May 08, 2026

Is Kratom Legal? Federal Status, State Laws & Where It’s Banned in 2024

Kratom's legal status is one of the most frequently asked questions surrounding this popular botanical. The answer is genuinely complicated: kratom exists in a regulatory gray zone at the federal level while being outright banned in some states and tightly regulated in others. This guide fromPureCraft CBDprovides a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of kratom's legal status across the United States and internationally.

Federal Legal Status of Kratom

At the federal level, kratom is currently legal in the United States. It is not classified as a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This means it can be legally purchased, possessed, and used in most parts of the country — with important state-level exceptions noted below.

The FDA has not approved kratom for any medical use and has issued warnings about its potential risks. However, these regulatory actions do not constitute a federal ban on kratom itself. View ourthird-party lab results for full product transparency.

The DEA's Involvement

The DEA made headlines in 2016 when it announced its intent to temporarily place kratom's active alkaloids into Schedule I. After over 140,000 public comments opposing the scheduling and a bipartisan group of 51 members of Congress urging reconsideration, the DEA withdrew its scheduling notice. As of now, kratom has not been federally scheduled. See our full breakdown:The Debate Over the Kratom Ban

States Where Kratom Is Banned (Fully Illegal)

State	Status	Notes
Alabama	Illegal	Scheduled as a controlled substance (mitragynine and 7-OH-mitragynine)
Arkansas	Illegal	Classified as a Schedule I controlled substance
Indiana	Illegal	Synthetic alkaloids banned; kratom falls under this designation
Rhode Island	Illegal	Scheduled controlled substance
Vermont	Illegal	Regulated as a controlled substance
Wisconsin	Illegal	Synthetic alkaloids scheduled; kratom included

States With Local Restrictions

•California:Legal statewide — but banned in the city of San Diego

•Colorado:Legal statewide — but banned for human consumption in Denver

•Mississippi:Legal statewide — but banned in some counties

•New Hampshire:Legal — but only for adults 18+, with labeling requirements

•Tennessee:Legal for adults 21+ following KCPA legislation

•Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Oklahoma:Legal with KCPA consumer protections enacted

States Where Kratom Is Fully Legal

All remaining US states — approximately 44 — have no specific kratom laws. This includes major states such as Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA)

Rather than pursuing outright bans, a growing number of states have opted to regulate kratom through the KCPA — model legislation developed by the American Kratom Association. KCPA provisions typically include:

•Minimum age requirements (18 or 21) for kratom purchase

•Mandatory labeling with ingredient disclosure and dosage information

•Prohibition on adulterants and contaminants

•Limits on synthetic alkaloid concentrations

•Penalties for vendors who sell adulterated products

International Kratom Legality

Country/Region	Status
Thailand	Re-legalized in 2021 for medicinal use; formerly banned since 1943
Malaysia	Controlled substance — illegal to process/sell (personal use tolerated in some areas)
Indonesia	Major export producer; domestic ban discussed but not enacted
Australia	Classified as a controlled substance; possession illegal without prescription
United Kingdom	Legal to possess; illegal to sell for human consumption
Germany	Legal as of recent regulatory updates
Sweden, Denmark, Finland	Controlled substance — illegal
Canada	Legal to possess; Health Canada restricts sale for human consumption

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order kratom online legally?

Yes — if you live in a state where kratom is legal, purchasing kratom online and having it shipped to your address is legal. Most reputable vendors do not ship to states where kratom is banned.

Is kratom legal to carry on a plane?

Domestically, you can fly with kratom through states where it's legal. TSA does not specifically screen for kratom. However, if your destination state bans kratom, you would be subject to that state's laws upon arrival.

Is kratom a controlled substance?

Not at the federal level. In six states (AL, AR, IN, RI, VT, WI), kratom alkaloids are classified as controlled substances under state law.

Conclusion

Kratom is federally legal in the United States but subject to a patchwork of state and local regulations. Six states currently prohibit it outright. The regulatory landscape is changing — toward greater consumer protection and standardization in most jurisdictions. AtPureCraft CBD, we are committed to full regulatory compliance and consumer transparency.