In a historic move, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has signed The Rhode Island Kratom Act. Kratom will be legalized and regulated in Rhode Island.
Kratom has been illegal in the state since 2017. The new act takes effect on April 1, 2026.
“This marks the first time in U.S. history that a state has reversed a kratom ban — a monumental milestone for the entire kratom community,” said the American Kratom Association in a Reddit post.
The act also prohibits the sale of adulterated kratom or kratom prepared for vaporization or injection. Kratom will be illegal to sell to those under the age of 21. Strict label requirements are also outlined in the bill.
Rhode Island’s kratom ban traces back to May 2017, when the state’s Department of Health added mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine to the state’s Schedule I Controlled Substances list. This happened without public hearings, legislative debate, or advance notice.
The ban came shortly after the DEA’s 2016 announcement of a federal kratom ban, which was later withdrawn due to public backlash. Rhode Island, however, proceeded independently, citing concerns about kratom’s psychoactive effects and its similarity to opioids. The Department of Health labeled it a public health risk, despite the lack of overdose data or a formal legislative process.
A similar bill was presented and vetoed in 2024. Gov. McKee noted in his 2024 veto letter the lack of adequate funding in the bill to implement and enforce the regulations, the opposition to kratom legalization by the Departments of Health and Revenue and the attorney general’s office, and the lack of clarity on the regulatory power. Lawmakers worked for a year along with the governor to compromise and craft a new bill that addressed both the governor’s and department concerns.
Kratom advocates celebrated the Rhode Island legalization on social media. Long-time advocate known as “Keith Kratom Legal” Tweeted:
Congratulations to RHODE ISLAND. YOU DID IT! The KCPA was signed into law. Enjoy your Kratom. Long time coming to #KeepKratomLegal. Prayers do get answered. Let’s flip the rest @TheKratomAssn. THANK YOU FOR THE TIRELESS EFFORTS & to the Governor for signing. This is HISTORICAL!