Following several years' uncertainty over the legal status of Kratom in Nebraska, its future was finally safeguarded this week.

Back in January we reported that Nebraskans faced a Kratom ban after Sen. Loren Lippincott introduced SB 431 with the aim of completely outlawing the herbal supplement. At the same time, state senator Bob Hallstrom bought legislative bill LB 230 to counter the move, proposing instead to regulate Kratom across the state. In a fantastic development this week, LB 230 was passed unanimously 48-0 and will take effect immediately.

The legislation, also known as the Kratom Consumer Protection Act or KCPA, mandates that all Kratom products sold in the state meet federal and state standards for manufacturing, packaging and labeling. It also prohibits the sale of Kratom to anyone under the age of 21 and requires e-commerce platforms to use online age-verification systems. Nebraska becomes the 17th state to adopt the KCPA, following hot on the heels of South Carolina earlier this week.

LB230 also bans the production and sale of Kratom products marketed toward children and enforces specific labeling rules. Labels must include warnings about use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, along with a disclaimer that the product is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. The Nebraska Department of Revenue will be responsible for creating and managing a registry of approved Kratom products, which will be accessible on the department’s website.

The bill also incorporates language from Senator Barry DeKay of Niobrara’s LB 184, which prohibits the sale of flavored and certain other nitrous oxide products. However, nitrous oxide used for industrial, dental, medical, automotive or food preparation purposes is exempt from the ban.

Additionally, Senator Merv Riepe of Ralston’s LB 475 is included in the measure. It adds tianeptine, including its salts and isomers, to the list of Schedule II controlled substances in Nebraska.

The American Kratom Association, an advocacy group responsible for promoting the safe and regulated use of Kratom across the United States, is the brainchild behind the KCPA. It tweeted:

"After two years of potential bans in Nebraska, the legislature has passed and Governor has signed the KCPA! Thank you to all advocates who helped so much!"