as it has received little public attention and discussion in the country.
As of 2025, kratom is not listed as a dangerous drug in the Philippines. However, just because it is not listed as a prohibited substance does not mean it is publicly recognized as officially legal. At best, kratom remains in a legal gray area, which means you may still face scrutiny.
While there have been no reports of legal proceedings against those found with kratom so far, be ready to explain that it’s not listed as a dangerous drug if questioned. For those interested in kratom in the Philippines, always check the official DDB and PDEA websites for the most up to date information.
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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