The Louisiana Legislature has passed a bill that would outlaw kratom statewide, sending it to Governor Jeff Landry for final consideration.
A bowl of kratom powder, kratom pills, and kratom leaves.
Senate Bill 154 received final legislative approval this week, passing the House of Representatives in an 89 to 5 vote and the Senate 26 to 11. The measure would ban the possession, manufacture, and distribution of kratom, a substance derived from the Mitragyna speciosa tree that contains the active compounds mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Morris and over a dozen co-sponsors in both chambers, adds mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine to Louisiana’s Schedule I controlled substances list. It establishes criminal penalties for both possession and distribution. Possession of up to 20 grams would result in a fine of up to $100, while possession of more than 20 grams could carry a fine of up to $500 and up to six months in jail. Repeat offenders face fines of up to $1,000. Manufacturing or distributing kratom in quantities under 500 grams would be punishable by up to three years in prison and a $50,000 fine. Larger amounts would carry penalties of up to five years in prison.
The legislation also amends state law to define kratom and incorporate Mitragyna speciosa into the list of prohibited plant materials. It repeals a previous section of law and directs the Louisiana State Law Institute to update and reorganize related statutes.
If signed into law by Governor Landry, the bill would make Louisiana one of the few states to fully ban kratom.
