A new law took effect on Friday, August 4, 2025, that has outlawed kratom. Senate Bill 154 / Act No. 41 classified kratom as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, putting it in the same class as LSD and heroin. The law makes it illegal to sell, possess, or distribute any kratom products in Louisiana. The real powerhouse compound in kratom is 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), which is responsible for its psychoactive and opioid-like effects. It is derived, or extracted, from kratom leaves to achieve much higher concentrations for the “high.” Research indicates that 7-OH is 13-46 times more potent than morphine as a pain reliever and is considered highly addictive with regular use.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has listed kratom-derived products with concentrated levels of 7-OH as a Drug and Chemical of Concern. The DEA cautions that kratom/7-OH use can even lead to psychosis in some cases. Louisiana now becomes the 7th state in the country to ban kratom-derived products. Arkansas is among the six other states.
As the Louisiana Radio Network reports, some use kratom-related products to treat pain, anxiety or drug dependence and argue it has beneficial qualities. But, the law's author, Republican West Monroe Senator Jay Morris, says potential addiction and devastation outweigh any benefits. “Opioids are beneficial to people too. They are amazing pain relievers. But they are only used, unless somebody’s doing it illegally, with doctors’ orders and under [a] strict regulatory scheme.”
Senator Morris worries Kratom-derived products will return through states where it is still legal. He takes some solace in knowing it can no longer be sold in Louisiana gas stations and convenience stores. “It’s as easy as getting a candy bar. And so, that reduced accessibility does help.”
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 1.7 million people used kratom, among people aged 12 or older in 2021. Violators of the kratom ban face fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per offense. The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) released an advisory on the new law, cautioning that “offenders may also face up to five years of imprisonment, depending on the severity of the violation and the amount of Kratom involved.” The advisory added that repeat offenders could face higher fines and longer prison sentences.
