State-Level Kratom Bans Associated with Significantly Lower Poison Center Reports and Hospital Admissions

Why it matters

New research shows that states with kratom bans had markedly better health outcomes than states with minimal regulation, providing evidence-based support for regulatory action. Kratom exposures increased 65-fold from 2010-2023, but state interventions appear effective.

The big picture

A peer-reviewed analysis published in Addiction journal examined National Poison Data System records from 2010-2023 across all U.S. states. Kratom exposure reports surged from 19 cases in 2010 to 1,242 in 2023. States that banned kratom showed lower rates of severe outcomes, hospitalizations, and healthcare utilization than states using consumer-protection approaches or no regulation.

Key findings

• Kratom exposures increased 6,500% from 2010 to 2023
• States with bans had consistently lower severe outcome rates compared to states with consumer protections or no regulation
• Severe outcomes rose from 0 cases in 2010 to 158 in 2023
• Nearly 1 in 7 single-substance kratom cases required hospital admission
• Nearly 1 in 16 required critical care unit admission

What they say

Senior author Dr. Ryan Feldman of Medical College of Wisconsin: "Evidence shows kratom can cause serious health effects like seizures, irregular heart rhythms, liver damage, and breathing problems...As kratom use rises, and concerns over kratom and its risks increase, legislatures across the country are debating the best ways to regulate its use."

Bottom line

**Evidence from 13 years of poison center data demonstrates that state-level kratom bans substantially reduce hospitalizations and severe medical outcomes compared to lighter regulatory approaches.**