Delaware Lawmakers Offer Competing Bills to Regulate or Ban Kratom as Opioid-Like Herbal Supplement

Why it matters

Two competing legislative approaches in Delaware demonstrate divergent regulatory philosophies. One bill proposes total ban; another creates regulatory framework allowing harm-reduction use while protecting minors and preventing contaminated products.

The big picture

Delaware lawmakers are now actively addressing kratom regulation, with two competing bills representing ban vs. regulate approaches. One senator believes no kratom product is safe; another representative acknowledges harm-reduction use for addiction recovery while proposing safeguards. This legislative split reflects broader national kratom policy debates.

Key findings

• State Sen. Kyra Hoffner sponsors bill to ban kratom in all forms (natural and synthetic) from Delaware
• State Rep. Melanie Ross Levin proposes regulatory bill allowing kratom with restrictions on contaminants and 7-OH levels
• New law would ban kratom products with contaminants or synthetically derived compounds
• Legislation would restrict sales to age 21 and ban packaging designed to attract minors
• Hoffner's bill currently stalled in committee; Ross Levin's bill awaiting hearing
• Testimony from kratom user Misty Brown: kratom helped her recover from opioid addiction and avoid pain management medications for 6+ years

What they say

It should not be on sale in every gas station. They're sold right next to the 5-hour Energy drinks with no physician involved and no safeguards beyond whatever the retailer decides to put in place. — State Sen. Kyra Hoffner

Bottom line

**Delaware's competing bills reveal the policy tension between banning kratom entirely and creating regulatory safeguards that acknowledge some users' harm-reduction benefits.**