Is Kratom Legal in Oregon?

Oregon has been in the news this year after Measure 110 was overturned, recriminalizing drug possession after 4 years of decriminalization.

Oregon's legislature also has a long history with kratom legislation.

Initially, kratom was largely unregulated in Oregon.

A 2017 attempt to direct the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy to consider kratom for the controlled substances list failed.

In 2018 a large salmonella outbreak in kratom products was linked to two companies operating out of Oregon, prompting discussion of how to regulate kratom.

The 2021 Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) in Oregon was vetoed by the governor over funding concerns. Processors of kratom would need to register with the Department of Revenue, and enforcement fees would come from these registrations. Officials were worried that the low number of processors in the state wouldn't generate enough fees to fund enforcement, despite $1.1 million being allocated from the General Fund and an additional $304,000 to Oregon’s Justice Department for enforcement duties.

The state passed another KCPA (House Bill 4010) in 2022, which regulates the sale and distribution of kratom products. Under this act, kratom processors must register with the Oregon Department of Revenue, and retailers are prohibited from selling kratom products to individuals under 21 years of age.

The regulations set forth by HB 4010 were implemented in 2023, marking a significant shift towards ensuring the safety and quality of kratom products in Oregon. The ODA began overseeing the registration of kratom processors and enforcing the new standards.