Every Country With a Kratom Ban

The following page contains a list of all the countries where the possession, sale, or use of Kratom is currently prohibited, as well as more specific details on local laws or regulations when applicable.

Why Is There a Kratom Ban Anywhere?

Mitragyna speciosa, the scientific name for the plant commonly known as “Kratom,” contains two active substances, which are both types of alkaloids, called mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.

As Kratom usage becomes more popular, and further research is conducted, it is possible that Kratom bans may spread or be lifted, depending on local laws and classifications of Kratom around the world.

 

Is There a Kratom Ban in the United States?

There is not a federal ban on the purchase or unsupervised use of Kratom in the U.S. Currently, the FDA has an import alert on Kratom, with the ability to seize all dietary supplements that contain Kratom without physical examination. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) currently classifies Kratom as a drug of concern. At the time of writing, Kratom remains legal at the federal level in the U.S., but state legislation may vary. The current states that have an outright ban on the sale and possession of Kratom include:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Indiana
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

Argentina

Kratom was labeled as a narcotic drug in Argentina under Decree 69/2017, making it an illegal substance in the country.

Australia

The sale, use, and possession of Kratom were completely banned by the Australian Drug and Poisons Schedule Committee, which classified Kratom as a schedule 9, narcotic substance. Kratom use or possession may be approved for clinical research.

Belarus

The main compounds in Kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, are specifically illegal in Belarus under the Republican List of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors and labeled as psychotropic substances.

Bulgaria

According to the Journal of Forensic Sciences, kratom is an illegal or controlled substance — typically meaning its use requires a prescription from a physician — in Bulgaria.

Croatia

Kratom, as well as mitragynine, are specifically listed on the Croatian Ministry of Health’s directory of drugs, psychotropic substances, and plants from which drugs can be obtained and substances that can be used in the manufacturing of drugs, making possession, distribution, and cultivation of Kratom illegal in Croatia.

Denmark

Denmark added Kratom to its Executive Order on Narcotics in 2008, making it a criminal offense to import, export, sell, purchase, distribute, receive, produce, process and possess in a country. Medical prescriptions may be exempt from this executive order.

Estonia

Mitragynine, which is one of Kratom’s main compounds, is listed as a narcotic under Regulation 73, making Kratom an illegal substance in Estonia.

Finland

Kratom is listed on Finland’s Government Decree on psychoactive substances banned from the consumer market, making it illegal to sell or purchase within the country.

France

Kratom, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine were all added to France’s list of psychotropic substances under decree 23, established in 2019. This prohibits trade and possession of Kratom and substances possessing mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.

Germany

The Journal of Forensic Sciences states that Kratom and its compounds are either illegal or controlled substances in Germany.

Ireland

Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are classified as a Schedule 1 controlled drug under S.I. No. 173/2017 – Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017, effectively making kratom illegal in the country.

Indonesia

Despite being one of the countries of origin — and one of the largest distributors of Kratom to the rest of the world — Indonesia is facing local use and distribution bans on Kratom, due to concerns over its alkaloid compounds.

Israel

According to the Journal of Forensic Sciences, Israel is a country where Kratom is either illegal or a controlled substance.

Italy

Kratom was added to Italy’s table containing the indication of narcotic and psychotropic substances by the Italian minister of health in 2016, making it subject to the country’s drug regulation laws.

Latvia

Kratom was added to Latvia’s Regulations Regarding Narcotic Substances, Psychotropic Substances and Precursors to be controlled in Latvia under “plant products with psychotropic effects”, meaning Kratom is a controlled substance in Latvia.

Lithuania

Kratom and mitragynine are both on Lithuania’s Lists of Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, making the production, processing, acquisition, wholesale or retail trade, storage, transportation within the state, import or export of both substances illegal in the country.

Luxembourg

Kratom, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine were classified as psychotropic substances by the Luxembourg minister of health in 2012, making it a controlled substance in the country.

Moldova

Kratom and mitragynine are classified as “narcotic substances and psychotropic substances not used for medical purposes” in Moldova as of 2010 and decision 853.

Norway

According to the Journal of Forensic Sciences, Kratom is either an illegal or controlled substance in Norway.

Poland

According to the Journal of Forensic Sciences, Norway is a European country where Kratom is either an illegal or controlled substance.

Portugal

Kratom was classified as a psychoactive substance in ordinance No. 154/2013, and thus illegal to import, export, advertise, distribute, and sell in Portugal. Personal possession is not currently criminalized, though possession with intent to distribute may fall into the ordinance.

Malaysia

Mitragynine was classified in Malaysia, another country where the plant is indigenous, as a psychotropic substance under the Poisons Act of 1952, and is currently illegal to produce or distribute.

Myanmar

According to the Journal of Forensic Sciences, Myanmar is a country where Kratom is either illegal or a control substance.

New Zealand

According to the Journal of Forensic Sciences, New Zealand is a country where Kratom is either illegal or a control substance.

Romania

Romania was made a narcotic in Romania under emergency ordinance no. 6 of February 10, 2010, prohibiting trafficking and consumption.

Slovenia

Kratom was classified as an illicit drug by Slovenia in 2019, according to the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia.

Singapore

Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are both included in the Misuse of Drugs Act, and classified as First Schedule controlled drugs. Use, distribution, and produce of Kratom is considered a criminal offense in Singapore.

Sweden

According to the Journal of Forensic Sciences, Sweden is a country where Kratom is illegal or a controlled substance.

Switzerland

Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine appear in Switzerland’s Narcotics Act, making trade, possession, and consumption criminal offenses.

United Arab Emirates

According to the Journal of Forensic Sciences, Kratom is an illegal or controlled substance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

United Kingdom

There is no specific Kratom regulation in the UK. However, the Psychoactive Substances Act’s definition of a psychoactive substance, being “[a substance that] is capable of producing a psychoactive effect in a person who consumes it,” would likely include Kratom, therefore making it illegal to sell, buy, produce, import and export. Simple possession of Kratom is not covered under this legislation but possession with the intent to supply is, and the difference would be decided by a court of law.