The Battle Over Kratom: States and Feds Intensify Scrutiny on the Divisive Herb

Kratom, the botanical sensation hailed by some as a miracle remedy and condemned by others as a dangerous drug, finds itself increasingly at the epicenter of a fierce regulatory storm. As August 2025 unfolds, both state legislatures and federal agencies are escalating their efforts to either control, restrict, or outright ban this controversial plant, pushing its future into an uncertain balance.

Originating from Southeast Asia, Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) contains compounds like mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which interact with opioid receptors in the brain.

For centuries, it has been traditionally used for pain relief, energy boosts, and even to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms. In the Western world, it has gained a fervent following, particularly among those seeking alternatives for chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and a path away from more potent opioids.

However, this burgeoning popularity has been met with growing alarm from public health officials.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has consistently issued strong warnings against kratom, stating it has no approved medical uses and carries significant risks. The agency has cited concerns over its addictive potential, severe withdrawal symptoms, and the possibility of serious health consequences, including liver damage, seizures, and even death, especially when mixed with other substances.

The FDA has also highlighted a pervasive issue of product contamination with heavy metals and salmonella, along with inconsistent potency due to a complete lack of manufacturing standards.

While the FDA lacks the authority to ban kratom outright without congressional action, it has maintained import alerts and advised consumers against its use.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) previously considered classifying kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance, placing it alongside heroin and LSD, but deferred the decision after widespread public outcry, opting instead for a public comment period and further scientific review. This federal indecision has left a patchwork of regulations across the United nation.

In the absence of clear federal guidelines, individual states have stepped into the breach, creating a complex legal landscape.

Some states have enacted outright bans, criminalizing the sale and possession of kratom. Others have chosen a more moderate path, implementing the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) or similar legislation. These acts typically establish age restrictions, mandate labeling requirements, and set manufacturing standards to ensure product purity and potency, aiming to strike a balance between consumer access and public safety.

Yet, even in states with KCPA-like laws, debates rage about their effectiveness and the appropriate level of oversight.

Advocacy groups, such as the American Kratom Association (AKA), vehemently oppose bans and argue for responsible regulation. They contend that a complete prohibition would push kratom into an unregulated black market, increasing risks for consumers, and deny access to a plant that many users credit with improving their quality of life or helping them escape opioid addiction.

They advocate for more robust scientific research and consistent, federal-level quality control measures rather than outright bans.

As the legal and scientific battles continue, the future of kratom remains contentious. The intensifying scrutiny from both state and federal entities signals a critical juncture for the botanical.

Whether it will ultimately be embraced as a beneficial, regulated supplement or cast out as a dangerous drug will depend on the evolving science, the persistence of advocacy, and the careful navigation of complex public health concerns.