Kratom ban proposals continue to emerge in multiple states, underscoring the need for coordinated and proactive advocacy. Stay informed with the latest legislative updates—watch the most recent Kratom Industry Call Here.  

Kratom Industry Legislative & Regulatory Update 

 

Ohio Regulatory Developments

There is a critical opportunity to expand participation in the Ohio Board of Pharmacy’s comment process, including robust input from consumers. The Board appears to be conflating the Common Sense Initiative business-impact review with general public comment, creating procedural concerns in how the rulemaking was initiated. This makes it essential to mobilize consumers to submit comments ahead of the January 28 deadline,  to ensure their voices are on record. Please share this link with your Ohio customers. 

Connecticut – Scheduling Rule at Final Stage 

 

Connecticut has advanced its kratom scheduling regulation to the Legislative Regulation Review Committee (LRRC), the final procedural step before the rule is formally adopted. The LRRC is scheduled to consider the matter at its February 24 meeting.

Current advocacy efforts are focused on encouraging consumers and businesses to urge the committee to either reject the rule, carve out natural kratom leaf products, or defer action until the Legislature has an opportunity to fully review and address the issue during the 2026 session.

 

 A direct ask for the committee: 

 

“Please do not act on kratom scheduling regulation until the statute to exempt natural kratom leaf products is appropriately changed.” 

 

The Committee Members’ email addresses can be found here. 

 

California Legislative Update

In California, efforts continue to address the Department of Public Health’s rulemaking language, while parallel developments are unfolding in the Legislature. This week, the Legislature held a hearing on bill  SB 758sponsored by Senator Umberg that initially proposed a ban on synthetic 7-OH products. The bill was amended prior to the hearing to instead make the sale of 7-OH a misdemeanor offense.

While this amendment is disappointing, it may improve the bill’s likelihood of passage. Importantly, the revised language also reflects legislative intent to distinguish between natural mitragynine and synthetic 7-OH products, implicitly recognizing that natural kratom products remain lawful. Although the distinction is not as clear as desired, there may be opportunities to further amend the bill to clarify this intent.

Even if additional amendments are not adopted, the bill provides a legislative record that can be used to push back against overly broad interpretations and enforcement actions. Advocacy efforts will continue to focus on strengthening the statutory language and protecting lawful kratom products in California.

 

Utah Legislative Update

In Utah,  kratom ban bill SB 45 is being advanced by Senator Mike McKell, and advocacy efforts are now fully mobilized to oppose it. The bill is based on information that contains significant misstatements and inaccuracies, particularly regarding the safety profile and legal status of natural kratom products. These claims do not reflect the available science or the distinction between natural kratom and synthetic substances.

In response, a coordinated pushback effort is launching in the coming days, including targeted social media outreach and direct engagement with legislators. This effort will clearly and respectfully identify where the bill’s supporting claims are inaccurate or misleading, with the goal of ensuring lawmakers have access to correct, evidence-based information before moving forward.

Exclusive Invitation: Join the Historic Thailand-USA Kratom Leadership Summit

As Kratom Industry Council Leaders, You have been invited to attend a historic Thailand-USA Kratom Leadership Summit in Bangkok, January 25-27, 2026.  

This summit represents a pivotal moment in the global kratom industry: the first high-level collaboration between Thai government authorities, TIKTA, and the American Kratom Association (AKA) to establish a secure, transparent, and quality-assured supply chain while advancing scientific research and regulatory alignment between Thailand and the United States. 

Why This Summit Matters: 

 Thailand, as the world’s only nation with a fully legalized and regulated kratom value chain under the Kratom Act B.E. 2565 (2022), is uniquely positioned to partner with the U.S. market—the largest and most dynamic consumer base for kratom products. Together, through this summit, we aim to: 

 - Create a “Farm-to-Bottle” traceable supply chain meeting GACP, GMP PIC/S, and ISO/IEC 17025 standards—aligned with U.S. FDA expectations. 

 - Facilitate clinical research collaborations to validate kratom’s therapeutic potential in pain management, opioid cessation, and metabolic health.  

- Support AKA’s efforts to lift FDA Import Alert 66-41 by demonstrating a government-vetted, responsible Thai supply chain. 

 - Build a strategic botanical alliance that stabilizes the market, protects consumers, and promotes natural alternatives over synthetics.  

Your participation as an industry leader is crucial to shaping this future. This is an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with Thai government officials, witness state-of-the-art cultivation and manufacturing facilities, and contribute to discussions that will influence policy and trade for years to come. Limited in-person slots are still available.

Please read the full letter for in-person registration information, Zoom participation information, and summit itinerary.