Louisiana legislature passes bill to ban Kratom as advocates urge governor to veto

The Louisiana House of Representatives has passed Senate Bill 154 (SB154), legislation that would criminalize the possession and distribution of Kratom, an herbal supplement derived from a Southeast Asian tree. With a sweeping 87-6 vote, the bill now heads to Governor Jeff Landry’s desk for final approval.

Kratom, made from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, is a popular herbal substance in the United States, lauded by advocates and users for its diverse range of well being benefits. However, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), its active compounds, the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, can deliver effects similar to opioids, raising concerns about potential abuse.

If signed into law, SB154 would designate those alkaloids as Schedule I Controlled Substances under Louisiana law, placing them in the same category as heroin and LSD. This classification reflects a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.

The bill’s advancement follows years of debate in Louisiana over how to regulate Kratom. While some states have opted for regulatory frameworks like the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) to ensure product safety, Louisiana now appears poised for a full ban.

“Kratom is causing greater drug addiction. It is causing psychosis. It is causing death. It is causing our babies to be born addicted,” said State Rep. Debbie Villio during a house debate. Villio and other proponents of the bill argue that Kratom poses serious risks to public health, particularly when sold in unregulated forms.

But advocates say the bill goes too far.

Mac Haddow, a senior fellow with the American Kratom Association (AKA) and a vocal critic of the ban, helped organize a rally at the state capitol urging Governor Landry not to sign the bill.

“The tide is for proper regulation on Kratom, not banning it. Banning it is a horrible public policy,” Haddow said.

“Unfortunately, everything that was done in that discussion, both on the Senate and the House side, contradicts what the scientists say about the safety profile of Kratom.”

Haddow argues that synthetic and adulterated Kratom products are the real danger - not the raw plant.

“There are products on the market today that are dangerous, that are synthetically derived from the natural Kratom plant material. Those should have been banned,” he said.

On behalf of the AKA, Haddow has submitted letters to the governor highlighting the need for regulation instead of prohibition.

Supporters of Kratom often cite its use as an alternative to prescription opioids or other pain management drugs. Jimmy Vines, a Louisiana resident, said he’s been using Kratom for many years to manage chronic pain.

“I get up in the mornings, I take my Kratom. I can go for a number of hours without pain,” Vines said.

“I can’t go back to that old life. I finally, finally had a quality of life where I actually wanted to go on vacation and just enjoy it.”

Critics of the ban warn that outlawing Kratom could push users toward more dangerous substances or force them into withdrawal. Meanwhile, advocates like Haddow continue to push for what they call 'common-sense regulation' instead of criminalization.

Governor Landry has just over a week to sign or veto SB154. If he does neither, the bill will automatically become law.