Why is kratom banned?
James Olson
Updated on May 08, 2026
Considering this, why is kratom banned in some states?
Federal officials have said they are concerned that kratom can be abused because of its opioid-like effects. It's now illegal in six states and the District of Columbia, and it's been on the DEA's list of drugs and chemicals of concern for several years.
Likewise, will Kratom become illegal? Kratom is illegal in six states, Washington, D.C., and several cities, according to the American Kratom Association. The FDA has approved no uses for kratom, and the agency says it has received concerning reports about its safety, including claims of deaths.
Consequently, will kratom be banned 2019?
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommended a ban on the chemicals in kratom. In April 2019, the FDA issued a warning against the use of kratom, stating that it affects the same opioid receptors as morphine and could expose users to risk of addiction, abuse and dependence.
Why is kratom not FDA approved?
Kratom is not legally marketed in the United States as a drug or dietary supplement, and while it is important to gather more evidence, data suggest that certain substances in kratom have opioid properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse and dependence.