The Missouri House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (House Bill 1037) by a vote of 148 to 2. The legislation now moves to the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee for consideration.
Kratom plant (photo credit: iStock.com/Panwasin getti).
If enacted into law, HB 1037 would establish comprehensive regulations for kratom products, including strict labeling requirements and limits on alkaloid content to ensure consumer safety. Kratom, derived from the Mitragyna speciosa plant native to Southeast Asia, is commonly used for pain relief, anxiety, and as a substitute for opioids, but its unregulated status has led to concerns over adulteration and inconsistent potency.
The bill requires manufacturers to label products with the amounts of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine—the two primary active compounds. It prohibits sales to anyone under 21 and bans products that are contaminated or contain synthetic derivatives. The measure also caps the amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine at 2%, citing its high potency.
Businesses that violate the proposed law could face fines or be charged with a Class D misdemeanor. Consumers harmed by unsafe or mislabeled products would also be entitled to pursue legal action.
With broad bipartisan support in the House, the bill is expected to receive serious consideration in the Senate.
For the full text of HB 1037, click here.
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