Kratom is currently illegal statewide in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Vermont, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Kansas, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Most states regulate, not outright ban. Expect KCPA-style rules like 21+ age restrictions, labeling and testing requirements, and possible potency limits.
Some states have local ordinances that prohibit sales, such as cities in CA, CO, and FL.
It’s important to know what’s covered by law. For instance, 7-OH products, which are banned in some places, aren’t the same as traditional kratom leaf. Always check which states kratom is illegal.
Update: In July 2026, the DEA announced plans to temporarily place certain high-concentration 7-OH products and related substances in Schedule I. The action does not apply to traditional botanical kratom containing naturally occurring 7-OH below the DEA’s specified threshold.
Many people wonder about the legality of kratom in the U.S. and where kratom is illegal. The short answer is that kratom is legal in many states, but there are always laws to consider and changes they may go through. To better understand kratom laws by state, let’s take a deeper dive into the situation.
Kratom is a tropical tree found abundantly in Southeast Asia and belongs to the coffee tree family. Kratom is gaining some serious popularity in the United States. The DEA proposed a ban to the government in late 2016, but when it didn’t take any effect, the whole thing was nullified, and the DEA withdrew its proposal for a ban. Now, knowing where kratom is illegal requires some research.
The relative lack of regulations has helped improve the quality of kratom coming to market. It has also caused vendors to be more accountable for the products they sell. The “Kratom Consumer Protection Act” is one project that the American Kratom Association is working on. This act will help improve the industry by addressing proper labeling, age restrictions, licenses, and fines.
Of course, it’s important to know in what few states kratom is illegal.
Arizona: At the moment, kratom has legal status in all of Arizona. But you must also know that it is not regulated, which means that the laws could also change quickly. Federal laws don’t regulate the kratom industry, and that is why each state is left with its own opinions or regulations to be built around it. Read more in our Arizona Kratom Legality Blog.
California: Legal everywhere except in San Diego and Oceanside, where kratom is illegal. However, the majority population of California can still buy the botanical product. It should be noted, however, that enforcement actions and embargoes have increased here. Read More.
Colorado: Is kratom legal in Colorado? Yes. Even though CO doesn’t make the list of “what states kratom is illegal in”, there are local bans in the towns of Monument, Parker, and Greenwood Village. This is why it’s important to know kratom laws by state AND locality. In Denver, you won’t be violating the laws of the land if you possess or sell kratom with labels that say “Not meant for human consumption.” While there are states where kratom is outright illegal, it should be noted that CO has stringent regulations (for instance, all kratom products sold in Denver should contain NO advice on its use or dosage). The labels must also list the potential health hazards associated with kratom. Read More.
Florida: This is a kratom legal state, and possession is allowed within Florida, except in Sarasota County, which passed the ordinance bill in 2014. Florida has also recently banned “7-OH” (i.e. 7-hydroxymitragynine) products, a compound derived from kratom. Read More.
Georgia: Kratom is legal in Georgia and regulated by the “Kratom Consumer Protection Act”. Though this isn’t a state where kratom is illegal, there are restrictions for people who want to buy it online. It should also be noted that recent legal changes in January 2025 have moved the purchase age up from 18 to 21. Read More.
Hawaii: Kratom is currently legal here, though there have been some attempts at regulation. When it comes to kratom laws by state, Hawaii officials seem more concerned about the risk that could be associated when driving with kratom in your system. Recent legislation attempts didn’t pass, so it’s not in the “what states kratom is illegal in” list. Read More.
Nevada: NV is not a state where kratom is illegal. On June 6, 2019, Nevada authorities enacted the KPCA for the regulation of kratom products. Any person who violates this act will be penalized for up to $1000. This law keeps kratom legal in Nevada and lessens the dangers for purchasers.
Massachusetts: Is kratom legal in Massachusetts? Yes, you will be able to use kratom in Massachusetts without any issues. You will find this herb in smoke shops, vape shops, and herbal shops in this kratom legal state. Depending on the location, you may also find it in gas stations. Read More.
Michigan: You can purchase kratom in Michigan without any issues. Back in 2014, Michigan officials tried to impose a kratom ban. However, this ban did not pass the committee. More than 1,700 signatures were collected from kratom supporters. Read More.
South Carolina: You can purchase kratom legally in South Carolina, but sales are restricted to adults 21 and over. Read more.
Texas: No restrictions here. When it comes to kratom laws by state, TX is relaxed, and you can purchase kratom products without having to look over your shoulder. Read More.
Utah: If you are 18+, you can buy kratom online, as Utah isn’t a state where kratom is illegal. Kratom users didn’t always have it easy in Utah. It almost made the “what states kratom is illegal in” list with a close-call ban in March 2017, but the bill was eventually passed after striking kratom from the list of banned substances. Two years later, on March 26, Utah lawmakers passed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), making it the first US state to officially legalize kratom. Read More.
Rhode Island: Kratom is now legal under a regulated framework following the Rhode Island Kratom Act, which took effect April 1, 2026. The law imposes licensing, age, labeling, product-composition, and other requirements, so not every kratom product is permitted for sale.
Which States Are Not Legal Kratom States?
Alabama: In 2016, kratom’s primary alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxy-mitragynine, were classified as Schedule I drugs.
Arkansas: As of February 2016, AR is one of the few states where kratom is illegal. Read More.
Connecticut: Connecticut added Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) and 7-hydroxymitragynine to Schedule I through its controlled-substance regulations. The final regulation took effect April 2, 2026, making kratom a controlled substance in the state.
Kansas: Kansas placed mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, kratom’s primary active alkaloids, in Schedule I in 2026.
Indiana: In 2014, Indiana labelled kratom as a synthetic cannabinoid. The classification was later changed, and kratom was listed as a hallucinogenic substance. Read More.
Louisiana: As of August 1, 2025, kratom is illegal in Louisiana. Unfortunately, as of August 2025, kratom is no longer legal in Louisiana. Although advocates are still fighting behind the scenes to hopefully reverse this, for the foreseeable future, it is illegal to ship or sell kratom to or within the state of Louisiana.
Massachusetts: As of August 28, 2026, Massachusetts temporarily placed all forms of kratom in Schedule I under state law. The emergency regulation restricts kratom statewide and is scheduled to remain in effect for up to one year unless it is modified or replaced. Read More.
North Dakota: The sale of all kratom products is currently prohibited while the state implements administrative rules and retailer licensing under HB 1628. Once the regulatory system is in place, natural kratom will be restricted to adults 21 and older, while synthetic kratom products will remain prohibited.
Tennessee: As of July 1, 2026, the possession, manufacture, and sale of kratom are prohibited statewide.
Vermont: It banned kratom in 2016. State law banned kratom by deeming its alkaloids synthetic drugs. In January 2020, legislators tabled a bill to reverse the ban, but for now, VT’s still a state where kratom is illegal.
Wisconsin: The herb was declared illegal in 2014. Lawmakers from Wisconsin had official discussions with the American Kratom Association to understand more about the herb. Read More.
Recent Legal Changes Affecting Kratom Laws
Rhode Island: The Rhode Island Kratom Act took effect April 1, 2026, replacing the state’s previous blanket prohibition with a regulated legal market. The law restricts certain products and requires licensing, age verification, labeling, and other safeguards.
The FDA recommended in July 2025 that states ban “7-OH” (7-hydroxymitragynine) products, which are derived from kratom. This could change kratom laws by state in the future.
2026 DEA Action on 7-OH In July 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced its intent to temporarily place 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) above a specified threshold, along with three related substances, into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. According to the DEA’s official announcement, the action is aimed at highly concentrated and synthetic 7-OH products and does not apply to botanical kratom products containing naturally occurring 7-OH below the specified threshold.This distinction is important when considering where kratom is legal. The DEA action does not establish a blanket federal ban on traditional kratom leaf. However, concentrated 7-OH products may be subject to different federal and state restrictions, so consumers should review current laws before purchasing or possessing these products.
Where to Buy Kratom Online?
When purchasing kratom, determining purity is just as important as knowing what states kratom is illegal in. To buy kratom powder and products, you can visit our kratom shop, a leading online store in the USA, selling top-quality kratom powder, premium kratom capsules, and even kratom variety packs. When you buy from Simple Botanical, rest assured that you are getting the finest kratom, as the business is a family-owned company with years of experience. We only sell where kratom is legal, and we source and provide the finest mitragyna speciosa, the leaf indigenous to Southeast Asia.
Whatever strains you’re looking for – energizing white vein kratom powder or mellow red kratom strains, or more balanced green strain kratom, yellow kratom, or gold strain kratom, we have them all. All orders above $60 are eligible for free shipping to kratom legal states, available six days a week, Monday through Saturday. When you buy from us, get a free sample of kratom on orders over $30. All buyers get a gift and stack points with our Simple Rewards program.
Now that you know more about where kratom is illegal, are you ready to make a purchase? Check out the Simple Botanical kratom store for authentic kratom products.
Please Note: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. Kratom laws change frequently at the state, county, and municipal levels. We recommend reviewing the most current local regulations or consulting a qualified attorney if you have questions about kratom legality in your area.
The Simple Botanical Team is a family-owned company dedicated to providing high-quality, all-natural Kratom products. With years of experience in sourcing premium Mitragyna speciosa, they ensure each product is lab-tested for purity and mitragynine content, reflecting their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Operating from Kansas City, Missouri, their small team of hardworking individuals maintains strict cleanliness and sanitization protocols, ensuring every order is handled with care. They strive to offer an unbeatable customer service experience, with a 100% satisfaction guarantee on every order.
