As a Kava grower, one of the most frequently asked questions is “What is the legal status of Kava?” Fortunately, the answer is much simpler now than it was in the very recent past:

In the early 2000s, the demand for Kava increased dramatically as it began to make its way into the mainstream. For many years, it was also prescribed in parts of Europe to treat anxiety; something that the pharmaceutical companies were surely realizing. Shortly thereafter, reports of liver damage began to emerge from a handful of people in Europe. Unfortunately, doctors were quick to blame Kava, and soon entire countries banned this historically safe and effective herbal supplement. Three of those countries included the United States, Canada and Germany. Others quickly followed suit, and kava’s legal status was suddenly in serious jeopardy.

But, the health industry fought back with a vengeance. Leading that fight was the International Kava Executive Council (I bet you didn’t even know they existed). Despite being outgunned by governments, drug companies, and the media, the herbal industry was able to provide more than enough evidence that the ban was unquestionably unjustified. Furthermore, IKEC demonstrated that the conclusions reached should never have been reached in the first place, as it became clear that Kava was nothing more than a convenient scapegoat for reported liver damage. While the evidence was being presented, several independent labs and universities were also conducting ongoing behind-the-scenes research, in part because a global ban on kava kava could be devastating to several economies in Oceania.

Fortunately, within a short span of time, several key pieces of evidence emerged. Perhaps the most notable came from the University of Hawaii, as reported by the Honolulu Advertiser in early 2003. It turns out that there is a poison in Kava leaves and husks (bark) called pipermethystine. And, unsurprisingly, this poison could cause liver damage.

So what is the connection?

It turns out that once the demand for Kava skyrocketed, there was not enough Kava root to meet the demand. The vendors then knowingly or unknowingly purchased the leaves and husks of the Kava plants (the parts that are always thrown away as waste material) from unscrupulous growers. Until that time, the only parts of the Kava plant traditionally used throughout its 3,000-year history were the roots; never the husks or the leaves. On a related note: further research revealed that the handful of people who suffered liver damage also consumed alcohol on a regular basis, restoring Kava’s place in the herbal medicine cabinet as a safe, effective, and enjoyable herbal supplement.

Or so it seemed. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done. Countries began lifting their bans on Kava starting in 2003, but kava was now synonymous with “but causes liver damage.” Nothing could be further from the truth, but the media had done its job, and restoring Kava’s reputation has been an uphill battle ever since.

So where do we stand on the question of “kava’s legal status”? Fortunately for many, the United States lifted its ban entirely, Canada lifted its ban on Kava if imported by individuals for personal consumption, and even Germany, where much of the original controversy arose, lifted its ban on Kava in 2007. Except for a In a handful of countries like Norway, Australia, and Sweden, Kava is legal worldwide once again! Health Canada even gave permission to export Kava to Canada, as long as it was for private individuals only.

Now that’s an exciting win for Kava!

Kava Kava can now be legally enjoyed again by almost anyone in the world, and consumers can take comfort in the fact that in over 3,000 years of use and many billions of kava drinks consumed, there has not been a single reported incident of kava. liver damage from any product made solely from the roots of the plant. Always check local laws to be sure of Kava’s legal status, but as of this writing, feel free to enjoy the many benefits of this ancient plant.