The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Thailand has raised the permissible daily dose of mitragynine from 0.2 milligrams to 1.0 milligrams.
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin announced that this decision will benefit kratom agriculture, as dietary supplement companies can now include more mitragynine in their products.
“With the FDA setting the standard at 1mg of mitragynine for daily use, a new era for the kratom industry in Thailand begins,” Somsak told The Nation Thailand. “I congratulate the farmers who have been waiting for this moment.”
Mitragynine Content in Kratom
Research indicates that Thai kratom leaves contain between 7.5 and 26.6 milligrams of mitragynine per gram. Thus, the FDA’s recommended daily dose remains quite low, and new extract products will be significantly weaker than traditional kratom tea. For comparison, some liquid kratom extract shots sold at gas stations can contain up to 310 mg of mitragynine, far exceeding the traditional tea consumption levels.
Legal History of Kratom in Thailand
In 1943, the Thai government enacted the Kratom Act 2486, making it illegal to plant kratom trees. This was part of an effort to control opium use, as kratom was seen as a competing substance. Despite the ban, kratom continued to grow in the wild, and its use persisted discreetly.
In 1979, kratom was classified as a Category 5 narcotic, the lowest level in Thailand’s narcotic ranking system. This meant that while possession and use were technically illegal, enforcement was lax, and arrests were uncommon.
Significant changes have occurred in recent years. In 2021, the Thai government decriminalized kratom, allowing its use and cultivation once again. This move was part of broader drug policy reforms aimed at reducing the burden on the criminal justice system and recognizing kratom’s potential medicinal benefits.
Implications of the FDA’s Decision
The FDA’s decision to increase the allowable daily dose of mitragynine has several implications:
- Economic Boost for Farmers: Kratom farmers in Thailand stand to benefit significantly from this change. With higher allowable doses, the demand for kratom leaves is likely to increase, providing farmers with better income opportunities.
- Growth of the Kratom Industry: The new regulation is expected to spur growth in the kratom industry, attracting more investment and innovation in kratom-based products. This could lead to the development of new dietary supplements and medicinal products.
3. Public Health Considerations: While the increase in allowable mitragynine is a positive step for the industry, it also raises public health considerations. Authorities will need to monitor the market to ensure that products remain safe for consumption and that there is no misuse or overconsumption.
4. International Trade: Thailand’s move could influence kratom regulations in other countries. As Thailand becomes a more significant player in the global kratom market, other nations may look to its regulatory framework as a model.
Kratom remains an integral part of Thai culture, especially in rural areas where traditional practices are still prevalent. The FDA’s decision marks a significant step in the evolving landscape of kratom regulation in Thailand.