Is Kratom Legal in Your State? 2026 Guide

The quick answer

As of October 2026, natural kratom is still legal in most of the U.S., but 2026 changed more kratom laws than any year before it. Kratom is now banned statewide in 10 states, California prohibits selling it for consumption, and the federal government made concentrated 7-OH products illegal nationwide.

Kratom laws are changing fast, so this guide lists the date each change took effect. We check it regularly, and you should always confirm the rules where you live before you order.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Kratom is not approved by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. For adults 21 and over only.

Federal law: the new 7-OH rule

Natural kratom leaf is not a federally controlled substance. Concentrated and synthetic 7-OH products are.

In July 2026 the DEA announced it would temporarily place 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) above a set threshold, plus three related compounds (mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15 and MGM-16), into Schedule I. The order took effect on August 25, 2026 and lasts two years, with a possible one-year extension.

What this means for you:

Natural kratom powder and capsules with naturally occurring 7-OH below the threshold are not covered by the federal order.
7-OH tablets, shots and other concentrated or synthetic 7-OH products are now illegal to sell or possess anywhere in the U.S.
MGM-15 and MGM-16 products are covered at any concentration.

Kratom Herbs has never sold 7-OH products. DEA announcement

States where kratom is banned

In these 10 states, kratom is a controlled substance. Buying, selling or possessing it is illegal, and we do not ship there.

State	Banned since	Notes
Massachusetts	August 28, 2026	Emergency Schedule I order; can last until August 28, 2027
Kansas	July 1, 2026	House Bill 2365
Tennessee	July 1, 2026	"Matthew Davenport's Law" (HB 1649); possession is a misdemeanor, sale a felony
Connecticut	March 25, 2026	Leaf, stem and extracts are Schedule I
Louisiana	August 1, 2025	Act 41 (SB 154)
Alabama	2016	Schedule I
Wisconsin	2014	Schedule I
Arkansas	Long-standing	Kratom alkaloids are controlled substances
Indiana	Long-standing	Kratom alkaloids treated as synthetic drugs
Vermont	Long-standing	Kratom's main alkaloids are banned

States with special rules

These states have not fully banned kratom, but their rules changed in 2025 or 2026 and affect what you can buy.

State	Status as of October 2026	Details
California	Illegal to sell for consumption	The Department of Public Health says kratom and 7-OH products cannot be made or sold for consumption and has seized products statewide
North Dakota	Temporarily banned	A September 2026 law bans synthetic kratom and will allow regulated natural kratom for adults 21+, but kratom stays banned until the state finishes setting up those rules
Kentucky	Legal for 21+ until July 1, 2027	A 2026 law bans kratom sales starting July 1, 2027; a manufacturer filed a lawsuit challenging it in June 2026
Ohio	Natural leaf only	Since May 19, 2026, only natural leaf and plain leaf powder are legal; extracts, shots, seltzers and edibles are prohibited
Rhode Island	Legal and licensed	The first state to lift a ban; the Rhode Island Kratom Act took effect April 1, 2026, with licensing and age limits
Michigan	Legal, ban pending	A ban bill (HB 5537) passed the House in March 2026 and was in a Senate committee at our last check
Washington, D.C.	Unclear	Published sources disagree; check local rules before ordering

Regulated states and local bans

Many states keep kratom legal for adults under a Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). These laws usually set a minimum age (often 21), require clear labels, and ban adulterated or synthetic products.

States with KCPA-style laws include Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia. Age limits and labeling rules differ by state. KCPA overview · New York law

In every other state not listed in this guide, kratom is legal with no kratom-specific state law.

City and county bans: some local governments ban kratom even where state law allows it. Known local bans include San Diego (California), Sarasota County (Florida), Denver (Colorado), Jerseyville (Illinois) and Union County (Mississippi). Local bans list Check your city and county rules before ordering.

Frequently asked questions

Is kratom federally legal? Natural kratom leaf is not federally scheduled. Concentrated and synthetic 7-OH, plus MGM-15 and MGM-16, have been Schedule I since August 25, 2026.

Which states banned kratom in 2026? Connecticut (March), Kansas and Tennessee (July) and Massachusetts (August, by emergency order). North Dakota also has a temporary ban while it sets up new rules.

Did any state lift a ban? Yes. Rhode Island replaced its ban with a licensing law that took effect April 1, 2026.

Can I travel with kratom? Only through states where it's legal. Carrying kratom into a state that bans it can lead to criminal charges, even if it was legal where you bought it.

Will Kratom Herbs ship to my state? We do not ship to states or localities where kratom is banned. If you're unsure, contact us before ordering.