Utah legislators are preparing to debate a proposal that would prohibit the sale and possession of kratom, an herbal substance commonly sold at gas stations, smoke shops and vape retailers across the state. This is a landmark proposal as Utah is one of the original adopters of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act - a regulatory framework developed to protect kratom vendors and buyers at state level.

Supporters of the measure say kratom has become increasingly dangerous due to the rise of highly concentrated products that they argue carry serious risks of addiction and withdrawal. The proposal would be considered during Utah’s 2026 legislative session.

Kratom is a substance derived from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia and is a member of the coffee family. It has been used in traditional medicine and as a stimulant by the indigenous people for centuries. Southeast Asians typically chew fresh kratom leaves or brew them into a beverage to enjoy the effects. In recent years, kratom in powdered form has become popular in the United States, an integral part of the burgeoning wellness and alternative medicine industries. It can be consumed in a wide range of forms, including capsules, drink shots and extracts - some of which are far more potent than traditional preparations.

Senator Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, is sponsoring the legislation. He has expressed regret over supporting Utah’s Kratom Consumer Protection Act in 2019, which established labeling and safety standards instead of banning the substance outright. McKell now says newer products on the market are significantly stronger and pose greater risks than what lawmakers anticipated at the time.

Under the proposed bill, Utah would repeal its existing kratom regulations and classify kratom-related alkaloids as Schedule I controlled substances - a category reserved for drugs considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. That change would effectively make kratom illegal in the state.

State health officials and poison control experts have raised concerns about a compound called 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, which is found naturally in small amounts in kratom but is now being concentrated and synthesized in some products. Officials say this compound has powerful opioid-like effects and has been linked to an increase in serious adverse reactions.

The Health and Human Services Interim Committee voted unanimously in November to fast-track the bill, signaling strong early support among lawmakers. If passed, Utah would become one of a growing number of states to enact a full ban on kratom.

Advocacy groups that support kratom use have criticized bans, arguing that responsible use of the plant can help people manage pain and reduce reliance on opioids. However, state officials say the evolution of highly concentrated products has changed the risk profile and made stricter action necessary.

Lawmakers are expected to take up the proposal when the general session begins later this month. The kratom landscape is changing rapidly across the USA - check its current legal status where you live here.