Pick up a package of kratom in your local head shop, and what information is on it? If you live somewhere that regulates kratom, there will probably be a label of some sort describing the ingredients. If not, you’ll most likely end up with a ziplock bag of green powder and a printed sticker with the company’s logo on it.

Does the label also give you an expiration date? What about the exact percentages of the alkaloids? The source of the kratom? Do you know how many people handled it (or mishandled it) before it got to the store? How long has it been sitting there?

Could you come across the same thing in an online store? Yes, but it’s far less likely. Not only do online vendors have more competition — and therefore more reason to step up their game — but it’s easy to “walk” away if things seem off. You literally back out of the website and go to another one. There are a ton of other places to shop. Promise.

This ties in with the previous section, but we’d hate for you to skim over this pertinent bit of information, so we’ll make it stand out.

It might seem better to see the product in person, but unless there are third-party lab results posted right on it, you don’t know what you’re holding. Products certified by the American Kratom Association are another valid option.

Most online vendors have this information available to customers. Physical stores can’t verify the quality. Even if the kratom was tested before it was packaged, there’s no guarantee something didn’t happen to it en route.

Maybe that sounds wrong, but it isn’t. If you consider the overhead costs that physical stores have — things like utilities, rent, etc. — and factor in all of the hands the products pass through, it’s easy to see how that local shop will be much more expensive than an online one.

Most of the time, you’ll also save money by buying in bulk online or by taking advantage of special discounts and free shipping. Local stores usually can’t afford to offer these types of incentives.

This one is obvious. There’s no way even the biggest shop could carry all of the strains and different products you’ll find online. You have access to the wide world of kratom — take advantage of it! Don’t limit yourself to the meager selection down the street.

Again, this is obvious to almost everyone except for the few that avoid technology. You know the type — they still go to the bank to deposit checks and hate texting. Nothing wrong with it, but they won’t like shopping online, either.

For everyone else, online is the way to go. Everyone is busy, and no one wants to waste time driving around. It’s much easier to lay in bed and browse inventory, making comparisons.

As we mentioned, third-party tests keep you from buying and using kratom that might not be kratom. It’s common for reliable vendors to post the test results online, or at least make them available upon request.

If you’re shopping in a physical store, ask questions. If they don’t have answers or if it seems like kratom is just another product that’s filling their shelves, they probably aren’t taking proper care of it. Kratom loses potency fairly quickly, and certain conditions speed up its decay, even causing it to get moldy. Stick with stores that know what they’re selling.

Even if there isn’t a huge selection of strains, make sure what they do have meets your needs. Kratom is categorized into three main colors — green, white, and red — though you’ll also find yellow or gold and even black. It will help if you do some research before buying or find a place that can help you, though we’ll explain a little about each further down.

Besides the testing, look for reviews of the company and the products. This can be tricky since sketchy places can put up fake reviews or take bad ones down. Plus, a shortage of reviews doesn’t necessarily mean the place is bad. You have to use the reviews along with the other pieces, like a puzzle, and trust your gut.

Kratom prices fluctuate, just like anything else. Some strains are harder to find, jacking the cost up, while others are run-of-the-mill and cheap everywhere. The type of product you buy will influence the price, too. Powder is your least expensive option, while capsules are almost always much pricier. Compare prices between a few places and you’ll quickly get an idea of what’s average. Stay away from kratom that’s marked much higher than other places. There should be a ballpark range that most kratom falls into.

The AKA is one of the only advocates kratom users have. This non-profit organization goes to great lengths to educate the public about kratom’s benefits, along with heavy involvement in legislation across the US. Anywhere you see the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) or similar bills, the AKA was likely behind it.

Besides this, kratom vendors can become certified by submitting samples annually for examination. These companies and their products must meet certain standards (Good Manufacturing Practices). For high-quality kratom, look for the AKA label or certification when shopping.