What is kratom?
Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia.
The principle active ingredient in kratom is mitragynine, a weak, partial opioid.
In the body, mitragynine is metabolized to 7-hydroxymitragynine, a more potent opioid.
At low doses, kratom is a stimulant. But as the dose increases, kratom’s opioid effects predominate. People use kratom for pain relief, relaxation, increased energy, anxiety or depression, opioid withdrawal, and to get high.
Kratom is less likely to cause overdose death than conventional opioids, but it can cause physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and addiction.
Kratom, an opioid, is sold over the counter
Despite these dangers, kratom products are sold over the counter in convenience stores, gas stations, vape shops, and online.
In many states, kids can walk in and buy kratom with no problem.
Kratom products are getting stronger. A traditional dose of kratom contains about 50 mg of mitragynine. Now you can buy kratom extracts with 1000 mg of mitragynine in a tablespoon-sized vial.
The CDC recently reported that kratom-related poison center exposure reports increased approximately 1,200% between 2015 and 2025.
Kratom derivatives and the DEA
Scientists have developed potent opioid derivatives from kratom alkaloids.
In August 2026, the DEA temporarily placed three kratom-related synthetic opioids into Schedule I. In October, it proposed additional controls on concentrated 7-OH and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl.
Sadly, these actions do not prohibit kratom leaf or mitragynine itself.
We’ve already lived through an opioid epidemic
Since 1999, more than 800,000 Americans have died from opioid overdoses.
Many of us have lost children, parents, siblings, and friends.
The epidemic began with widespread prescribing and availability of opioid pain medications. The United States should have learned from that experience.
Yet another opioid-containing product is now widely available without a prescription.
Kratom is no longer an obscure botanical product. Sales in the United States have skyrocketed. According to the American Kratom Association, the number of users has risen from 3-5 million in 2016 to 24 million in 2026.
CONCLUSION
KRATOM IS AN OPIOID.
KRATOM IS ADDICTIVE.
WE CAN’T ALLOW OVER THE COUNTER OPIOIDS.
BAN KRATOM NOW.
STATE AND FEDERAL POLICYMAKERS ARE TAKING ACTION
STATES
Ten states have enacted prohibitions covering all kratom products: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
California separately prohibits commercial sales of kratom products intended for human consumption.
Kentucky has enacted a prohibition on commercial kratom sales that will take effect July 1, 2027.
CONGRESS
In March 2026, eight U.S. senators called for federal action addressing the entire kratom plant, rather than focusing exclusively on 7-OH.
FED UP! will continue tracking federal and state developments.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
On October 30, six national law enforcement organizations sent a letter to DEA Administrator Terrance Cole and Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle requesting that they use their emergency authority to place all kratom products in Schedule I.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
1. Follow state legislation.
Additional kratom prohibition bills may be introduced during the 2027 legislative sessions. We’ll keep you informed about developments and opportunities to contact your state legislators.
2. Follow federal action.
We’ll provide updates on federal proposals and opportunities for public participation.
LEARN MORE ABOUT KRATOM
1. Watch the recording of the second kratom webinar presented by Shatterproof, Partnership to End Addiction, and FED UP!.
Dan Busch, FED UP! Chair, presents our position on kratom from 2:35 to 10:20 of the recording.
2. TWO UPCOMING FED UP! SPONSORED WEBINARS
1. Thursday, November 12, 2026 — 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Kratom: Treatment Considerations, Emerging Policy, and What’s Next
The third webinar in the series presented by Shatterproof, Partnership to End Addiction, and FED UP!.
Register for the November 12 webinar
- Thursday, November 19, 2026 — 11:00 a.m. Eastern
Kratom 101: What You Need to Know
Presented by Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, FED UP!, and collaborating organizations.
Register for the November 19 webinar