WEEKLY KRATOM UPDATES

Key 2025–2026 Updates:

  • Federal Action on 7-OH: In July 2025, the FDA recommended the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classify 7-OH under the Controlled Substances Act, citing it as a dangerous, high-potency derivative. The FDA has also begun seizing large quantities of 7-OH products.
  • State-Level Crackdowns:
    • Ohio: Governor DeWine is pursuing emergency rules to ban all synthetic kratom compounds and is moving to schedule natural kratom as an illegal drug, following data linking it to hundreds of deaths.
    • California: The state declared 7-OH and kratom products illegal for sale in many contexts, launching a crackdown in early 2026.
    • Kansas City, MO: Passed a comprehensive ban on synthetic 7-OH and restricted natural kratom to those 21 and older, effective early 2026.
    • Idaho: Proposed legislation (Feb 2026) aims to prohibit adulterated or synthetic enhanced kratom products.
    • Tennessee & Georgia: Considering stricter bans that would classify all forms of kratom as illegal.
  • Controversy and Legal Status: As of early 2026, 24 states and D.C. have some form of regulation, with 6 states (AL, AR, IN, LA, VT, WI) banning it entirely.
  • Texas Lawsuit: In February 2026, Texas sued a retailer for selling products with 7-OH levels nearly 50 times higher than the state's legal limit.
  • Industry Response: The American Kratom Association (AKA) and other groups argue that a ban on natural kratom would cut off a safe, therapeutic alternative for people, while supporting the regulation or banning of highly concentrated 7-OH extracts.
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