Policy · 2026-05-02
St. Clair Shores, Michigan Passes Kratom Age-21 Ordinance; Judge Says Drug Courts Can't Test for Kratom
Source: St. Clair Shores Sentinel
Why it matters
With Michigan's legislature considering a complete kratom ban, cities are adopting interim ordinances. A district court judge's revelation that standard drug tests cannot detect kratom highlights a critical gap in addiction treatment and court supervision programs — one that local age-restriction ordinances alone cannot fix.
The big picture
Michigan's House has passed a bill to ban kratom entirely, with the Senate now considering the measure. Dozens of southeast Michigan communities are enacting local regulations in the interim. Drug courts nationwide face a systemic challenge: kratom binds to opioid receptors but typically does not appear on standard urine drug screens, allowing patients to substitute kratom for opioids while technically passing mandated testing.
Key findings
- St. Clair Shores City Council voted unanimously 6-0 on April 20, 2026 to adopt a kratom age restriction ordinance prohibiting purchase, possession, or use by those 21 and under
- All forms of kratom are covered: capsules, tablets, powder, liquid, and edibles
- Violations by sellers are classified as misdemeanors; minors found possessing kratom face civil infractions
- 40th District Court Judge confirmed that kratom is essentially undetectable with standard drug tests used in court supervision programs
- Several other Southeast Michigan communities are enacting similar measures as the state considers comprehensive legislation
What they say
"One of the most difficult things with our drug court is the use of kratom because we can't test for it," said 40th District Court Judge Mark Fratarcangeli. "It's a substitute for opioids and it was running rampant."
Bottom line
A Michigan judge's admission that drug courts cannot detect kratom with standard tests reveals a system-wide blind spot: patients in court-mandated addiction treatment can substitute kratom for opioids and go undetected, undermining recovery programs nationwide.