The legality of kratom is not uniform in Europe, so it’s important to know the specific laws of a particular country before traveling there. Kratom is currently illegal in Denmark, while it is legal or uncontrolled in other European countries such as the Netherlands. Read below for a more detailed breakdown of the details surrounding the legality of kratom within Denmark.
Under Denmark’s law on euphoric substances, kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and its alkaloids are listed as banned substances. This was made available to the public under Executive Order No. 174, dated March 2009. Therefore, kratom became officially illegal in Denmark in 2009. And from the current update of Denmark’s law on euphoric substances, kratom remains on the list.
The only exception to this law is if the Danish Medicines Agency grants a special permit for kratom use, usually for scientific, medical, or industrial research purposes.
So it is prohibited to import, sell, buy, or possess kratom products for personal use in Denmark. On the other hand, kratom is strictly limited for scientific, medical, or research purposes, and a permit must be granted before use.
The penalties for being caught with kratom in Denmark are the same as those for other controlled substances. There’s an unlikely chance of going to jail if caught with small quantities for personal use, although not impossible. In most cases, small quantities will be met with a fine.
While there’s no specific fine listed by Denmark authorities for kratom, cannabinoid fines for personal use are about 500 Danish kroner (around $78 USD) for first-time offenders, which could go up for repeated offences. This would likely be similar to what would be fined if caught with small amounts of kratom.
Offenders could be paying more in fines or risk spending up to 2 years in jail if caught with large quantities or repeated violations. It is always important for people to adhere to the laws of any country to prevent any possibility of fines, criminal prosecution, jail time and travel prohibitions.
Apart from Denmark, a few other European countries have also banned kratom. Some of them include Sweden, Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania. Each of them has its own specific laws that classify kratom and other substances as illegal. They all have similar reasons for doing so, and it is centered around health risks, potential for abuse, and lack of medical approval.
That said, many EU countries care less about kratom or take a softer stance towards it. For example, kratom is legal and unregulated in the Netherlands, which means it is free to sell, buy, possess, or use it in the country.
Kratom users traveling to Europe need to understand these varying rules to avoid trouble. It can be tempting to travel between countries in the EU because of open borders, hence the need to be aware of country specific rules. Nevertheless, Denmark remains one of the stricter countries in the EU regarding kratom, having chosen to control accessibility except for special authorization.
Kratom is a traditionally used plant special to certain groups in Southeast Asia. But since it gained global recognition, there have been controversies surrounding its use from across the world.
Those against it argue that it has the potential for health risks and abuse, and it has not been scientifically proven to offer health benefits. Those who are for it relish its potential to improve general well-being and work as a medicinal herb.
These debates have left kratom with three legal statuses: legal, regulated, or illegal. It is a ban for Denmark, with strict authorization for research or medical purposes. In the United States, it is federally unregulated, but each state has its own laws, with six states having banned it, while it remains legal or controlled in other states.
For visitors traveling to Denmark, it doesn’t matter whether kratom is legal in their respective countries or not. What matters is that kratom cannot be brought legally into Denmark. Danish customs are consistently on the lookout for parcels and luggage, and kratom will most likely be confiscated if found. Depending on the amount, offenders risk fines, a criminal record and prohibition from travelling to Denmark.
Those living in Denmark should also resist the temptation of ordering online since imports are blocked and also illegal within the country, even if purchased from within the EU.
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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