Is Kratom Legal in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin is known for a lot of things: great beer, a once-thriving lumber economy, and endless outdoor activities. It’s also widely regarded as the dairy capital of the USA. But there’s one thing you won’t find a lot of in Wisconsin, and that’s kratom. You won’t find it in stores, and most online retailers won’t even ship kratom to Wisconsin. This raises the obvious question: Is kratom legal in Wisconsin? Let’s break down the current status of kratom in Wisconsin.

Is Kratom Legal in Wisconsin?

Unfortunately, kratom is illegal in Wisconsin at the present time. Wisconsin is one of just six states where kratom products are 100% prohibited (the others being Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, and Vermont).

The trouble began in 2013, when state legislators introduced a bill that would designate kratom’s two main alkaloids (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) as Schedule I illicit substances. In 2014, Senate Bill 325 was brought to a vote, and it passed with majority support. It was then signed into law by Governor Scott Walker. As a result, kratom is now classified alongside other Schedule I drugs like ecstasy and heroin.

The controversy stems from misunderstandings about what kratom does and what it’s used for. Kratom is not a party drug; there’s no substantial evidence that it’s harmful when used as recommended. It comes from an evergreen tree related to the coffee plant, and it has been used for thousands of years. The latest kratom research shows a number of benefits, but a few states are still hesitant to allow it. 

The Penalties for Breaking the Wisconsin Kratom Law

In recent years, there have been a few organized efforts to legalize kratom in Wisconsin. Thanks to ongoing kratom advocacy from groups like the American Kratom Association, a growing number of states have adopted what’s known as the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), which seeks to protect consumers with sensible kratom safety regulations—as opposed to bans.

In 2019, the Wisconsin State Health Committee participated in a hearing to review the Wisconsin kratom law. Although no changes were made, the Senate responded to the hearing with open-mindedness about possibly lifting the kratom ban. The state has even considered the possibility of adopting the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. If you’d like to see more movement here, the best thing you can do is connect with the American Kratom Association and write to legislators in Wisconsin about how kratom has helped you and why the ban should be lifted.

In the meantime, though, you’ll unfortunately have to keep your kratom out of the Badger State.