Weekly Kratom Updates: Natural Kratom vs. 7-OH
The biggest U.S. kratom story is this: states are moving faster than the federal government, and the policy split is widening between natural leaf kratom regulation and synthetic/concentrated 7-OH crackdowns.
Biggest updates
1. Tennessee is moving to a full kratom ban on July 1, 2026. 😡😡😡
Tennessee’s “Matthew Davenport’s Law” creates felony penalties for possession, sale, manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to sell kratom. The Tennessee General Assembly summary lists possession as a Class D felony and sale/manufacture/delivery as more serious felony conduct, with enhanced penalties involving minors.
2. California is actively treating kratom and 7-OH consumable products as illegal.
California announced a 95% compliance rate after a statewide campaign, saying more than 3,300 kratom and 7-OH products were removed from shelves in three weeks. The Governor’s office also stated CDPH had seized more than $5 million worth of kratom and 7-OH products under the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
3. Rhode Island reversed course and opened a regulated kratom market. 😁😁😁
Effective April 1, 2026, Rhode Island now allows licensed sale and manufacture of kratom products. The state requires licensing, age 21+, behind-the-counter access, labeling/packaging standards, and products from licensed manufacturers and retailers.
4. Minnesota raised kratom age restrictions to 21.
Minnesota HF 3453 passed and was approved on May 5, 2026, establishing the legal age to possess kratom at 21 or older.
5. CDC data is driving more concern nationally.
A CDC MMWR report published in March 2026 found kratom-related poison center exposure reports increased about 1,200% from 2015 to 2025, rising from 258 reports in 2015 to 3,434 in 2025. The CDC report also notes that high-potency alkaloid extracts have raised safety concerns.
6. Federal FDA position remains unfavorable toward kratom generally, but 7-OH remains the hotter target.
FDA still states kratom is not lawfully marketed in the U.S. as a drug, dietary supplement, or food additive, and warns consumers about risks including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder. Separately, the FDA’s 2025 push targeted 7-OH specifically, saying it was seeking restriction of 7-OH products while not focusing that action on natural kratom leaf products.
7. Texas remains important but currently more mixed.
Texas already regulates kratom under prior law, including restrictions on synthetic or unnaturally high 7-OH products. A stricter 2025 bill, SB 1868, proposed heavier regulation and criminal penalties, but tracking sources show it died in June 2025 rather than becoming law. Texas enforcement attention is still active around allegedly illegal synthetic/high-7-OH products, including reported lawsuits against North Texas shops.
What this means for ETHA
ETHA continues to actively support clean separation from synthetic/concentrated 7-OH, plus consistent messaging: whole-leaf, tested, COAs, proper labeling, full transparency, support for science and continued education.
