The Evolving Kratom Policy Landscape Rockefeller Institute of Government

The Evolving Kratom Policy Landscape Rockefeller Institute of Government

Federal regulators have been scrutinizing kratom for about a decade after reports of addiction, injury and overdose. U.S. health officials are warning Americans about the risks of an opioid-related ingredient increasingly added to energy drinks, gummies and supplements sold at gas stations and convenience stores, recommending a nationwide ban. We do not ship kratom to locations where it is banned.

Opia Blue Raspberry Mitragynine Tablets 150mg, 4 tablets

The FDA "demonstrated the exact kind of data-driven, proactive regulatory excellence needed to safeguard unwitting consumers across the U.S.,” said Ryan Niddel of Diversified Botanics, a Utah-based company that sells kratom supplements. The agency’s recommendation will be reviewed by the Drug Enforcement Administration, which sets federal rules for high-risk drugs including prescription medicines and illicit substances. “7-OH is an opioid that can be more potent than morphine," said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. "We need regulation and public education to prevent another wave of the opioid epidemic.” Testimonials on this website are not intended as claims that our products can be used to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.

What is Kratom, Kava, & 7-Hydroxymitragynine?

A CBD and kratom dispensary is pictured in New York City. In 2025, 60% of cases involving multiple substances resulted in "serious medical outcomes," and about half required hospitalization. Over the 10-year period, more than 14,400 kratom exposures were reported. To better understand the trend, UVA Health researchers led by Rita Farah, PhD, MPH, PharmD, analyzed kratom-related calls reported to the National Poison Data System. Because the products are not regulated, consumers cannot be sure what they are taking. Traditionally, people have used the leaves by chewing them, crushing them, or brewing them into tea for pain relief and mood enhancement.

How addictive is kratom?

According to the FDA and published medical studies, serious side effects may include severe liver damage, fast heart rate or arrhythmias, high blood pressure, tremors and seizures. "It's also important to keep in mind that the type of kratom that they use, that the FDA used for the purposes of their study, may not be the same type of source that other companies are using." Researchers found botanical kratom was well tolerated at several doses with no serious adverse events. Cardiologist Dr. Jennifer Miao says whether it's natural or synthetic, they're metabolized the same way in the body once ingested.

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• Doctors and nurses also call the Utah Poison Control Center for help to treat kratom withdrawal—just like they would for oxycodone or heroin.
• Sometimes referred to collectively as “gas station heroin,” the drugs have been restricted by several states, but they are not scheduled at the federal level.
• But Tennessee legislators sided with caution this week, aligning with advocates who argue kratom in any form can ultimately lead to addiction and potentially deadly overdoses.
• All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners.
• The FDA and HHS announced a call to action against 7-OH products in a press conference on Tuesday, where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. described its growing availability and the weight of addiction on the American people.

“It can be especially risky when mixed with other substances or used in high doses, like we have seen in the drink ‘Feel Free,’” Volpicelli noted. Several states — including Alabama, Rhode Island and Wisconsin — have banned its sale and possession outright. “Similar to a sedative at higher doses, it also provides pain relief and euphoria.” Users chew the leaves, brew them into tea or take it in powder, capsule or extract form, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The coalition supports putting federal regulations on 7-OH so it can provide a legal framework for local governments, Lowe said. Side effects related to the nervous system include hallucinations, delusions, depression, confusion and trouble breathing. VR Kratom The ban comes after similar ordinances approved in Newport Beach, San Diego and Oceanside, among other cities. Kratom is derived from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia, and is commonly made into a powder or pill.