Michigan House Passes Bill to Ban Kratom, Synthetic Variants From Market

Michigan House Passes Bill to Ban Kratom, Synthetic Variants From Market

The Michigan House of Representatives on March 18 approved House Bill 5537, legislation that would make it illegal to manufacture, sell or distribute kratom and its synthetic variants across the state. The bill now awaits consideration by the Michigan Senate.

Representative Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, who introduced the bill, said the legislation addresses what he describes as a growing crisis involving the substance. According to a March 18 release, Cavitt stated, "What we are experiencing with kratom is a crisis. These products are being marketed towards our kids, and many parents aren't even aware that it is happening. Our children are being poisoned by products that they can easily purchase at gas stations."

The bill would prohibit a wide range of activities involving kratom, including growing, synthesizing, importing, giving away or offering kratom for sale. The legislation defines kratom as any product containing parts of the plant Mitragyna speciosa, including the leaves, extracts and derivatives. The bill also explicitly bans synthetic versions of the substance, such as 7-hydroxymitragynine.

An exception outlined in the legislation is for kratom products approved by the FDA as a drug, dietary supplement or food additive. However, that exemption would not apply to synthetic variants.

Medical Concerns and Public Safety

Many health experts say the substance is linked to numerous medical concerns, including seizures and withdrawal symptoms similar to that of opioids. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has listed kratom as a Drug and Chemical of Concern, meaning the agency does not regulate the substance but does believe there are risks to individuals who abuse it.

A February 2026 Michigan Medicine article detailed how an individual got addicted to 7-OH pills by taking a free sample from a local smoke shop. The article noted that kratom packaging emphasizes its plant-based nature, while 7-OH products often have colorful packaging, a candy-like appearance and fruity flavors. The article stated that 7-OH, which is made in a lab and not from the kratom plant, is 10 times more potent and addictive than the main active component of kratom, and has been associated with fatal overdoses.

Penalties and Enforcement

Under HB 5537, anyone who violates the ban would face misdemeanor charges. A first offense could bring up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Penalties would increase for repeat violations, with the second offense carrying up to 180 days in jail and fines of up to $10,000, per the legislation.

The bill also includes stricter consequences for cases involving minors. Selling or distributing kratom to someone under the age of 18 could result in up to one year of jail and a fine up to $10,000. Repeat offenses could face fines as much as $20,000.

National Context

Michigan would join a small number of states that have moved to ban or heavily restrict kratom if the legislation is approved by the Senate and signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Kratom remains illegal to buy, sell or possess in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. Other states have legal or regulated kratom, with some implementing kratom consumer protection acts.

The House bill passed 56-48 on March 18, marking significant Republican support for the measure. State Representative Doug Wozniak voted in support of the measure, describing kratom as "gas station heroin" and taking action to protect Michigan families from a dangerous and largely unregulated substance.

Legislative Process

HB 5537 now heads to the Michigan Senate for consideration. The Senate must vote on the bill before it can be sent to Governor Whitmer's desk for her signature. If approved by the Senate and signed into law, Michigan would join the growing number of states taking action to restrict access to the substance.

The debate over kratom regulation continues to evolve across the country, with states taking different approaches ranging from complete bans to consumer protection measures. Michigan's proposed legislation takes a more restrictive approach, focusing on prohibiting the substance entirely rather than regulating its sale and distribution under specific conditions.