Kratom News Update: Regulatory Battles Heat Up in 2025

The kratom landscape is experiencing significant turbulence as federal and state regulators intensify their scrutiny of the herbal supplement. With an estimated 1.7 million Americans aged 12 and older using kratom in 2021, the regulatory battles surrounding this Southeast Asian plant are affecting millions of users.

The latest Kratom News Update highlights the ongoing regulatory tensions and their effects on users.

FDA Takes Aggressive Stance on Synthetic Kratom

In a major development, the FDA issued actions on December 2, 2025, targeting products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine, the compound known as 7-OH. This synthetic derivative has become the focal point of regulatory concerns.

This Kratom News Update will delve deeper into the implications of these FDA actions.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary clarified that authorities are specifically targeting concentrated synthetic versions, not traditional kratom leaf products. The FDA’s primary concern centers on 7-OH’s enhanced potency and opioid-like effects.

What is 7-OH?

While 7-hydroxymitragynine occurs naturally in kratom leaves, it comprises less than 2% of the total alkaloid content. However, 7-OH demonstrates substantially greater mu-opioid receptor potency than kratom’s primary alkaloid constituent mitragynine.

Since 2024, novel kratom-related products have emerged on consumer markets, particularly in the United States, often containing high concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragynine and/or mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, according to a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report.

State-Level Actions Escalate

Kratom News Update: What You Need to Know

Stay tuned for more in this Kratom News Update as we explore state-level actions.

Ohio’s Emergency Ban

Ohio’s Board of Pharmacy issued an emergency ruling banning most kratom products for 180 days, effective until June 10, 2026. The emergency measure makes it illegal to sell, possess, or distribute any kratom-related products except those composed solely of mitragynine in natural vegetation form.

Governor Mike DeWine stated that preliminary data from the Ohio Department of Health documented more than 200 unintentional overdose deaths between 2019 and 2024 from synthetic kratom.

New York’s Protective Legislation

In this Kratom News Update, we will also discuss New York’s significant legislative changes.

Governor Kathy Hochul signed two landmark pieces of legislation to protect New Yorkers, prohibiting the sale of kratom products to individuals under 21 years of age and requiring consumer warning labels on all kratom products.

Connecticut Moves Toward Schedule 1 Classification

Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection proposed regulations to designate kratom as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, with public hearings held in October 2025.

The Public Health Debate

The Kratom News Update has sparked a heated public health debate among various stakeholders.

The kratom controversy has created a sharp divide between advocacy groups, researchers, and regulators.

Concerns About Safety

The United Nations warned that the risk of overdose is high, as 7-hydroxymitragynine may be more potent than morphine at causing respiratory depression. Additionally, other health concerns include physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms similar to those caused by classical opioids.

A drug testing lab in Lenexa, Kansas has seen more people test positive for 7-OH than for methamphetamine and marijuana, according to the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.

The Case for Kratom

Supporters of kratom eagerly await further developments in this ongoing Kratom News Update.

Many users and researchers argue that kratom serves as an important harm reduction tool. According to a survey of nearly 3,000 kratom users, nearly half use it to manage the cravings of opioid addiction, while 91% use it to manage chronic pain.

More than one-third of survey respondents who use kratom to manage opioid addiction have been able to continuously abstain from opioids for a full year, which is higher than the success rate of current FDA-approved treatments like methadone and buprenorphine.

Johns Hopkins University researcher Kirsten Smith expressed surprise at the FDA’s push, noting that there isn’t really a public health signal of numerous adverse events for either kratom or 7-OH at this time.

Legal Status Remains Complex

The legal intricacies of kratom are discussed frequently in the Kratom News Update.

Kratom is not lawfully marketed in the U.S. as a drug product, a dietary supplement, or a food additive in conventional food, according to FDA determinations.

Currently, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C. have banned the substance, and eight other states have set a legal age limit of 21 to buy products containing kratom.

At least half of U.S. states now regulate kratom or its components in some way, creating a complicated patchwork of state-level regulations.

What’s Next?

What’s next in the regulatory timeline? Keep an eye on the Kratom News Update for insights.

The FDA has recommended that the Drug Enforcement Administration schedule 7-OH under the Controlled Substances Act. This process involves issuing a formal proposal and opening a public comment period before any final determination.

The kratom debate shows no signs of resolution, with advocates arguing for proper regulation rather than prohibition, while health officials warn about potential risks. As research continues and more data emerges, the regulatory landscape for kratom will likely continue evolving throughout 2025 and beyond.

This Kratom News Update emphasizes the importance of staying informed on these matters.

Resources for Consumers

The FDA encourages healthcare professionals and consumers to report adverse reactions through the MedWatch program or Safety Reporting Portal. Anyone considering using kratom products should consult with healthcare providers and stay informed about rapidly changing state and federal regulations.

The Kratom News Update serves as an essential resource for understanding the changing landscape.

For the latest updates, refer to this Kratom News Update and consult with professionals.