Home / Health / States Rush to Ban Kratom Amid Federal Delays
States Rush to Ban Kratom Amid Federal Delays
14 Aug
Summary
- Massachusetts enacted an emergency order banning all kratom forms.
- North Dakota banned sale, use, and possession of all kratom products.
- Federal action targets only one kratom chemical, not the plant.
Several U.S. states are taking aggressive action to ban kratom, a substance also referred to as "gas station heroin," moving faster than federal regulators. On August 13, 2026, Massachusetts issued a temporary emergency order placing all forms of kratom under Schedule I, the strictest state control, and empowering local health boards to act against retailers. This follows North Dakota's August 5, 2026, declaration of a public health emergency banning all kratom products statewide. The state's governor has called a special legislative session to codify these restrictions.
Prior to these actions, Florida enacted an emergency rule in June 2026, placing concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine and related compounds under Schedule I, limiting their presence in products. In contrast, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced on July 1, 2026, its intention to place only 7-hydroxymitragynine and three related substances into Schedule I temporarily. The kratom plant itself is not covered by federal plans, provided its 7-hydroxymitragynine content remains below specified limits. Health experts attribute seizures, dependence, and hundreds of overdose deaths in Florida since 2013 to these products, emphasizing concerns about their marketing and potential dangers to users of all ages.
