North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong has signed legislation banning synthetic kratom products while restricting the sale of natural kratom to people 21 and older, replacing a temporary statewide prohibition imposed earlier this summer.
House Bill 1628 cleared the Legislature during a three-day special session and creates a new regulatory framework for kratom products sold in the state.
The law bans synthetic derivatives including concentrated 7-OH, MGM-15, MGM-16 and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl. Natural kratom products remain legal under the new framework but will be subject to age restrictions, labeling requirements and state oversight.
Retailers will have to obtain an annual license from the Attorney General’s Office, and products must disclose their levels of mitragynine and 7-OH based on testing from an accredited laboratory approved by the state. Packaging also cannot imitate candy or be marketed in a way designed to appeal to children.
Selling kratom without a license will be punishable as a Class B misdemeanor.
The sale of all kratom products will remain prohibited until administrative rules implementing the new law are in place.
Armstrong had previously declared a public-health emergency and temporarily banned the sale, use and possession of all kratom products beginning Aug. 5. He also approved an emergency rule classifying several kratom-related compounds as Schedule I controlled substances.
With the new law in place, Armstrong rescinded that executive order.
Attorney General Drew Wrigley said the legislation establishes meaningful restrictions on products that remain legal while permanently banning synthetic forms that state officials have identified as the greater public-health concern.
The law follows increasing scrutiny of kratom at both the state and federal levels. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved kratom for any medical use and has warned of potential risks including liver toxicity, seizures and substance-use disorder.
North Dakota officials said the legislation is intended to restrict access to concentrated and synthetic compounds while establishing tighter controls over natural kratom products that remain on the market.
By: Montana Newsroom News Wire
Sources: North Dakota Office of the Governor; North Dakota Legislative Assembly.