A study that polled 1,171 people in Bangkok and the surrounding areas aged 18 years and over on “Drugs and the Legalization of Kratom” concluded that a majority of people believe legalizing kratom would not reduce the number of methamphetamine abusers.
The study was carried out by the Research Center at Bangkok University and 61.1 percent of respondents do not believe that the government’s plan to take kratom off the restricted narcotics list will reduce the number of methamphetamine abusers.
The study did show that 70.5 percent think kratom is an illegal drug, with the other 29.5 percent thinking the opposite.
Using kratom for medicinal purposes was supported by 46.3 percent, and 14.6 percent think that people should be allowed to use kratom in all cases.
If legalized, 49.2 percent said growing kratom trees must strictly be for medical purposes. 38.7 percent said kratom growers must have a permit from the government and the supply must be closely regulated. 5.1 percent said kratom trees should be freely grown anywhere in the country, reported the Bangkok Post.
It also found that 52.2 percent of respondents said they felt that kratom leaves would be misused if they were removed from the restricted narcotics list. However, 47.8 percent said they would not be worried because they see it as a herbal medicine.
