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Kratom is popular with users but controversial among legislators. And with kratom now increasingly part of mainstream society, its legality is a hot-button issue at the federal and state level. Since you are here, you must be wondering, “Is kratom legal in Missouri?”
Absolutely! As of February 2023, kratom is legal in Missouri for people aged 21 and over. But that is only the beginning of the story. In this post, I will discuss why Missouri allows kratom, the threats to legal access, and any caveats you should know about.
I visit family in St Louis sometimes and take a keen interest in Missouri’s kratom market. And as a nerd for all that complex legal stuff, I can simplify those confusing bills for you and pick out the key bits. So, let’s do it.
Is Kratom Legal in Missouri?
Missouri’s state government takes no position on kratom, neither banning nor regulating the substance. As such, everything to do with kratom is legal in the Show-Me State!
That said, St Charles County has a Kratom Registry Law. Passed in 2019, the law requires kratom vendors to register with the county. Each registration costs $600 and lasts two years.
However, Missouri shares a border with Arkansas, a state where kratom is very much illegal. With jail time possible for mere kratom possession, be extra careful if you live near the border. Accidentally crossing state lines and getting caught with kratom will have severe consequences.
History of Kratom Legislation in Missouri
As of February 2023, Missouri’s kratom market is unregulated. Some lawmakers have tried to make the substance illegal, while others have attempted to pass the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. But none of these efforts have been successful.
Kratom became a hot topic in Missouri in 2019. Supposedly kratom-related sickness, overdoses, and deaths had been high on the national agenda. Unsurprisingly, lawmakers in the Show-Me State began debating how to approach the plant.
Amazingly, Councilman Joe Cronin of St Charles County tried kratom for himself! Instead of feeling intoxicated and drugged up, Cronin claimed it eased his shoulder discomfort and helped him to get on with making some home improvements.
January 2020 Ban Attempt
On January 8, 2020, Senator Robert Onder (R) introduced a bill to make kratom a Schedule I controlled substance to the Missouri Senate. The worrying Senate Bill 765 (MO SB765) went after the entire Mitragyna speciosa plant rather than singling out specific alkaloids.
Schedule I substances are deemed to have no approved medical use in the United States and are considered to have a high potential for abuse. Making kratom a Schedule I drug would have classified it alongside meth, heroin, and LSD.
Thankfully, this overreaction did not pass water. MO SB765 died in committee a few weeks after being presented to the Senate. But the bill put kratom activists in Missouri on alert.
Missouri Kratom Consumer Protection Act
Sensible legislators recognized that contaminated and adulterated products were causing the bulk of the kratom-related problems in Missouri.
Instead of banning the plant, some proposed that regulating the market and getting the bad actors out of the scene was the best way forward.
In 2020, Representative Phil Christofanelli (R) introduced House Bill 2061 (MO HB2061), a version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). The Missouri House of Representatives approved the bill by a 139-6 margin, but it sadly died in the Senate.
Undeterred, Christofanelli tried again in early 2021 with House Bill 350 (MO HB350). On this occasion, the House unanimously passed the bill. But it died in the Senate once again.
The third time should have been the charm! Christofanelli’s House Bill 1667 (MO HB1667) easily passed the House and Senate in mid-2022. Unfortunately, Missouri Governor Mike Parson (R) vetoed the bill, citing that kratom has no FDA-approved uses.
Parson also argued that the Missouri Merchandizing Practices Act allows for proper packaging and labeling, as called for by the KCPA.
But I cannot help thinking that Missouri’s kratom industry would have benefitted from some focused legislation.
Will Kratom Remain Legal in Missouri?
The wind is blowing more toward regulation than prohibition in Missouri. But kratom’s legal status is still precarious while the industry is unregulated. Not demanding high standards of processors and vendors increases the risk of dangerous and sketchy stuff making it to market.
However, even though the most recent KCPA did not become law, I was encouraged to see it pass the House and Senate. It showed that legislators see the benefits of regulation.
Kratom at the Federal Level
With Governor Parson referencing the FDA’s stance on kratom, any changes at the federal level might be mirrored in Missouri. The federal government is not actively looking to ban kratom. But the DEA pushed to make it a Schedule I controlled substance in 2016.
Some in Congress would like to see kratom industry regulation on a national level. If something like the KCPA ever passes in D.C., Missouri could enact an identical bill into state law.
Where to Buy Kratom Products in Missouri?
You will find various vendors selling kratom products in Missouri. Some stores specialize in kratom and other botanical extracts, whereas others sell kratom products on the side. As a rule, I avoid gas stations and convenience stores in favor of the kratom specialists.
And even though many brick-and-mortar retailers sell kratom, I do most of my shopping online. It suits me better, and it's cheaper, especially when I can take advantage of a free shipping offer! Physical vendors just cannot match online kratom stores on price.
But do your research whether you buy on the web or in person. Since Missouri does not regulate kratom, the responsibility falls on the brands to show they are genuine. Don’t purchase products without a third-party certificate from an independent lab.
If you are in Missouri and don’t want to wait for your kratom to ship through the mail, buying from the store is your only option! I have selected three physical places to buy kratom from in the Show-Me State.
Final Thoughts
Missouri takes a keen interest in kratom but has not passed a bill to ban or regulate it. The state should have joined Utah, Arizona, and others in approving the KCPA - the failure to do so was a frustrating setback. But the main thing is that kratom is legal in Missouri!