Last reviewed: October 27, 2026. Kratom laws change quickly — confirm current rules with official state sources before buying, carrying or traveling with kratom. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Short answer: Yes — kratom is legal in North Carolina and is not a controlled substance. North Carolina has not adopted a Kratom Consumer Protection Act or a statewide ban. A 2026 bill that would regulate kratom and ban synthetic kratom products is still unresolved.
Current North Carolina law
North Carolina has no comprehensive state law governing kratom. There is no state labeling standard or 7-OH limit specific to kratom. A Kratom Consumer Protection Act bill (House Bill 468) has been stalled in committee since 2025.
HB 328: the hemp and kratom bill
House Bill 328 began as a bill to regulate hemp-derived consumables and grew to include kratom. The final negotiated version would:
- Define and regulate kratom in state law for the first time.
- Prohibit synthetic kratom products, including concentrated 7-OH, while keeping natural leaf legal for adults.
- Add xylazine to the state’s controlled substances schedule and make other drug-law updates.
The state Senate approved the final version in July 2026, but the House did not take it up before leaving in August, so it has not been sent to the governor. House leaders said they would study the issue, and the bill could return in a later session. Governor Josh Stein has criticized the kratom provisions, arguing that they would effectively legalize kratom without meaningful age restrictions.
Practical guidance
- Because there is no state age limit, individual stores set their own policies.
- Concentrated 7-OH products face federal action: three related synthetic compounds became temporary Schedule I substances in August 2026, and an order on 7-OH itself is pending. See Kratom vs. 7-OH.
- Tennessee, on North Carolina’s western border, has banned kratom since July 1, 2026. Do not carry kratom into Tennessee.
Frequently asked questions
Is kratom legal in North Carolina?
Yes. Kratom is not a controlled substance in North Carolina, and there is currently no statewide kratom ban.
Is there a kratom age limit in North Carolina?
There is no kratom-specific state age limit in effect as of October 2026. Stores may set their own policies.
Is North Carolina banning 7-OH?
HB 328 would prohibit synthetic kratom products, including concentrated 7-OH, but it had not become law as of this update.
Kratom laws in other states: Florida · Texas · California · New York · Pennsylvania · Ohio · Georgia · Tennessee · Michigan
Stay current: see the Kratom Law Tracker for every recent change.
Related: Kratom laws in all 50 states · Kratom vs. 7-OH · The Kratom Consumer Protection Act
Sources
- Carolina Journal: NC House leaves hemp ban unresolved
- NC Newsline: Gov. Stein voices reservations about hemp bill
- NC General Assembly: HB 468 Regulate Kratom Products (bill summary)
Kratom Universe publishes independent educational information. Nothing on this site is medical or legal advice. Kratom is not approved by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk with a healthcare provider before using kratom, and check your state and local laws. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, call SAMHSA’s free, confidential National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
