Current Events

Under Attack by Russia, Ukraine Devotes Resources to War on Kratom

Frequent large-scale Russian attacks on Ukraine are still ongoing. On a single day, March 24, 2026, critical infrastructure in multiple Ukrainian cities was attacked with 948 Russian drones. This broke a previous record for most attacks in a 24-hour period. Most of the drones were shot down by Ukrainian missiles or were disrupted by electronic …

Under Attack by Russia, Ukraine Devotes Resources to War on Kratom Read More »

Bill in Kentucky Seeks to Create “Department of Psychoactive Substances”

Kentucky Representative Alan Gentry, a Democrat from Louisville representing District 46, has introduced HB895, a bill that would create a “Department of Psychoactive Substances” that will regulate legal psychoactives like kratom and hemp byproducts. Kentucky’s HB895 shares a nearly identical regulatory philosophy with Czech Republic’s Psychomodulatory Substances program (primarily established through the Psychomodulatory Substances Act …

Bill in Kentucky Seeks to Create “Department of Psychoactive Substances” Read More »

Czech Prime Minister Threatens Kratom Ban Months After New Regulations

Kratom Science has been following a lengthy political process that has taken place to regulate kratom in the Czech Republic since 2022, when groups such as the European Kratom Alliance (EKA), the Czecho-Slovak Kratom Association (CSKA), and the Pirate Party began to push for such regulation. The Czech Republic’s progressive National Drug Policy Coordinator, Jindrich …

Czech Prime Minister Threatens Kratom Ban Months After New Regulations Read More »

Kansas Authorities Seize Kratom Shots Containing Alcohol

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABC), an agency within the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR), seized 1,006 OPMS liquid kratom extract products from 12 businesses that ABC claims contain 15.7% to 16.1% ethanol. Ethanol (the type of alcohol also found in alcoholic beverages) is used to extract alkaloids from kratom leaf to produce highly concentrated …

Kansas Authorities Seize Kratom Shots Containing Alcohol Read More »

Local Governments Crack Down on Kratom as 2026 Bans Expand

UPDATED April 10, 2026: Multiple towns added Several American towns, cities, and counties have moved to ban the sale and distribution of kratom since the beginning of 2026. Some jurisdictions in Illinois and Mississippi moved to both ban sale and possession, criminalizing kratom consumers. This comes after last year’s announcement by the Food and Drug …

Local Governments Crack Down on Kratom as 2026 Bans Expand Read More »

Conflicting Signals: Georgia HB 968 Makes Kratom’s Active Compounds Illegal While Regulating Its Sale

Georgia House Bill 968 contains language that would add kratom compounds to the list of Schedule I controlled substances, and at the same time restrict the sale of kratom to over-the-counter sales in pharmacies. One problem with this bill: It is legally impossible. Under HB 968, the pharmacy sales provision for kratom is designed to allow …

Conflicting Signals: Georgia HB 968 Makes Kratom’s Active Compounds Illegal While Regulating Its Sale Read More »

Gavin Newsom calls kratom and 7-OH “illicit and deadly”

Though no prohibition law has passed, California Governor Gavin Newsom is voicing support for the unilateral decision by his California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to declare kratom and 7-OH products illegal and confiscate them from retail shops across the state. Gov. Newsom tweeted this on Tuesday: I will not stand by while dangerous, illegal …

Gavin Newsom calls kratom and 7-OH “illicit and deadly” Read More »

Pike County is the Latest Illinois Locale to Ban Kratom

On Februrary 24, officials in Pike County, Illinois voted unanimously to ban the sale of kratom and criminalize citizens in possession of it. “I commend the local community and our state’s attorney for bringing it forward, just trying to get ahead of the situation,” said Pike County Board Chairwoman Reta Hoskin. This is the second …

Pike County is the Latest Illinois Locale to Ban Kratom Read More »

Tupelo Convenience Store Owner Appeals Kratom Ban

Mohamed Gamiel, owner of Sarah Quick Stop and Liquor Corner Store in Tupelo, MS, has filed an appeal of the town’s recent decision to ban the manufacture, sale, and possession of kratom. The appeal was filed last week in Lee County Circuit Court. Gamiel argues in his appeal that Tupelo’s kratom ban is arbitrary, unsupported …

Tupelo Convenience Store Owner Appeals Kratom Ban Read More »