Is Kratom Legal in Missouri?

Kratom, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, has been the subject of legal scrutiny and debate across the United States. In Missouri, the journey of kratom's legal status reflects a broader national conversation about its benefits and potential risks.

Significant kratom legislation in Missouri began in 2020. Introduced on January 8, 2020 by Senator Robert Onder [R], SB765 would have added kratom to Missouri's list of Schedule I Controlled Substances. Kratom would have become just as illegal as heroin. Kratom consumers would have been criminalized. This bill died in committee.

Representative Phil Christofanelli [R] introduced more sensible legislation in the Missouri House in August 2020. HB2061 would require a revision of the "Clean Missouri" amendment to regulate Kratom. The bill passed in the House Committee but ultimately failed to pass.

The bill was known as the Missouri Kratom Consumer Protection Act and, among other things, it would establish label requirements for sellers to disclose all ingredients present in their Kratom products; ban the distribution of Kratom products containing synthetic alkaloids or other illegal substances; ensure the content of 7-hydroxymitragynine is not higher than 2%; ban the sale of Kratom to people under 18; and establish punishments for those who don’t comply with the regulations of this Act.

Christofanelli again introduced the Kratom Consumer Protection Act in 2022 (HB1667). This time it came with a sister bill in the Missouri Senate, SB774, sponsored by Senator Thomas Rehder. HB1667 passed both the House and Senate, but was vetoed by Governor Asa Hutchinson [R].

Once again in 2023, Christofanelli tried to introduce another KCPA, this time in the form of HB912. Though it had a Senate companion bill in SB504, both bills died in committee instead of making it to the governor's desk.

Therefore kratom remains legal and unregulated in the state of Missouri.