Kansas and Tennessee Kratom Bans Take Effect July 1 as State Prohibition Wave Continues

Why it matters

Two more states are joining a growing ban movement that now encompasses at least eight states, while Rhode Island's repeal of its ban demonstrates the policy landscape is contested and evolving in both directions.

The big picture

Kratom policy in the U.S. is increasingly fragmented, with states banning, regulating, or rolling back restrictions at the same time. Kansas has designated 7-OH and related kratom alkaloids as Schedule I controlled substances, while Tennessee's "Matthew Davenport's Law" specifically targets all kratom possession and distribution, named after a 27-year-old who died after taking kratom alongside prescription medication. At the federal level, the FDA has recommended scheduling certain 7-OH products, but the DEA has not acted. Meanwhile, Rhode Island became the first state to reverse its kratom ban, allowing regulated sales to adults 21 and over.

Key findings

• Kansas's ban on kratom and 7-OH products as Schedule I controlled substances takes effect July 1, 2026, covering possession, purchase, and sale
• Tennessee's "Matthew Davenport's Law" takes effect July 1, making kratom possession a misdemeanor and distribution a felony
• At least eight states now have full kratom bans (Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Vermont, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Connecticut, and Kansas)
• Rhode Island became the first state to overturn its kratom ban, now allowing sales to adults 21+ at licensed businesses while keeping the synthetic form banned
• Over 15 localities across the U.S. enacted kratom bans in 2026 alone, signaling accelerating local action
• More than a dozen states have adopted the Kratom Consumer Protection Act framework, requiring age verification and ingredient labeling rather than prohibition

What they say

"[Kratom] really deals with the normal stresses of daily life and the aches and pains related to it." — Mac Haddow, Senior Fellow on Public Policy, American Kratom Association

Bottom line

As Kansas and Tennessee add full kratom bans, the U.S. is seeing simultaneous prohibition and regulation movements — with no federal standard in sight.