Is Mitragynine legal in Malaysia?
- Legal status
- Mitragynine, the principal alkaloid of kratom, is the named controlled entity in Malaysia: mitragynine is listed as a poison in the First and Third Schedules of the Poisons Act 1952 (since the 2003 amendment), so processing, possession, sale, import or export of ketum is caught via the alkaloid (Poisons Act s.30, up to 4 years/RM10,000) — controlled together with the plant, though the living tree itself is legal to grow. As a Poisons Act substance (not on the Dangerous Drugs Act First Schedule), it is not death-eligible.
- Consequences if caught
- Processing, possession, sale, import or export of ketum draws Poisons Act s.30 penalties — a fine up to RM10,000 and/or up to 4 years; it sits outside the Dangerous Drugs Act capital regime.
- If prescribed or medical
- No lawful consumer medical route — mitragynine is a scheduled poison; the living tree may be grown but the leaf may not be processed or used.
- Documentation
- No lawful personal-import route for ketum/mitragynine as a Poisons Act substance.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Malaysia’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
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