LANSING – Michigan lawmakers are weighing a proposal that would outlaw kratom statewide — a move that would place the state alongside a small but growing list of states banning the controversial herbal product.

The legislation, introduced in Lansing this week, would prohibit the sale and cultivation of kratom in Michigan and impose penalties on violators. If enacted, Michigan would join states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin, where kratom is already illegal.

The proposal comes as kratom’s popularity grows nationwide — and as regulators debate whether the plant is a public health threat or an under-regulated wellness product.

Kratom comes from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Traditionally, laborers in countries like Thailand and Indonesia chewed the leaves to combat fatigue and relieve pain.

In the United States, kratom is typically sold as:

  • Powder

  • Capsules

  • Concentrated extracts

  • Beverages or teas

It is commonly available in smoke shops, convenience stores and online retailers.

At low doses, kratom can act as a stimulant. At higher doses, it interacts with opioid receptors in the brain, producing sedative and pain-relieving effects. That opioid-like activity is what places kratom at the center of the debate.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved kratom for medical use and has warned about safety risks, including dependency and withdrawal symptoms.

How Big Is the Kratom Market?

Kratom is no fringe product.

Industry research firms estimate the global kratom market at roughly $2–3 billion in 2025, with projections showing rapid growth over the next several years. Some forecasts suggest the global market could more than double by the end of the decade.

In the United States, federal survey data indicate approximately 1.6 to 1.7 million Americans reported using kratom in the past year. Advocacy groups argue the number is significantly higher — potentially in the 10–15 million range — though those figures are not government estimates.

There is no official breakdown of kratom sales by state. Michigan does not currently require kratom sellers to report revenue, making precise figures unavailable.

However, Michigan represents roughly 3 percent of the U.S. population. If usage patterns mirror national averages, analysts suggest Michigan’s kratom market could fall into the low tens of millions of dollars annually — though that remains a rough estimate rather than documented revenue.

Compared with Michigan’s cannabis industry — which generates billions annually — kratom is small. But for gas stations, smoke shops and specialty retailers, it can represent a meaningful revenue stream.

Why Do People Use Kratom?

Supporters say kratom fills gaps left by traditional medicine.

Common self-reported uses include:

  • Chronic pain relief

  • Mood enhancement

  • Anxiety reduction

  • Increased energy (low doses)

  • Easing opioid withdrawal symptoms

Some former opioid users argue kratom has helped them avoid more dangerous substances. Critics counter that kratom itself can cause dependence and that unregulated products may contain contaminants or synthetic additives.

One compound drawing particular concern is 7-hydroxymitragynine, a more potent alkaloid found in some concentrated kratom extracts. Several states have specifically targeted that derivative in regulatory actions.

Where Is Kratom Illegal?

Michigan would not be acting alone if it passes a ban.

Kratom is currently illegal in:

  • Alabama

  • Arkansas

  • Indiana

  • Louisiana

  • Rhode Island

  • Vermont

  • Wisconsin

Other states have debated bans or imposed temporary restrictions. Some jurisdictions have opted instead for regulatory approaches, including age limits, labeling rules and product testing requirements.

The legal landscape remains patchwork nationwide.

The Michigan Debate

The Michigan proposal would prohibit the sale and production of kratom statewide, potentially making possession and distribution subject to criminal penalties.

Supporters of the ban argue:

  • Kratom’s opioid-like properties present public health risks

  • Products are largely unregulated

  • Potency and contamination vary widely

  • Consumers may mistakenly believe it is “FDA approved”

Opponents argue:

  • Millions use kratom without incident

  • A ban would drive sales underground

  • Regulation, not prohibition, is the safer approach

  • Some individuals rely on kratom as an alternative to opioids

The debate mirrors earlier policy battles over cannabis, hemp-derived THC products and synthetic cannabinoids — areas where Michigan has alternated between prohibition and regulated legalization.

Economic Impact: Small But Visible

If Michigan bans kratom, the overall state economy would likely see minimal macroeconomic impact. Even a $20–40 million annual market would be small relative to Michigan’s $600+ billion gross state product.

However, the impact could be concentrated among:

  • Smoke shops

  • Convenience stores

  • Supplement retailers

  • Online sellers shipping into Michigan

Retailers would lose product revenue. Consumers who currently purchase kratom legally could turn to online or out-of-state suppliers.

That dynamic has played out in other states that enacted bans, though reliable post-ban sales data are limited.

What Happens Next?

The bill must move through committee hearings and floor votes before becoming law. Stakeholder testimony — including medical experts, law enforcement and kratom advocates — is expected to shape the debate.

Michigan lawmakers face a familiar question: regulate or prohibit?

Kratom sits in a gray zone — legal federally, unapproved medically, widely sold commercially and used by millions.

Whether Michigan chooses to ban it outright or pursue regulation, the vote will place the state squarely in the middle of a national conversation about herbal supplements, consumer safety and public health policy.

For now, kratom remains legal in Michigan.

But that may not last long.