Is Kratom Legal in Illinois?

Kratom legality has been contested in Illinois for the past decade.

In 2014, there was a proposed bill to ban kratom in Illinois. This bill aimed to classify kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance, placing it in the same category as drugs like heroin and LSD. However, this bill did not pass, and kratom remained legal.

In May 2017, Illinois passed the Kratom Control Act, which regulated the manufacture, distribution, and possession of kratom products. This act required kratom vendors to register with the state and adhere to certain labeling requirements. It also prohibited the sale of kratom to individuals under 18 years of age.

In January 2021, Illinois introduced the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), which aimed to establish regulations for the sale of kratom products. The KCPA required kratom vendors to adhere to certain quality control standards, such as testing for contaminants and ensuring accurate labeling. It also prohibited the sale of adulterated or contaminated kratom products. This bill failed to pass.

In 2023, two Kratom Consumer Protection Act bills were introduced into both the Illinois house and senate. Both bills failed to pass.

Kratom remains legal in the state of Illinois, but is banned in certain towns.

    Jerseyville: Jerseyville was one of the first towns in Illinois to ban kratom. In 2017, the city council passed an ordinance prohibiting the possession, sale, and distribution of kratom within city limits.
    Alton: Alton, located near Jerseyville, also implemented a ban on kratom around the same time as Jerseyville.
    Edwardsville: Edwardsville is another Illinois town that has restricted the sale of kratom within its jurisdiction. The city council passed an ordinance regulating the sale and distribution of kratom products.
    Glen Carbon: Glen Carbon, a neighboring town to Edwardsville, has implemented similar restrictions on the sale of kratom.
    Antioch: In 2023, The Antioch Village Board voted to prohibit those with liquor and tobacco licenses from selling kratom and Delta-8 THC products.

A 2019 attempt to ban kratom in Naperville, IL, a town on the outskirts of Chicago, failed after backlash from kratom legality advocates.