Cambodia’s National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) has ramped up efforts to crack down on kratom cultivation, calling for comprehensive reports from all provinces to understand the extent of kratom growth and its impact on public health and safety. The NACD’s initiative aims to gather detailed data on the number of kratom plants and their locations. “We do not yet have specific numbers on how many plants there are, but it appears that the numbers are low, and we cannot precisely determine where it is growing. Therefore, we have asked the provinces to provide data on the number of plants and their locations,” said Lim Tong
Huot, director of the NACD’s Education and Public Relations Department.
Kratom’s Legal Status in Cambodia and Neighboring Thailand
Kratom is not yet classified as a controlled substance under Cambodian law. However, some plants have been found growing near the border with Thailand, where kratom has a long history of traditional use. Thailand recently legalized kratom after nearly 80 years of prohibition. The Thai government initially banned kratom in 1943 to curb its use as an alternative to opium, which was taxed by the government. In 1979, kratom was classified as a Schedule 5 narcotic in Thailand, leading to strict penalties for its possession, sale, and use.
ASEAN’s Stance on Kratom
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Brunei Darussalam, has a long history of cooperation in combating illicit drugs. However, there is no consensus within ASEAN on whether kratom should be classified as an illicit drug. In Indonesia, for example, kratom is a significant source of income for farmers. While it is illegal to buy and sell kratom domestically, it is legal to grow and export.
Recent Crackdowns and Future Implications
In July, Cambodian authorities shut down a man who was manufacturing and selling kratom tea near the Thai border. The man claimed he sold just 20 liters per year to Thai consumers. Despite kratom not being illegal in Cambodia, his kratom juice was confiscated, and his trees were cut down. He was required to sign a contract agreeing to cease his kratom-related activities.
The NACD’s recent actions indicate a growing concern over kratom’s potential impact on public health and safety. As the NACD continues to gather data, the future legal status of kratom in Cambodia remains uncertain. The findings from the provincial reports will likely inform future policy decisions and regulatory measures regarding kratom cultivation and use in Cambodia.