Texas Senate Bill 1868 Sparks Controversy Over Kratom Regulation
A bill currently making its way through the Texas Senate could drastically alter the availability of kratom products in the state, restricting all forms except raw leaf products. Senate Bill 1868 proposes sweeping changes, banning widely used kratom extract shots and prepared beverages while imposing stringent limits on the amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine—an alkaloid present in kratom—allowing no more than 0.1% in products, far below the typical 2% threshold. Some industry advocates argue this level could effectively ban even plain leaf kratom.
In addition to product restrictions, SB1868 mandates rigorous laboratory testing within Texas, forbidding synthetic ingredients in kratom products, and raising the legal age for purchase to 21. The bill also amends the Texas Controlled Substances Act, placing kratom’s primary alkaloids on the controlled substances list—except within kratom leaf products. It further adds tianeptine and other substances to the controlled category.
Industry watchdogs and advocacy groups are sounding the alarm. The Global Kratom Coalition and the American Kratom Association, two nonprofit organizations with financial backing from competing kratom businesses, have voiced strong opposition to the legislation. In a Twitter post, the Global Kratom Coalition claimed, “A limit of 0.1% [7-hydroxymitragynine] is an effective ban on all kratom products including dried kratom leaf.” Meanwhile, the American Kratom Association has urged its followers to call Texas lawmakers, arguing the bill will severely restrict access by barring kratom sales in establishments that also sell tobacco, vape products, hemp, and alcohol.
The regulation of kratom extracts has been an ongoing debate. Critics argue that the marketing of concentrated kratom products has led to uninformed consumption, raising concerns about safety. While supporters of SB1868 believe the bill ensures consumer protection, opponents contend it represents an indirect prohibition.
At this time, SB1868 is not listed on the Texas Senate’s intent calendar, leaving its fate uncertain. However, if brought to a vote, it could redefine kratom’s accessibility for Texans. With stakeholders fiercely divided, the bill’s progression remains one to watch.