Kratom, derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree native to Southeast Asia, has sparked significant debate due to its stimulant and opioid-like effects. In the United States, its legal status varies by state and locality, creating a complex landscape for consumers, vendors, and advocates.
After an 87-6 vote in the House and easy passage in the Senate, Governor Jeff Landry signed Senate Bill 154 on June 4 2025. The measure makes it a crime to possess, sell, or distribute kratom anywhere in the state beginning August 1 2025, affecting an estimated 300,000 regular users and thousands of retailers who now have only weeks to clear their shelves.
Lawmakers point to a sharp rise in kratom-linked deaths, from eight in 2018 to 53 in 2021, and a tide of wrongful-death lawsuits as proof that tougher action was needed. Under the new law, possession of less than 20 g carries a 100-dollar fine, while larger amounts or any attempt to distribute the herb can bring jail terms of up to five years and fines as high as 50,000 dollars.
For consumers, travelers, and business owners, the clock is ticking. Smoke-shop owners are already pulling products by July 31, and anyone still relying on kratom for pain relief or opioid withdrawal will need to explore legal alternatives before enforcement begins. The rest of this guide breaks down the new penalties, explains how Louisiana’s rules compare with neighboring states and outlines what advocates are doing to challenge or adapt to the ban.
Is Kratom Legal in Louisiana?
As of July 7, 2025, kratom is illegal in Louisiana at the state level, following the passage and enactment of Senate Bill 154 (SB 154). Signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry, this legislation, effective August 1, 2025, criminalizes the possession, distribution, sale, and use of kratom statewide. The bill classifies kratom’s primary alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, as Schedule I controlled substances under Louisiana’s Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, placing kratom alongside substances like heroin, LSD, and marijuana, which are deemed to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Louisiana Kratom Laws 2025
Penalties for Kratom Law Violations in Louisiana
The penalties for violating Louisiana’s kratom ban are significant:
- Possession of Less Than 20 Grams: A fine of up to $100.
- Possession of 20 Grams or More: Up to 6 months in jail or a fine of up to $1,000.
- Distribution or Sale: Penalties range from 1 to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to $50,000.
Penalties you should know
| Conduct | Amount possessed | Fine | Jail time |
| Making or selling | < 500 g | up to $50,000 | 1–3 years (with or without hard labor) |
| ≥ 500 g | up to $50,000 | 1–5 years (with or without hard labor) | |
| Possessing | ≤ 20 g | up to $100 | none |
| > 20 g (first offense) | up to $500 | up to 6 months parish jail | |
| > 20 g (second or later) | up to $1,000 | up to 6 months parish jail |
The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) is tasked with enforcing the ban, integrating compliance checks into regular operations starting July 1, 2025, to ensure public safety.
Local Ban of Kratom in Louisiana Preceding the Statewide Ban
Even before the statewide ban, several Louisiana parishes and municipalities had already prohibited kratom, reflecting local concerns about its safety and potential for addiction. As of 2025, the following areas had implemented bans:
- Ascension Parish: Banned kratom on August 18, 2022.
- Rapides Parish: Prohibited possession, sale, and use starting October 10, 2022.
- Grant Parish: Banned kratom on October 13, 2022.
- LaSalle Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, Union Parish, Ouachita Parish (unincorporated areas), Zachary, and Ponchatoula: Each enacted local bans, with some, like Ouachita and Zachary, implemented in late 2023 and 2024.
These local prohibitions foreshadowed the statewide ban, driven by concerns from law enforcement and coroners about kratom’s health risks, including its association with overdose deaths and addiction.
Legislative History of Kratom in Louisiana
Kratom’s legal status in Louisiana has been volatile, with multiple legislative attempts to regulate or ban it over the years. Below is a timeline of key developments:
- 2014: A bill was introduced to classify kratom’s primary alkaloids (mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl) as controlled substances. It failed to advance due to advocacy from groups like the American Kratom Association (AKA).
- 2015: A revised bill passed the Louisiana Senate but was amended to remove kratom’s alkaloids from the controlled substances list, keeping kratom legal.
- 2018: A Salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated kratom products raised public health concerns, prompting renewed scrutiny.
- 2019: The Louisiana Legislature passed a “trigger law” that would automatically classify kratom as a controlled substance if the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) listed it federally. The DEA considered scheduling kratom in 2016 but withdrew the proposal after public backlash.
- 2022-2023: Local bans proliferated in parishes like Ascension, Rapides, and Grant, driven by reports of kratom-related deaths and addiction concerns.
- 2023: Senate Bill 94, effective August 1, 2023, prohibited the sale of kratom products to individuals under 21, marking a step toward regulation rather than a full ban.
- 2025: Senate Bill 154, sponsored by State Senator Jay Morris (R-West Monroe), was passed by the Louisiana House (87-6) and Senate, criminalizing kratom possession and distribution. The bill awaits Governor Landry’s signature but is expected to take effect on August 1, 2025.
Additionally, House Bill 253 (HB 253), proposed in 2025 as an alternative to a ban, sought to regulate kratom by limiting 7-hydroxymitragynine concentrations to natural levels, requiring product registration with the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), and mandating labeling with warnings about habit-forming potential. However, this regulatory approach was overshadowed by the passage of SB 154.
Why Was Kratom Banned in Louisiana?
The push to ban kratom in Louisiana stemmed from concerns about its safety, lack of regulation, and potential for abuse, as highlighted by lawmakers, coroners, and federal agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and DEA.
Health and Safety Concerns of Kratom in Louisiana
- FDA Warnings: The FDA has labeled kratom a “drug of concern” and warned against its use due to risks of addiction, withdrawal, and overdose. Side effects include nausea, hallucinations, seizures, liver damage, and, in rare cases, death, particularly when combined with other substances.
- Coroner Reports: In October 2024, St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape issued a warning after a 36-year-old woman died from “polydrug toxicity” involving an excessive dose of kratom. This case, along with a 2024 wrongful death lawsuit filed by Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain (HKGC) for a 25-year-old man’s death in West Monroe, underscored kratom’s risks.
- Addiction and Overdose: The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes that kratom’s opioid-like effects at high doses can lead to dependency and withdrawal symptoms. Overdose symptoms mimic those of opioids, including drowsiness, respiratory depression, and confusion.
Local and Law Enforcement Perspectives
- Parish-Level Actions: Parishes like Ascension and Rapides banned kratom due to rising addiction concerns and reports of adverse effects. State Representative Gabe Firment and others argued that kratom’s availability in gas stations and smoke shops facilitated abuse.
- Legislative Arguments: Senator Jay Morris and Representative Debbie Villio (R-Kenner) championed SB 154, citing kratom as a “public health scourge” responsible for addiction and deaths. Villio referenced personal stories of loss, including the Lubrano family’s presence during legislative debates, to emphasize the human toll.
Counterarguments from Advocates
Kratom advocates, including the American Kratom Association (AKA) and users like army veteran Marlon Chouccoli, argue that kratom offers therapeutic benefits, such as pain relief and opioid withdrawal management, with minimal risks when used responsibly. They contend that:
- Regulation, like the proposed Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), would ensure product safety through Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and third-party testing, reducing risks of contamination or adulteration.
- The ban criminalizes an estimated 325,000 Louisiana users, potentially driving them to unregulated black markets or more dangerous substances like street opioids.
- Personal testimonies, such as those from Representative Peter Egan (R-Covington), highlight kratom’s role in helping individuals manage chronic pain and mental health issues without pharmaceuticals.
Despite these arguments, the Louisiana Legislature prioritized prohibition over regulation, reflecting a broader trend of caution toward unregulated substances.
Federal Context and Its Influence on Kratom in Louisiana
At the federal level, kratom remains legal but unregulated, as it is not listed under the Controlled Substances Act. The FDA considers kratom an unapproved drug and has issued warnings about products like OPMS Black Liquid Kratom, linked to at least one death. The DEA’s 2016 attempt to classify kratom as a Schedule I substance was halted due to public outcry, but it remains a “drug of concern.”
Louisiana’s 2019 trigger law tied kratom’s state legality to potential federal scheduling, which influenced local bans and the eventual passage of SB 154. The lack of federal regulation has left states like Louisiana to address kratom independently, resulting in varied approaches nationwide. For example, states like Alabama, Arkansas, and Indiana have banned kratom, while others, like Nevada and Utah, have adopted the KCPA to regulate it.
Public Sentiment and Advocacy on Kratom Ban in Louisiana
Recent posts on X reflect strong opposition to Louisiana’s kratom ban among users and advocates, who argue it disregards the needs of consumers relying on kratom for health benefits. For instance:
- Users like @MattMeaux1 expressed concern for the 325,000 Louisianans using kratom, warning of potential increases in suicides and overdoses due to the ban.
- @Kpascuch suggested the ban prioritizes prison profits over consumer safety, predicting users may turn to illegal narcotics or source kratom from neighboring states like Mississippi.
- @cofoppyplop lamented the criminalization of a “good” product, comparing users to law-abiding citizens turned into criminals overnight.
The American Kratom Association has vowed to continue advocating for regulation rather than bans, planning to lobby the Louisiana Legislature in future sessions for science-based policies.
Implications of Louisiana Kratom Ban for Consumers and Vendors
The statewide ban, effective August 1, 2025, has significant implications:
- Consumers: Individuals using kratom for pain, anxiety, or opioid withdrawal must cease use or risk legal consequences. Some may seek kratom from neighboring states or unregulated online sources, increasing risks of contaminated products.
- Vendors: Brick-and-mortar stores in cities like New Orleans, Shreveport, and Metairie, as well as online retailers like MIT45 and Happy Hippo, must halt kratom sales in Louisiana or face penalties. The ban disrupts a market where kratom was a top-selling product, second only to CBD in some shops.
- Legal Recourse: Families affected by kratom-related deaths are pursuing wrongful death lawsuits, such as those filed by HKGC against manufacturers like OPMS Kratom, seeking compensation for losses due to inadequate warnings or contaminated products.
Navigating the Louisiana Ban: Advice for Louisiana Residents
For Louisiana residents, compliance with the new law is critical to avoid penalties. Here are key recommendations:
- Cease Possession and Use: As of August 1, 2025, possessing kratom in any form (powder, capsules, liquid) is illegal. Dispose of existing supplies safely to avoid fines or jail time.
- Avoid Illegal Sources: Purchasing kratom from unregulated online vendors or neighboring states risks legal consequences and exposure to unsafe products. The FDA has flagged contaminated kratom products, such as those recalled for Salmonella in 2018.
- Seek Alternatives: Consult healthcare providers for FDA-approved treatments for pain, anxiety, or opioid withdrawal, such as physical therapy, prescription medications, or counseling.
- Stay Informed: Monitor updates from the Louisiana Department of Health and legis.la.gov for changes in enforcement or future legislative efforts to regulate rather than ban kratom.
- Engage in Advocacy: Join groups like the American Kratom Association to support efforts for science-based regulation in future legislative sessions.
Conclusion
As of July 7, 2025, kratom is illegal in Louisiana due to the passage of Senate Bill 154, which classifies its primary alkaloids as Schedule I controlled substances, effective August 1, 2025. This statewide ban follows years of debate and local prohibitions in parishes like Ascension, Rapides, and Zachary, driven by concerns over kratom’s health risks, including addiction and rare fatalities. Penalties for possession and distribution are severe, with fines up to $50,000 and imprisonment for up to 5 years.
While advocates like the American Kratom Association and users argue for regulation over prohibition, citing kratom’s benefits for pain and opioid withdrawal, the Louisiana Legislature prioritized public safety concerns. Residents must comply with the ban to avoid legal consequences, while vendors face significant business disruptions.
For those affected by kratom-related issues, consulting kratom attorneys can provide legal recourse. As the debate continues, staying informed and advocating for balanced policies will be crucial for shaping kratom’s future in Louisiana. If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to kratom, fill out the form below for free case evaluation.