The current legality of kratom remains a gray area for a lot of people. While in general kratom is currently legal in the U.S., there are some specific things to know. The most important thing to know is that while kratom is federally legal or if kratom is illegal in your state, there are many states that have banned its use, or are in the process of taking actions to regulate or ban it.
States where kratom is banned or may be banned include:
- Alabama: As of May 10, 2016, kratom is a Schedule 1 controlled substance in Alabama.
- Arkansas: Kratom was added to the controlled substance list in Arkansas in February 2016.
- California: Kratom is legal in California, except in San Diego, because of the passing of a local ordinance.
- Florida: The use of kratom is legal in Florida, except in Sarasota County.
- Illinois: Kratom is legal in Illinois, except in Jerseyville, and the sale of kratom to minors under the age of 18 is banned.
- Indiana: This is a state that defines kratom as a synthetic drug and it is banned.
- New Hampshire: Kratom use is legal in New Hampshire for people who are 18 and above.
- Tennessee: In Tennessee kratom is defined as a controlled substance and is banned.
- Wisconsin: In Wisconsin the primary alkaloids present in kratom are classified as Schedule I and as a result are banned.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration continues to debate whether or not kratom should be legal. There are calls for it to be made illegal because it has psychoactive properties and the potential to become addictive, but proponents say it could be the key to battling the nation’s opioid epidemic.