Even though Rhode Island is the smallest state in the nation, it has the most coastline relative to its small size. It has been nicknamed the “Ocean State” for its more than 400 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline. Despite the state’s beauty, one negative aspect of Rhode Island is that in 2017, kratom became illegal. This article will explore how that came to be.

• History of Kratom in Rhode Island
• Classification of Kratom in Rhode Island
• Purchasing and shipping Kratom in Rhode Island
• Advocacy by the American Kratom Association

History of kratom in Rhode Island

In early 2017, Rhode Island’s Department of Health classified the two primary alkaloids in kratom, mitragynine and 6-hydroxymitragynine, as Schedule 1 Controlled Substances. Under Rhode Island’s Controlled Substances Act, the Department of Health acted quickly without much notice or hearings after learning of several deaths from what later turned out to be adulterated kratom. As a result, Rhode Island joined a few select states that ban kratom: Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

In 2019, House Bill 5542 would have legalized kratom by creating the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. The bill would have made kratom legal for those over 18 and called for strict regulations on what vendors could sell as kratom. The bill, strongly supported by the American Kratom Association, died in committee.

Classification of kratom in Rhode Island

The classification of kratom’s primary alkaloids as Schedule 1 substances imposes stiff penalties. In addition, the state ruling goes against federal agencies who reversed a similar decision and chose not to include kratom as a Schedule 1 drug.

Purchasing and shipping kratom in Rhode Island

Due to Rhode Island’s current laws, purchasing, possessing, and distributing kratom is illegal. The law also restricts Rhode Island residents from buying it online. While you can place the order in your virtual shopping cart, the vendor will refuse your order when you are prompted to pay.

Advocacy by the American Kratom Association

The American Kratom Association (AKA), an advocacy organization, has been working since 2014 to make kratom legal in all 50 states. While HB5542 did not pass, a similar bill was introduced the following year. HB 5909 would have legalized and regulated kratom and controlled the distribution of food products containing kratom. Unfortunately, that bill also died in committee.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KPCA), promoted by the AKA, encourages advocacy for the nationwide legalization and regulation of kratom and calls for more research. For more information on how to help make kratom legal, go to this page on the AKA website. To see if kratom is currently legal in your state, check out this interactive Kratom legality map.