Louisiana Legislature Passes Kratom Ban Amid Growing Health and Legal Concerns

The Louisiana Legislature has passed a ban on kratom, the controversial herbal substance often sold in gas stations and convenience stores and marketed as a “natural” remedy for anxiety, pain, and opioid withdrawal. The bill received overwhelming support in the House with an 87-6 vote, following its previous passage in the Senate. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed the bill into law, and it will go into effect on August 1, 2025.

Sponsored by Sen. Jay Morris (R-West Monroe) and presented in the House by Rep. Debbie Villio (R-Kenner), SB154 criminalizes the possession and distribution of kratom in Louisiana. Possession of less than 20 grams would result in a $100 fine, while possession of more than 20 grams could carry up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine. Distributing kratom could lead to 1–5 years in prison or fines up to $50,000.

This legislative action comes after mounting concern from law enforcement, healthcare providers, and grieving families about kratom’s dangers, concerns echoed in a growing number of kratom lawsuits filed in Louisiana and across the country.

Opponents of the bill, including several lawmakers and kratom users, pushed for amendments to allow the sale of pure kratom leaf products while banning synthetically altered versions. They argued that kratom has helped treat chronic pain and opioid addiction for many Louisianans, but those amendments were ultimately rejected.

The bill’s passage follows conflicting testimony throughout the legislative process, with scientific research on kratom still limited and inconclusive. The FDA has not approved kratom for medical use and warns of serious side effects. Still, an estimated 300,000 Louisianans reportedly use kratom, and many say it has improved or even saved their lives.

Despite divided opinions, SB154 passed with bipartisan support, reflecting rising concern over kratom’s growing toll on Louisiana residents. If signed into law, Louisiana will join a growing number of states taking action against kratom amid rising public health concerns.

Why Is Kratom Controversial?

Kratom is derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, native to Southeast Asia. While it has been used traditionally in Thailand and Malaysia for centuries, kratom has exploded in popularity in the U.S. in recent decades, often marketed as a safe herbal supplement in the form of powders, capsules, pills, and liquid shots.

Advocates claim kratom helps relieve chronic pain, depression, and opioid withdrawal. However, critics argue that its unregulated, highly concentrated U.S. formulations are far more potent and dangerous than traditional uses.

The FDA has not approved kratom for any medical use and warns that it may cause addiction, liver toxicity, seizures, and death. The National Institute on Drug Abuse also reports that kratom’s effects vary widely and are still poorly understood.

Despite its dangers, kratom remains largely unregulated at the federal level. While the DEA classifies it as a “drug of concern,” it has not been added to the list of Schedule I controlled substances.

The American Kratom Association admits that only a small fraction of kratom brands are legitimate, and a major investigation by the Tampa Bay Times found that many products are mislabeled, contaminated, or dangerously potent.

Mixing kratom with other substances further increases its risks. Kratom can interfere with the body’s ability to metabolize medications, causing dangerous buildups in the bloodstream and increasing the risk of overdose.

Kratom Legal Action and Local Louisiana Bans

In October 2023, a St. Tammany Parish coroner issued a public warning after confirming a local woman’s death was caused by kratom toxicity. Kratom-related deaths have also been linked to lead contamination, salmonella, and dangerous drug interactions, especially when mixed with other medications.

The attorneys at Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain are at the forefront of kratom litigation in Louisiana. In 2023, the firm filed the state’s first wrongful death lawsuit involving kratom on behalf of a 25-year-old man from West Monroe who died after using an OPMS brand product purchased at a gas station.

That lawsuit alleges the kratom manufacturers and sellers failed to warn consumers about the product’s risks, violating the Louisiana Products Liability Act. After this tragic case was filed, the Ouachita Parish Police Jury banned kratom sales in unincorporated areas, and West Monroe followed with a citywide ban in February 2024.

With the passage of Louisiana’s statewide kratom ban, it’s another significant step forward in protecting the public from the dangers of this unregulated and potentially deadly substance. By criminalizing the sale and possession of kratom, lawmakers are acknowledging the growing evidence of harm and taking meaningful action to prevent future tragedies. At the same time, kratom lawsuits—like the one filed by HKGC on behalf of a West Monroe family—play a crucial role in holding negligent manufacturers and retailers accountable. Together, legislative efforts and legal action send a clear message: public safety must come before profits. These measures not only raise awareness of kratom’s risks but also help prevent more lives from being lost to a product that is too often marketed as safe and natural when it is anything but.

If you or someone you love has suffered harm due to kratom, you may be entitled to file a kratom lawsuit. Legal action can help families recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma, and more. Contact the Louisiana product liability attorneys at Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain today at 844-943-7626 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.