Filed last week by State Representative Morgan Meyer (R), House Bill 291 would impose new regulations on the manufacture, distribution and sale of kratom products in Texas.

Kratom products.

The proposal would redesignate the current kratom law in the Health and Safety Code as Chapter 445, titled “Manufacture, Distribution, and Sale of Kratom Products.” It would establish clear definitions for kratom processors, retailers and products, and require in-state laboratory testing to measure alkaloid content, heavy metals, pesticides and microbial contaminants. Products would also need to carry labels with directions for safe use and recommended serving sizes.

The measure would prohibit kratom sales to anyone under 21 and restrict sales near schools. It would also bar kratom from being sold alongside hemp products, tobacco or alcohol. Violations such as improper labeling, contamination or selling to minors would be punishable as Class A misdemeanors, while falsifying lab results would be a third-degree felony.

Civil penalties would range from $2,500 for a first offense to $10,000 for continued violations, with each day considered a separate offense. Enforcement authority would be granted to the attorney general and local prosecutors.

Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, where its leaves have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine to relieve pain, boost energy and improve mood. In recent years, it has gained popularity in the United States as a natural supplement, with many users turning to it as an alternative to prescription opioids for managing chronic pain and withdrawal symptoms.