Kratom legality by state.
Medically reviewed by Editorial Team · Updated April 2026 · Quarterly legal review
Direct answer
Kratom is federally legal in the United States, but regulated state-by-state. 6 states ban kratom outright (Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin). 5 states have passed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Oklahoma, Utah). 5 states have city or county bans despite statewide legality. The remaining states are legal for adults with age requirements varying between 18 and 21.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
The six banned states — what that actually means
In a banned state, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are scheduled alongside opioids, stimulants, and psychedelics. Simple possession is typically a felony. Online vendors block shipments to these state addresses. Transit with kratom across state lines is an offense even if purchased legally elsewhere. The American Kratom Association has active repeal campaigns in all six; Wisconsin is the most likely near-term change (AB-184 passed the Assembly in 2025).
Alabama
Schedule I — possession illegal
Kratom is a Schedule I controlled substance in Alabama. Possession and sale are illegal. Banned since 2016.
Full penalties + history →Arkansas
Schedule I — possession illegal
Kratom is a Schedule I controlled substance in Arkansas. Possession and sale are illegal. Banned since 2016.
Full penalties + history →Indiana
Schedule I — possession illegal
Kratom is a Schedule I controlled substance in Indiana. Possession and sale are illegal. Banned since 2014.
Full penalties + history →Rhode Island
Schedule I — possession illegal
Kratom is a Schedule I controlled substance in Rhode Island. Possession and sale are illegal.
Full penalties + history →Vermont
Schedule I — possession illegal
Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are controlled substances in Vermont, making kratom effectively banned.
Full penalties + history →Wisconsin
Schedule I — possession illegal
Kratom alkaloids (mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine) are controlled substances in Wisconsin — kratom is effectively banned.
Full penalties + history →The Kratom Consumer Protection Act, explained
The KCPA is a model state law promoted by the American Kratom Association since 2018. It's a regulatory middle path between full prohibition and no rules at all — accepting that kratom will be sold and focusing on making sure what's sold is lab-tested, properly labeled, and kept out of minors' hands.
Typical KCPA provisions:
- Minimum age (18 or 21) for purchase, with retailer age-verification requirements.
- Mandatory labeling of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine content per serving.
- Purity thresholds for heavy metals, pathogens (Salmonella, E. coli), and adulterants.
- Cap on 7-hydroxymitragynine (typically 2% of total alkaloid content) to distinguish leaf-based products from concentrated 7-OH tablets.
- Registration requirement for kratom processors, with civil penalties for non-compliance.
- Prohibition on marketing designed to appeal to minors (cartoon packaging, fruit-flavored gummies marketed alongside children's candy).
Five states have enacted KCPA laws as of April 2026: Arizona (2019), Georgia (2019), Nevada (2019), Oklahoma (2021), Utah (2019, age raised to 21 in 2023). Texas, California, Wisconsin, and several other states have active KCPA bills in 2025-2026 sessions.
States with city-level bans
These states have no statewide restriction but specific cities or counties have passed local prohibitions. The most notable: Denver (CO), San Diego (CA), and Sarasota County (FL). Always check your specific locality before buying.
Federal enforcement watch · July 2025
7-hydroxymitragynine scheduling is the live federal risk.
In July 2025, the FDA announced intent to seek DEA scheduling of concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine products (sold as Hydroxie, 7 OHMZ, 7 Tabz, 7-Star, and similar branded tablets). These products isolate or concentrate 7-OH — a minor kratom alkaloid present at ~0.01% in raw leaf — to levels materially higher than any natural concentration.
Leaf kratom and mitragynine-forward extracts (OPMS Gold, MIT 45 Gold, Club 13 Rise) are not the target of the announced action. A 7-OH-specific schedule would primarily affect the 2022-onward wave of brands built on concentrated-alkaloid tablets.
Timeline is uncertain. DEA scheduling usually takes 12-24 months from FDA recommendation. Expect possible action in late 2026 or 2027.
Timeline
FDA 7-OH enforcement history
Full chronological record of FDA actions on kratom alkaloids, 2012–present.
Read the timeline →Legality FAQ
Is kratom legal in the United States? +
Yes at the federal level — kratom is not scheduled by the DEA and is not illegal under federal law. Six states ban it, five have Kratom Consumer Protection Act frameworks, and several have city-level restrictions despite state legality. The rest are legal for adults with varying age requirements.
Which states ban kratom? +
Six: Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin. All scheduled mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (the two main kratom alkaloids) as controlled substances between 2014 and 2017.
What is the Kratom Consumer Protection Act? +
A model state law promoted by the American Kratom Association. Typical KCPA provisions: minimum age 18 or 21; required labeling of mitragynine content per serving; contaminant purity thresholds; prohibition on marketing to minors; registration requirement for processors. Five states have enacted KCPA laws: Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Oklahoma, Utah.
Can I be arrested for kratom in a banned state? +
Yes. In Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, and Wisconsin, simple possession of any kratom product can carry felony charges. Rhode Island and Vermont enforce at retail more than individual-possession level, but the risk exists. Do not transport kratom through banned states.
Is 7-hydroxymitragynine scheduled federally? +
Not as of April 2026, but the FDA has announced intent to seek DEA scheduling of concentrated 7-OH products. The timeline is uncertain; some action may come in late 2026 or 2027. Leaf kratom and mitragynine-forward extracts would be unaffected by a 7-OH-specific schedule.
Are kratom extracts (OPMS, MIT 45) legal where leaf is legal? +
Yes in all legal states. Extracts are a subset of kratom products, not a separately regulated category. Exception: a few KCPA states (notably Oklahoma) have stricter labeling for extracts vs leaf.
Can I ship kratom between states? +
Yes if both origin and destination are legal states. Reputable vendors (AKA-GMP certified) will decline orders to banned states at checkout. Interstate kratom commerce is federally legal because kratom is not a federal controlled substance.
What happens if I travel through a banned state with kratom? +
Possession in the banned state is an offense under state law, regardless of where the kratom was purchased. Police stops that detect kratom (powder, capsules, extract bottles) can result in charges. Route around banned states when transporting kratom.
Can cities ban kratom even if the state is legal? +
Yes — this is called a "restricted" state in our classification. California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, and a few others have city or county bans despite state-level legality. Check the local-ordinance section on each state page.
How often does kratom legality change? +
Kratom legality is actively contested in 8-10 state legislatures each session. Repeal bills in banned states, KCPA proposals in legal states, and local ordinances in restricted states all move through legislative bodies every year. Check our last-reviewed dates; we update this tracker quarterly.
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