Delaware Lawmakers Tackle Unregulated Kratom

Delaware is actively addressing the sale and preparation of kratom, a substance linked to addiction and significant health risks. Two bills are progressing through the state legislature. One measure, sponsored by Representative Melanie Ross Levin, proposes implementing safeguards such as age restrictions and packaging regulations for kratom products. This bill successfully passed the House on June 16, 2026, and awaits Senate consideration.

Concurrently, a separate bill championed by Senator Kyra Hoffner aims for a complete ban on kratom sales and distribution within Delaware. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that kratom contains ingredients with addictive properties similar to morphine, though it is not a controlled substance nationally.

Kratom, derived from a Southeast Asian tree, is marketed for various ailments like pain and mental health conditions. However, officials warn of stimulant and opioid-like symptoms, seizures, liver toxicity, and even death associated with its use. Senator Hoffner emphasized the danger, stating, "you're risking your life taking it."

Representative Ross Levin's bill, however, focuses on establishing basic safety rules, clear labeling, and youth protection, while still permitting adult access. Her bill is currently with the Senate Health & Social Services Committee, while Senator Hoffner's bill has not yet been heard by the same committee.