Is Kratom Legal? A Breakdown of Domestic & International Kratom Legality by Country

“Where is kratom legal in the US?” “Is kratom legal in Japan?” “Is kratom legal in the UK?” “Is kratom legal in Europe?” These questions seem simple, but the answers vary by country, state, or even city. Few products have a more complicated legal status than kratom. For instance, although kratom is still fairly new to the West and has been enjoyed in Southeast Asia for thousands of years, it is now widely accessible in the West and restricted in many Asian countries. 

While we can’t possibly cover all of the legal nuances of kratom cultivation, manufacturing, and possession, we hope this guide serves as a primer on kratom legality by country and in the U.S. We’ve taken great care to highlight all of the major locations where kratom is restricted or illegal. 

So, is kratom currently legal? Is it banned? The answer depends entirely on where you are.

[NOTE: If we’ve missed any, please let us know. We’ll continue to update this guide as new information becomes available.] 

Where Is Kratom Legal in the US?

Kratom remains legal in most of the U.S., with a few exceptions. A few states, counties, and cities have imposed their own restrictions. Unlike other places when it comes to kratom legality by country, the US is a patchwork. It is actually the same case when it comes to answering “Is kratom legal in Europe?” The Food and Drug Administration has expressed concern about kratom and has cracked down on several kratom operations over the years. However, these crackdowns have largely involved adulterated and mislabeled kratom products.

There is no blanket federal ban on natural kratom leaf. Federal regulators are, however, pursuing Schedule I controls for concentrated 7-OH and related substances; DEA began the temporary-scheduling process in July 2026. For regular kratom, the biggest question for most enthusiasts is its status on the state or local level.

Kratom is currently illegal in the following eight states: 

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• Indiana
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts (temporary Schedule I order)
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

Instead of thinking about kratom legality by country, American consumers are usually more concerned with its status on a smaller scale to know where kratom is legal in the US. Kratom has restrictions in the following states, cities, and counties: 

• Arizona: Legal for those 18+
• California: Banned in San Diego, but recently state and other local agencies have acted against retail kratom and 7-OH products.
• Colorado: Banned in Denver, legal for those 21+
• Florida: Legal for those 21+
• Georgia: Legal for those 21+ 
• Illinois: Banned in Jerseyville and Tinley Park, legal for those 18+
• Maine: Legal, but unregulated
• Minnesota: For those 18+, kratom is legal
• Mississippi: Banned in Union County; otherwise regulated and legal for those 21+
• Nevada: Legal for those 18+
• New Hampshire: Legal for those 18+
• Oklahoma: Legal for those 18+
• Oregon: Legal for those 21+
• South Dakota: Legal for those 21+
• Texas: Legal for those 18+
• Utah: Legal for those 18+
• Virginia: Legal for those 21+
• West Virginia: Legal for those 21+

Determining kratom legality by country isn’t so simple when it comes to the US. Wondering “what is the legal status of kratom in my area?” The laws surrounding kratom continue to change, and there are many proposed changes to legislation in progress. The specifics of kratom legality can vary even where it’s widely available. It’s imperative to research local laws carefully before you buy kratom online. It is not enough to just know where kratom is legal in the US!

Is Kratom Legal Internationally? 

Kratom is permitted in many countries, but some have imposed tight restrictions. And knowing its status in certain regions, like whether kratom is legal in Europe, isn’t straightforward. That’s why it’s important to understand kratom legality by country if you plan to travel.

As of September 2026, the following countries currently allow kratom or do not criminalize it: 

• Albania: Kratom is unregulated, but legal
• Austria: Kratom is unregulated, but legal
• Germany: Kratom is often legal as long as it’s labeled “not for human consumption” (but this isn’t a categorical legal safe harbor!)
• Greece: Kratom is unregulated, but legal
• Hungary: Kratom is unregulated, but legal
• Spain: Kratom is unregulated, but legal

The following nations currently have kratom bans or restrictions in place, so be wary of them when it comes to when it comes to kratom legality by country if traveling to the following:

• Argentina: Although most South American countries are kratom-friendly, kratom has been classified as a narcotic drug in Argentina since 2017 under Decree 69/2017.
• Australia: Kratom is classified as a Schedule 9 prohibited substance in Australia. Use and possession are permitted for clinical research purposes only. 
• Denmark: It has been banned in Denmark since 2008, when it was added to the Executive Order on Narcotics. 
• Finland: Kratom is listed on Finland’s Government Decree on Psychoactive Substances. It is prohibited from the consumer market, which is similar to the U.S. Controlled Substances Act.
• France: As is the case for several nations when it comes to kratom legality by country, kratom and its two primary alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, are banned and have been on France’s list of psychotropic substances since 2019. 
• Ireland: Kratom’s two primary alkaloids are classified as Schedule 1 controlled drugs.
• Indonesia: Indonesia is one of the world’s top kratom distributors, home to such iconic strains as Green Indo kratom and Red Bali kratom. However, local possession and distribution are heavily restricted.
• Israel: Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are both identified as controlled substances in Israel. Kratom is effectively illegal nationwide. 
• Italy: Kratom has been banned in Italy since 2016, which is relatively early for some European states when it comes to kratom legality by country. The country’s Minister of Health identified it on the country’s list of narcotic and psychotropic substances.
• Japan: Kratom is not legal in this country. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has banned kratom, with the exception of scientific work
• Latvia: Kratom appears on the country’s list of Regulations Regarding Narcotic Substances, Psychotropic Substances and Precursors. 
• Malaysia: Although some of the world’s best kratom is native to Malaysia, kratom is controlled under the country’s Poisons Act framework. This regulates the import, manufacturing, sale, and use of kratom. Authorization requirements depend on the activity and product.
• Norway: Kratom is classified as a controlled substance in Norway just as it is throughout most of Scandinavia. This is a good rule-of-thumb to keep in mind for kratom legality by country. 
• Poland: Kratom has been banned as a controlled substance in Poland since 2009. 
• Portugal: Kratom possession isn’t expressly illegal under Portuguese law. It is, however, classified as a psychoactive substance and is therefore illegal to distribute. 
• Singapore: Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are listed in Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act as Schedule 1 controlled substances, making kratom illegal.
• Sweden: Like Norway, Kratom is classified as a controlled substance in Sweden
• Switzerland: Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are listed as controlled substances in the country’s Narcotics Act. 
• United Arab Emirates: Kratom is illegal throughout the UAE and is known to be comparatively harsh when it comes to kratom legality by country. The nation’s health authority has identified it as a designer drug and classified it alongside other controlled substances. 
• United Kingdom: Kratom is not legal in the UK, as it falls under the Psychoactive Substances Act of 2016. This restricts the production, supply, importing, exporting, and possession with intent to supply of kratom. Simple personal possession isn’t itself criminalized. 

Kratom is also illegal or heavily restricted in: 

• Belarus
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Cambodia
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Estonia
• Laos
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Moldova
• Myanmar
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• Romania
• Russia 
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Turkey
• Vietnam

Recent News Highlights on Kratom’s Legal Status

There have been some major developments in terms of kratom legality by country and where kratom is legal in the US over the past few years. The following are among the most noteworthy domestic and international kratom news highlights. 

Thailand Legalized Kratom

Thailand’s Kratom Plant Act was made official in August 2022. This was a significant development, as Thailand is home to some of the world’s top kratom strains, including Thai kratom and Maeng Da kratom. Under the terms of the Kratom Plant Act, kratom is permitted to be possessed and distributed. However, there are still some nuanced restrictions related to the marketing and distribution of kratom products. 

WHO Declined to Recommend a Critical Review for International Scheduling in 2021

This was a sigh of relief when it comes to kratom legality by country. In 2021, the United Nations World Health Organization’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence completed a pre-review of kratom and kratom-related products. It found there wasn’t enough evidence to recommend a critical review for international scheduling at that time and recommended continued WHO surveillance, so the door remains open for additional reviews in the future. 

A Number of States Approved the Kratom Consumer Protection Act

• Kratom is legal in most of Colorado, but until recently, it has been unregulated. In May 2022, Gov. Jared Polis signed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) into law, making CO the fifth state to adopt the act. It also, when it comes to kratom legality by country, makes the answer to “where kratom is legal in the US” even more fragmented. Kratom products in Colorado are now subject to government oversight and quality control, helping to ensure a safer kratom marketplace for everyone in the Centennial State.
• In 2023, more states followed suit to legalize and regulate kratom. This included Florida, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
• 2024 saw Maryland and Oklahoma pass their own versions of the KCPA.
• In 2025, Georgia, Mississippi, Nebraska, South Carolina, and South Dakota passed laws to regulate kratom. 
• Rhode Island also enacted a regulatory Kratom Act, with licensed sales beginning in April 2026. Other states may adopt similar regulatory frameworks in the future, so stay tuned.

Hopefully, you better understand kratom legality by country and within the US. Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for more on kratom legality by country and more international kratom news. Information is power. Because laws change frequently, it’s always worth asking whether kratom is allowed by law where you live or plan to travel.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Kratom laws and regulations can change frequently and may vary by country, state, county, or city. Always review the most current laws and regulations in your area before purchasing, possessing, or traveling with kratom.