South Carolina Senate Stalls Kratom Schedule 1 Classification Despite House Passage

Why it matters

South Carolina's decision to hold off on classifying kratom as Schedule 1 despite House passage illustrates the deep legislative divide over whether kratom should be criminalized or regulated — a debate playing out across the country with major consequences for users and businesses.

The big picture

South Carolina already restricted kratom sales to those over 21 in 2025. The House-passed bill would have made kratom a Schedule 1 substance — the same category as heroin — but senators expressed concern about reversing legal business activity enabled by last year's law. Researchers are divided on whether kratom's risks warrant criminal scheduling.

Key findings

• South Carolina's House passed a bill to classify kratom as Schedule 1, alongside heroin and LSD
• The Senate killed the bill for 2026, citing the need for more study before taking action
• Dr. Suzanne Schwab of MUSC reports deaths and neonatal withdrawal syndromes linked to synthetic 7-OH kratom products
• Researcher Dr. Kirsten Smith argues kratom should not be scheduled and shows benefits for opioid use reduction
• Senators expressed concern about harming businesses that expanded legally under 2025's kratom age-restriction law
• Lawmakers plan to study the issue further and may reintroduce legislation in 2027

What they say

"Kratom and 7-OH are not categorically dangerous," said Dr. Kirsten Smith, kratom researcher. "They have benefits and risks which require further study and regulation. They should not be scheduled."

Bottom line

South Carolina's Senate blocked a bill to make kratom a Schedule 1 substance, deferring the question to 2027 as lawmakers disagree on whether prohibition or regulation is the right approach.