In 2025, the Mississippi legislature witnessed a flurry of activity surrounding kratom as policymakers grappled with its place in the state’s legal framework. Proposals ranged from stringent criminalization to consumer protection, reflecting starkly different views on kratom’s risks and benefits. However, most legislative efforts have stalled, leaving local governments to chart their own course on regulation.
Divergent Legislative Approaches
The debate over kratom’s legality took several forms in this session:
- Criminalization Through Scheduling: Four bills sought to classify kratom as a Schedule III substance, a move that would restrict its use to medical professionals and require a doctor’s prescription. This would align kratom with substances like buprenorphine and ketamine in Mississippi’s drug policy. SB2355, the most successful of these bills, passed the Senate unanimously but failed to advance in the House Judiciary Committee.
- Substance Screening Proposals: A second category of legislation aimed to establish a broad screening program under the Mississippi Department of Health, ostensibly targeting any substance with recreational or abusive potential. Critics argued that such measures were impractical and overly broad, potentially impacting benign products like coffee or candy. None of the three bills in this category made it through the legislative process.
- Consumer Protection Measures: Six bills under the banner of the “Kratom Consumer Protection Act” aimed to regulate the manufacturing, labeling, and sale of kratom to ensure product safety. These measures included restrictions on sales to minors, bans on adulterated products, and transparency in labeling. Despite these consumer-focused provisions, all six bills failed to pass.
- The Kratom Control Act: This singular initiative echoed the themes of consumer protection while adding licensing requirements for retailers and penalties for non-compliance. It, too, failed to gain traction.
Legislation Still in Play
Amid the setbacks, two bills remain active. HB1077, which raises the legal purchase age for kratom to 21, has cleared both legislative chambers and awaits the governor’s signature. Meanwhile, HB1896, introducing an excise tax on kratom, is under consideration in the Senate Finance Committee.
Local Bans Take the Lead
While state-level efforts have largely faltered, local governments in Mississippi continue to impose bans on kratom. To date, 12 counties and 28 cities have prohibited the substance. Jones County is the latest to consider a ban, with an ordinance under discussion that would criminalize the sale and possession of kratom. Advocates for the ban cite public health concerns, while opponents warn of potential legal challenges.
The Road Ahead
Kratom’s future in Mississippi remains uncertain. The stark divide in legislative approaches—ranging from prohibition to regulation—reflects broader national debates over the supplement. For now, the industry’s path is shaped less by state law and more by the patchwork of local ordinances emerging across the state.