Several states are taking legal steps to mitigate kratom consumption across the country.
The drug, derived from a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, contains more than 50 alkaloids in its leaves, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH. The latter comprises less than 2% of the total alkaloid content in natural kratom leaves.
Concentrated and sometimes synthetic derivatives of the kratom plant, such as 7-OH, can be five to 50 times more potent than regular kratom. 7-OH is a highly potent, opioid-like compound commonly sold in smoke shops and vape stores. In 2025, the FDA recommended that consumers avoid 7-OH products.
The legislative decisions come as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration moved in July to temporarily place 7-OH and three related substances into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
Here are three to know:
1. Massachusetts is moving to restrict kratom sales statewide after Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD, issued an emergency order temporarily placing all forms of the substance into Schedule I under Massachusetts law.
The restriction will take effect following a 14-day notice period and remain in effect for up to one year, according to an Aug. 13 news release from Gov. Maura Healey. The order will provide local boards of health and other municipal officials with additional authority to take enforcement action against retailers selling kratom products.
The Department of Public Health is also issuing guidance to local boards of health, healthcare providers and substance use treatment programs on the restrictions, health risks and available treatment and recovery services.
2. North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong issued an executive order barring the sale, use and possession of all kratom and kratom products in the state, effective Aug. 5. The products were previously unregulated, with no minimum age for purchase.
The executive order declared a public health emergency involving kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, according to an Aug. 3 news release.
Separately, the North Dakota Board of Pharmacy issued an emergency rule classifying 7-OH as a Schedule I controlled substance. The rule is valid for 180 days.
3. Minnesota raised the legal age to purchase kratom from 18 to 21, marking the state’s first major law regulating the substance. The law took effect Aug. 1.
The law aims to address concerns over increasingly potent, chemically altered kratom products, including those containing 7-OH, a concentrated compound with opioid-like effects.
The American Kratom Association supported the new age restrictions. The group’s senior fellow on public policy, Mac Haddow, said consumers should avoid products that lack clear ingredient labels and serving size recommendations. He attributed safety concerns to highly concentrated products containing 7-OH.
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