Last reviewed: October 27, 2026. Kratom laws change quickly — always confirm current rules with your state legislature or attorney general’s office before buying, carrying or traveling with kratom.
Is kratom legal? The short answer: natural kratom leaf is legal under federal law, but legality depends on your state — and sometimes your city or county. A handful of states ban it outright, a growing number regulate it with age limits and labeling rules, and several have moved in 2025–2026 to restrict concentrated 7-OH products specifically.
This guide explains where kratom stands federally, which states ban it, how regulated states work, and what changed most recently.
Federal status: what the DEA and FDA have done
Kratom itself is not listed under the federal Controlled Substances Act. The DEA moved to schedule kratom’s main alkaloids in 2016 but withdrew that proposal after public comment and pressure from Congress.
The federal focus has since shifted to concentrated and synthetic compounds:
- July 2025: The FDA recommended that 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) be controlled and sent warning letters to companies selling 7-OH products.
- July 1, 2026: The DEA filed notices of intent to temporarily place 7-OH (above a set concentration) and three related compounds into Schedule I.
- August 26, 2026: A temporary order took effect placing three synthetic compounds — mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MP), MGM-15 and MGM-16 — in Schedule I through August 2028.
- October 2026: The DEA reissued its 7-OH notice with a revised concentration threshold. As of this update, the 7-OH order itself has not been finalized.
Federal agencies have stated that these actions target concentrated and synthetic products, not botanical kratom leaf with naturally occurring 7-OH below the threshold. For a fuller explanation, see Kratom vs. 7-OH: Why the Difference Matters.
States where kratom is banned
These states treat kratom (or its main alkaloids) as a controlled substance, meaning possession and sale are illegal:
| State | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Banned | Long-standing ban since 2016. |
| Arkansas | Banned | Listed as a controlled substance. |
| Indiana | Banned | Alkaloids listed as synthetic drugs. |
| Vermont | Banned | Regulated drug since 2016. |
| Wisconsin | Banned | Alkaloids scheduled since 2014. |
| Louisiana | Banned | Schedule I effective August 1, 2025. |
| Connecticut | Banned | Schedule I effective March 25, 2026. |
| Kansas | Banned | Schedule I effective July 1, 2026. |
| Tennessee | Banned | “Matthew Davenport’s Law” (HB 1649), effective July 1, 2026. Possession is a Class A misdemeanor; sale is a Class C felony. |
| Massachusetts | Banned (emergency) | Temporary Schedule 1 placement under 105 CMR 726, effective August 28, 2026, for up to one year. |
| Washington, D.C. | Banned | Prohibited in the District. |
Bans are actively being debated in other states. Michigan’s House passed a full ban (HB 5537) in March 2026, which was pending in the Senate as of this update. California’s Department of Public Health has said food and dietary supplements containing kratom or 7-OH cannot legally be sold or manufactured in the state, while a separate bill (AB 1088) to regulate kratom remains pending. Some states that ban kratom, such as Louisiana, have considered narrowing their bans to cover only 7-OH products. Check the current law before relying on this list.
Rhode Island: the first state to reverse a ban
Rhode Island banned kratom in 2017. Under the Rhode Island Kratom Act, which took effect April 1, 2026, it became the first state to reverse that ban and replace it with a licensing system. Sales are limited to adults 21 and older, products must be kept behind the counter, and the law caps the amount of 7-OH a product can contain — effectively excluding concentrated 7-OH products.
States that regulate kratom
Many states have adopted a version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) or similar laws. Rather than banning kratom, these laws typically:
- Set a minimum purchase age (usually 18 or 21).
- Require labels listing ingredients and alkaloid content.
- Ban adulterated products and products mixed with other drugs.
- Limit how much 7-OH a product can contain, or ban synthetic 7-OH outright.
States that have passed KCPA-style laws include Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Utah, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas and Colorado, among others. Georgia, Florida and New York now set the minimum age at 21. Several states have also acted against concentrated or synthetic 7-OH while leaving leaf kratom legal: Florida schedules concentrated 7-OH by emergency rule, and Ohio has made extracts, blended products and synthetic 7-OH illegal while allowing natural leaf. Pennsylvania’s House passed a regulation bill (HB 2657) in October 2026 that was pending in the state Senate as of this update.
Local bans: check your city and county
Even where kratom is legal statewide, local governments can prohibit it. Sarasota County, Florida, for example, has banned kratom since 2014 despite Florida’s statewide regulation, and many cities and counties in other states have their own ordinances. If you are unsure, your city or county clerk’s office can tell you whether a local ordinance applies.
Traveling with kratom
Because laws stop at state lines, carrying kratom from a state where it is legal into one where it is banned can mean a possession charge. That applies to road trips and to packages shipped to an address in a ban state. Airline and international rules are separate again — many countries treat kratom as a controlled drug.
Frequently asked questions
Is kratom federally illegal now?
No. As of October 2026, natural kratom leaf is not federally scheduled. Three synthetic 7-OH-related compounds are temporarily Schedule I, and a separate action on concentrated 7-OH is pending.
Which state most recently banned kratom?
Massachusetts placed kratom in Schedule 1 by emergency regulation effective August 28, 2026. Kansas and Tennessee bans took effect July 1, 2026, following Connecticut in March 2026 and Louisiana in August 2025.
Is 7-OH legal where kratom is legal?
Not necessarily. A growing number of states ban or cap 7-OH even while allowing leaf kratom. See Kratom vs. 7-OH.
Can I get in trouble for having kratom in a ban state?
Yes. In states that schedule kratom, possession is a criminal offense. Penalties vary by state.
This article is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
Sources
- DEA: DEA to Temporarily Schedule 7-OH and Related Substances (July 1, 2026)
- Federal Register: Temporary Placement of 7-Hydroxymitragynine Above a Specified Threshold (2026-13580)
- Federal Register: Temporary Placement of Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15 and MGM-16 (2026-13581)
- Congressional Research Service: Temporary Control of 7-OH and Other Kratom-Related Substances
- FDA: FDA Takes Steps to Restrict 7-OH Opioid Products (July 2025)
- Louisiana Department of Revenue: New Penalties for Kratom in Effect Aug. 1, 2025
- Connecticut: Kratom Designated a Schedule I Controlled Substance, Effective March 25, 2026
- Kansas Hospital Association: Kratom Ban to Take Effect July 1, 2026
- Rhode Island General Laws, Chapter 21-28.12: The Rhode Island Kratom Act
- Metro Nashville: Tennessee Kratom Ban Effective July 1, 2026
- Mass.gov: Kratom (105 CMR 726 emergency regulation)
- Ohio Board of Pharmacy: Sale and Possession of Kratom in Ohio
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.
