Kratom Now Sold as Vapes, Sublingual Strips, and Pouches — Many With Child-Friendly Packaging

Why it matters

Non-swallowed kratom formulations bypass first-pass liver metabolism, potentially delivering higher alkaloid blood levels with unknown pharmacological consequences. Several products also combine kratom alkaloids with intoxicating hemp cannabinoids — with no clinical safety data whatsoever.

The big picture

As kratom's regulatory status remains unsettled, manufacturers have expanded into novel delivery formats not governed by existing rules. The FDA's Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act explicitly requires that dietary supplements be swallowed, making sublingual strips and vaping products legally questionable. Despite this, 49 such products were found actively on sale — many targeting young consumers.

Key findings

• Researchers identified 49 kratom-derived products sold as sublingual strips (24%), buccal pouches (8%), and vaping products (67%)
• Most contained 7-hydroxymitragynine, the alkaloid the FDA has sought to schedule as a controlled substance
• Several kratom vaping products also contained intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids
• Many products had flavoring, mascots, fruit images, or packaging colors that could appeal to children
• Most were not sold in child-resistant packaging
• No clinical, safety, or pharmacokinetic data exist for kratom absorbed via these non-swallowed routes

What they say

The study authors stated: "With no clinical, safety, or pharmacokinetic data for kratom-derived products that bypass first-pass metabolism... people should be advised to avoid these products, and regulatory action is needed to prevent their sale to consumers."

Bottom line

Kratom is now being sold in vapes and sublingual strips designed to appeal to children — with zero safety data and likely illegal under existing federal dietary supplement law.