IS KRATOM LEGAL IN KANSAS?

Mitragyna Speciosa, better known as kratom, can be a polarizing topic. Several states and local jurisdictions have imposed their own kratom bans throughout the US, so users need to understand local kratom laws before trying kratom for themselves.

So for the Sunflower State, we ask: Is kratom legal in Kansas?

Yes, kratom is legal in Kansas, but the natural botanical’s future in the state wasn’t always clear.

Let’s dive in and learn all about the history of kratom in Kansas and about the stakes of kratom legality for all Kansas residents.

Current Legality of Kratom in Kansas

Kratom is legal throughout all of Kansas. None of Kansas’s cities or counties have imposed local kratom bans, so users are free to enjoy kratom wherever they may roam in the state.

But Kansas kratom hasn’t been free of controversy. The story of the Kansas kratom ban is a reminder for users across the US of the need to remain vigilant, share their experiences with kratom, and help advocacy groups like the American Kratom Association in their work to bring kratom awareness to the masses.

The 2018 Kansas Kratom Ban

In 2018, the future of Kansas kratom legality was under threat. At that time, a bill was proposed that would reclassify kratom, placing it on the controlled substance list and preventing Kansas residents from buying or using kratom in the state.

Thankfully, Kansas residents stepped-up to protect access to kratom in their state.

As is so often the case, the American Kratom Association (AKA) led a campaign to raise awareness and defeat the proposed legislation.

Local Advocacy Saves Kansas Kratom

Partnered with the Botanical Education Alliance (BEA), the AKA helped local residents to organize, share their experiences with kratom, and bring greater awareness to the many benefits that kratom can provide.

By collecting testimonials, encouraging users to email their state lawmakers, and shining the spotlight on all things kratom, these efforts helped legislators to change their minds and remove kratom from the revised list.

Some of Kansas’s lawmakers were still dead set on restricting access to kratom. However, the group was ultimately convinced by users’ heartfelt first-hand accounts, the AKA’s presented evidence, and the general consensus that there was no conclusive evidence that would justify an outright kratom ban.

As a result, Kansas was removed from the proposed bill prior to its passage in May 2018.

The Future of Kansas Kratom

The story of the 2018 Kansas kratom ban is an inspiring one, and it’s a reminder of the power of sharing your voice. But there’s still no guarantee for kratom’s future in Kansas — or elsewhere in the United States.

Thankfully, Kansas has joined the ranks of states considering the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). This important piece of legislation would help ensure that users have access to safe, natural kratom for years to come. In part, the KCPA would:

• Ban the sale of any kratom product mixed with other dangerous or outlawed substances
• Restrict the sale of kratom to users above a specified age
• Impose strict quality standards on kratom manufacturers and their products
• Mandate quality and purity testing for all kratom products prior to sale

Kansas is still considering the KCPA, but it has made some progress toward its passage. In January of 2021, a new bill was introduced that would enact many of the KCPA’s requirements, but it’s still uncertain how those efforts will pan out.

Regardless of how Kansas’s proposed law goes, one thing’s clear: users like you have the power to make a difference.

By advocating for kratom, educating your community about its uses, and supporting groups like the AKA, users like you can help ensure that safe, legal kratom is available to all for years to come.

Which States Have Banned Kratom?

Kratom is legal throughout all of Kansas, but not all states are so lucky. Several states have imposed their own kratom bans.

Currently, the states that have outright banned kratom are as follows:

• Alabama classified kratom’s primary alkaloids, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxy-mitragynine, as Schedule I narcotics in May 2016. This likens kratom to substances like ecstasy and heroin, an unjust misclassification.
• Arkansas banned kratom in February of 2016. In 2017, state medical examiners incorrectly stated that kratom’s alkaloids are derived from opium. It is unlikely we’ll see the Arkansas kratom ban lifted soon.
• Indiana outlawed kratom in 2014 but incorrectly listed the botanical as a synthetic cannabinoid. The legislature later amended their language, classifying kratom as a hallucinogenic substance, another misclassification.
• Rhode Island banned kratom’s alkaloids in 2017. Due to public outcry in other states, Rhode Island’s ban occurred in secret, confusing both residents and law officials. The state will vote on a measure to reverse the ban on September 1st, 2021.
• Vermont banned kratom’s alkaloids in 2016, but they were improperly classified as “synthetic drugs.” In January of 2020, lawmakers filed a bill to decriminalize kratom products, but kratom’s future is still uncertain in the state.
• Wisconsin banned kratom’s alkaloids in 2014, incorrectly associating kratom with both synthetic cannabinoids and hallucinogenic drugs. In 2019, lawmakers held informational meetings with the American Kratom Association (AKA), a step in the right direction.

In addition, several states have imposed restrictions o kratom. Even more, some states’ counties have imposed their own local bans. These states include California, Illinois, and New Hampshire.

For the rest of the United States, kratom remains a safe, legal, and accessible option for users to buy kratom at their convenience and to take control of their health and wellness.