Is Kava Legal in Colorado? Laws, Age & FAQs
Is kava legal in Colorado? Yes. A clear, up-to-date look at kava's legal status in Colorado and the U.S., age rules, and where to buy and drink it.
Yes, kava is legal in Colorado and throughout the United States. Kava is not a controlled substance at the federal level, and there is no Colorado state law banning it. It is sold and served openly in kava bars, lounges, and stores across the state, including here in Colorado Springs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates kava as a dietary supplement and food ingredient rather than as a drug. As always, this is general information, not legal advice, and you should enjoy kava responsibly.
Is kava legal in the United States?
Yes. Kava is legal at the federal level in the U.S. It is not listed as a controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Instead, kava is treated as a botanical that can be sold as a dietary supplement, food, or beverage ingredient under FDA oversight.
It is worth knowing the history. In the early 2000s, some countries placed restrictions on kava over liver-safety concerns tied to certain extracts. Many of those restrictions were later eased or lifted as the science was re-examined, and traditional water-based kava has a long record of safe, responsible use. In the U.S., kava has remained legal to buy and consume. For responsible-use guidance, see our guide on whether kava is safe.
Is kava legal in Colorado specifically?
Yes. Colorado has no state law prohibiting kava. That is why kava bars and lounges operate openly across the state. You can legally:
- Buy kava at kava bars, specialty shops, and online retailers that ship to Colorado.
- Drink kava at a kava bar or lounge.
- Take kava home in the form of to-go drinks, extracts, powders, and other products.
Kava Works serves kava at two Colorado Springs locations and offers a range of to-go products, all fully legal in the state. See the menu.
Is kava the same as kratom?
This trips a lot of people up. Kava and kratom are completely different plants with different legal pictures.
- Kava (Piper methysticum) is a South Pacific pepper relative. It is legal in Colorado and federally, with no statewide ban.
- Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a Southeast Asian tree in the coffee family. It is legal federally but with a patchwork of state and local rules, and some Colorado municipalities have enacted their own kratom regulations, such as age restrictions.
If you are specifically asking about kratom laws, check your local city and county rules, because they vary. For the full breakdown, read our guide on kava versus kratom. The rest of this page is about kava.
Is there an age limit for kava in Colorado?
While kava itself is not restricted by a statewide minimum-age law the way alcohol is, reputable kava bars treat it as an adult-only beverage and require you to be 18 or older. Kava Works requires a valid ID and serves guests 18 and over. Expect to be carded.
Can you drive after drinking kava in Colorado?
Kava is legal and does not impair you the way alcohol does, but use common sense. If you have had a modest amount of kava on its own and feel clear, many people are fine to drive. If you feel notably relaxed or drowsy, wait. And never drive if you have combined kava with alcohol or any other substance.
Where can you legally buy and drink kava in Colorado Springs?
Right here. Kava Works serves kava legally at two Colorado Springs locations: North on Academy Boulevard and Downtown on Pikes Peak Avenue. Both are open seven days a week with nightly happy hour, and both offer to-go kava products. New to kava? Start with what is kava or our kava for beginners guide.
The bottom line
Kava is legal to buy, sell, and drink in Colorado and across the U.S. It is regulated as a dietary supplement and food ingredient rather than a controlled substance, reputable venues serve it to adults 18 and over, and it is enjoyed responsibly at kava bars statewide. Do not confuse it with kratom, which has different and more varied rules.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws can change; verify current requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is kava legal in Colorado?
Yes. Kava is legal in Colorado. There is no state law banning it, and it is sold and served openly in kava bars and shops across the state, including in Colorado Springs.
Is kava legal in the United States?
Yes. Kava is legal federally in the U.S. It is not a controlled substance; the FDA regulates it as a dietary supplement and food ingredient rather than a drug.
Do you have to be 21 to drink kava?
Kava is not restricted by a statewide minimum-age law like alcohol, but reputable kava bars serve it as an adult beverage and require guests to be 18 or older with valid ID. Kava Works requires a valid ID and serves guests 18 and over.
Is kava the same as kratom, and is kratom legal in Colorado?
No, kava and kratom are different plants. Kava is legal statewide in Colorado. Kratom is legal federally but is regulated differently, with some Colorado cities and counties enacting their own rules, so check local regulations for kratom.