Michigan Bipartisan Bill Would Make Growing or Selling Kratom a Misdemeanor

Why it matters

A bipartisan bill in the Michigan House—introduced the same week that Utah retreated from a total ban and California escalated enforcement—signals that kratom prohibition efforts are intensifying across the political spectrum.

The big picture

Michigan had previously debated a Kratom Consumer Protection Act that would regulate rather than ban kratom. This new bipartisan bill (HB 5537) represents a harder-line approach, making the growth or sale of kratom a criminal misdemeanor. The DEA classifies kratom as a drug of concern but has not federally scheduled it, leaving states to set their own policies.

Key findings

• Michigan House Bill 5537 was introduced February 20, 2026, and would ban the growth and sale of kratom across the state
• The bipartisan bill carries penalties of up to one year in jail for selling kratom to a minor
• The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Regulatory Reform
• The DEA notes kratom abuse can cause addiction and negative side effects including seizures
• Michigan is one of several states introducing kratom legislation in early 2026, joining Utah, Kansas, South Carolina, Idaho, and Washington

What they say

The authors of the legislation have stated that kratom's potential for abuse and negative health effects, including seizures and addiction as noted by the DEA, justify a full ban on its growth and sale within the state.

Bottom line

A new bipartisan Michigan bill would criminalize kratom sales statewide, adding Michigan to the growing list of states pushing for stricter kratom laws in 2026.