In Louisiana, a controversial bill aimed at banning kratom is rapidly advancing through the legislative process, despite opposition from scientists and longtime kratom users. On April 29, the state’s Senate Judiciary Committee voted to move Senate Bill 154 forward, marking a significant step toward potential criminalization of the botanical substance. SB154, introduced by State Senator …
In a significant shift in Mississippi’s ongoing debate over kratom, Governor Tate Reeves signed two bills into law this April that fundamentally alter access to the herbal supplement. While touted by proponents as a safer alternative to opioids, kratom has faced repeated legislative efforts to restrict or ban its use in the state. Stricter Controls …
Mississippi Governor Approves Kratom Regulations and 25% Excise Tax Read More »
The debate over kratom legalization in Arkansas has reached a boiling point, with advocates pushing for reform and lawmakers pushing back. The latest attempt to lift the state’s ban on kratom has failed in the House committee after initially passing the Senate with overwhelming support. The bill, known as the “Arkansas Kratom Consumer Protection Act,” …
Arkansas Kratom Debate: A Bill Rejected, A Death in Custody, and Calls for Reform Read More »
Rhode Island lawmakers are once again debating the fate of kratom, a controversial herbal substance that has been criminalized in the state since 2017. Two companion bills—H5565 in the House and S0792 in the Senate, collectively known as The Rhode Island Kratom Act—aim to legalize and regulate kratom, replacing outright prohibition with strict oversight. A …
Rhode Island’s Kratom Ban Faces Legislative Challenge Read More »
JACKSON, Miss.—A bill awaiting the signature of Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves could impose a sweeping 25% tax on kratom products statewide, sparking debate among consumers, advocates, and lawmakers. House Bill 1896, if signed into law, would levy a tax on kratom that surpasses the state’s tobacco tax by 10%. Tobacco, the leading cause of preventable …
Mississippi Governor Faces Decision on Controversial Kratom Tax Read More »
In the border towns between Alabama and Florida, a troubling pattern is emerging. Alabama law enforcement continues to aggressively arrest individuals for possession of kratom, a botanical that remains legal just across the state line. Critics argue that police tactics in these cases are questionable, with individuals facing extreme charges and draconian penalties under Alabama’s …
Alabama’s Harsh Stance on Kratom: Arrests Near Florida Border Raise Questions Read More »
NASHVILLE—A group of Republican lawmakers in the Tennessee House has signaled its intention to crack down on the controversial botanical substance known as kratom, sponsoring a resolution that suggests an outright ban or, at minimum, restrictive regulations. The measure, House Joint Resolution 147 (HJR147), has raised alarms among kratom advocates who argue that lawmakers are …
Tennessee Lawmakers Push Kratom Ban Amid Controversy Over Misinformation Read More »
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—A bipartisan effort is underway in Arkansas to legalize and regulate kratom, a plant-based substance often used for pain relief and as an alternative to opioids. If successful, the bill could overturn a decade-long ban on the substance and introduce safeguards for consumers. Senate Bill 534, co-sponsored by Democratic State Senator Greg Leding …
Arkansas Weighs Kratom Legalization Amid Calls for Reform Read More »
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is conducting a groundbreaking online study on 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a compound associated with certain kratom products. The study invites individuals who have consumed 7-OH products to participate by completing a screening process and, if eligible, an online survey about their usage patterns. As a thank-you, participants who complete …
Johns Hopkins Seeks Participants for Online Study on 7-OH Kratom Products Read More »
In 2025, the Mississippi legislature witnessed a flurry of activity surrounding kratom as policymakers grappled with its place in the state’s legal framework. Proposals ranged from stringent criminalization to consumer protection, reflecting starkly different views on kratom’s risks and benefits. However, most legislative efforts have stalled, leaving local governments to chart their own course on …
Mississippi’s Kratom Conundrum: Legislative Efforts Meet Resistance Read More »