Kratom Use Surges in the US, Prompting Calls for Stricter Regulation

Kratom Use Surges in the US, Prompting Calls for Stricter Regulation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[City, State] – May 16, 2026 – A recent national study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine reveals a significant increase in kratom use across the United States, reaching an all-time high. This news, highlighted by futurity.org, signals a critical moment for the kratom industry, demanding heightened attention to compliance and consumer safety.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan and Texas State University, found that over 5 million people in the U.S. have used kratom in their lifetime, including more than 100,000 children aged 12-17. The share of Americans aged 12 and older reporting lifetime kratom use rose from 1.6% in 2021 to 1.9% in 2024, with young adults (21-34) showing the highest rates of use. While the study noted an association between kratom use and substance use disorders, cannabis use, and mental health issues like serious psychological distress and major depression, it emphasized that the research identifies correlation, not causation.

Why This Matters to Kratom Merchants and Consumers

This surge in popularity, particularly among young demographics, places the kratom industry under an even brighter spotlight. For merchants, this means increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies and public health advocates. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved kratom for any medical use and federal agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), have warned about potential risks and flagged kratom as a drug of concern.

The study's findings are already reinforcing calls for "policy action... to limit access to kratom by children." This comes amidst a backdrop where roughly half of U.S. states already ban or regulate kratom, and states with bans consistently show lower rates of exposure and severe outcomes linked to the substance. Recent data also indicate a dramatic increase in kratom exposures reported to U.S. poison centers, with severe medical outcomes surging over the past decade.

Compliance Implications and What High-Risk Merchants Need to Know

The fragmented regulatory landscape, coupled with rising public health concerns, suggests an accelerated push for more comprehensive state-level regulations and potentially federal oversight. As of March 2026, several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Connecticut, have designated kratom as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, rendering its sale and distribution illegal within their borders.

For high-risk kratom merchants operating in legal markets, proactive and stringent compliance is no longer optional—it's imperative for survival and industry legitimacy.

1. Certificates of Analysis (COAs): Providing readily accessible and up-to-date Certificates of Analysis from accredited third-party laboratories is paramount. These COAs must verify the purity and potency of products, specifically quantifying mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine content, and crucially, confirming the absence of harmful contaminants such as heavy metals (e.g., lead), pesticides, and microbial pathogens like Salmonella.
2. Robust Lab Testing Protocols: Beyond basic COAs, merchants should implement rigorous, ongoing lab testing programs. This ensures consistent product quality, detects any potential adulteration, and validates accurate labeling, which is vital for consumer safety and trust.
3. Adherence to Regulatory Compliance: Merchants must meticulously adhere to all existing state and local laws governing kratom. This includes implementing robust age verification systems to prevent sales to minors, a critical concern highlighted by the new study. Furthermore, all marketing and product labeling must avoid unsubstantiated health claims, aligning with FDA guidelines. Merchants should also be aware of the distinction between natural kratom and novel, semi-synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine products, which experts do not classify as true kratom.

The expanding use of kratom underscores the urgent need for industry stakeholders to champion responsible practices. By embracing transparency, rigorous quality control, and strict adherence to evolving regulations, merchants can help mitigate risks, protect consumers, and advocate for a sustainable future for the kratom industry.