Is Kratom Legal in Rhode Island?
The Rhode Island Kratom Act was signed into law, reversing the state's ban on kratom and establishing a regulatory framework for its sale, effective April 1, 2026.
Rhode Island, which had banned kratom since 2017, reversed its prohibition with the Rhode Island Kratom Act, signed into law in July 2025 and becoming effective on April 1, 2026. This new framework allows for the legal sale of kratom products to adults aged 21 and older, subject to licensing requirements for manufacturers and retailers, mandatory labeling, and product-safety standards, including limits on 7-hydroxymitragynine content. The Rhode Island Department of Health and Division of Taxation are responsible for enforcement and tax collection, respectively. This clearly changes the status from 'RESTRICTED' (banned) to 'LEGAL' (regulated).
Update History
Jun 24, 2026Rhode Island Kratom Legal Status Update
Rhode Island — Rhode Island Kratom Act (2025-H 5565A, 2025-S 0792A, R.I. Gen. Laws Ch. 21-28.12): Rhode Island, which had banned kratom since 2017, reversed its prohibition with the Rhode Island Kratom Act, signed into law in July 2025 and becoming effective on April 1, 2026. This new framework allows for the legal sale of kratom products to adults aged 21 and older, subject to licensing requirements for manufacturers and retailers, mandatory labeling, and product-safety standards, including limits on 7-hydroxymitragynine content. The Rhode Island Department of Health and Division of Taxation are responsible for enforcement and tax collection, respectively. This clearly changes the status from 'RESTRICTED' (banned) to 'LEGAL' (regulated).. Status: LEGAL.
Rhode Island, which had banned kratom since 2017, reversed its prohibition with the Rhode Island Kratom Act, signed into law in July 2025 and becoming effective on April 1, 2026. This new framework allows for the legal sale of kratom products to adults aged 21 and older, subject to licensing requirements for manufacturers and retailers, mandatory labeling, and product-safety standards, including limits on 7-hydroxymitragynine content. The Rhode Island Department of Health and Division of Taxation are responsible for enforcement and tax collection, respectively. This clearly changes the status from 'RESTRICTED' (banned) to 'LEGAL' (regulated).
Sources: Link 1
Jun 20, 2026Rhode Island Kratom Legal Status Update
Rhode Island — RI General Law § 21-28.12: Rhode Island previously classified kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance, making it illegal. The Rhode Island Kratom Act was approved in 2025 and became effective on April 1, 2026, moving the state from a 'BANNED' status to a 'RESTRICTED' (regulated) status. The Act requires licenses for selling and manufacturing kratom, prohibits sales to individuals under 21, mandates specific labeling and packaging, and bans synthetic alkaloids and certain concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragynine. The official Rhode Island Department of Health website outlines these regulations as effective from April 1, 2026.. Status: RESTRICTED.
Rhode Island previously classified kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance, making it illegal. The Rhode Island Kratom Act was approved in 2025 and became effective on April 1, 2026, moving the state from a 'BANNED' status to a 'RESTRICTED' (regulated) status. The Act requires licenses for selling and manufacturing kratom, prohibits sales to individuals under 21, mandates specific labeling and packaging, and bans synthetic alkaloids and certain concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragynine. The official Rhode Island Department of Health website outlines these regulations as effective from April 1, 2026.
Sources: Link 1
May 26, 2026Rhode Island Kratom Legal Status Update
Rhode Island — RI General Law § 21-28.12: Rhode Island previously banned kratom by classifying its primary alkaloids as Schedule I controlled substances in 2017. The Rhode Island Kratom Act (2025-H 5565A, 2025-S 0792A) was passed and became effective on April 1, 2026, replacing the prohibition with sensible regulations. The new law requires licenses for manufacturing and selling kratom, prohibits sales to individuals under 21, and mandates specific labeling and packaging standards, while also banning products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). The Rhode Island Department of Health is responsible for overseeing and enforcing these requirements.. Status: LEGAL.
Rhode Island previously banned kratom by classifying its primary alkaloids as Schedule I controlled substances in 2017. The Rhode Island Kratom Act (2025-H 5565A, 2025-S 0792A) was passed and became effective on April 1, 2026, replacing the prohibition with sensible regulations. The new law requires licenses for manufacturing and selling kratom, prohibits sales to individuals under 21, and mandates specific labeling and packaging standards, while also banning products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). The Rhode Island Department of Health is responsible for overseeing and enforcing these requirements.
Sources: Link 1
Apr 16, 2026Rhode Island Kratom Legal Status Update
Rhode Island — HB 5565 / SB 792 (The Rhode Island Kratom Act): The 'Rhode Island Kratom Act' (HB 5565/SB 792) came into effect on April 1, 2026. This legislation makes Rhode Island the first state to overturn a former Schedule I ban (enacted in 2017) and instead regulate kratom. The law requires kratom products to be kept behind sales counters, prohibits sales to anyone under 21, and does not allow the sale of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products. It also establishes a licensing system for manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers, and imposes a 15% tax on wholesale kratom sales.. Status: RESTRICTED.
The 'Rhode Island Kratom Act' (HB 5565/SB 792) came into effect on April 1, 2026. This legislation makes Rhode Island the first state to overturn a former Schedule I ban (enacted in 2017) and instead regulate kratom. The law requires kratom products to be kept behind sales counters, prohibits sales to anyone under 21, and does not allow the sale of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products. It also establishes a licensing system for manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers, and imposes a 15% tax on wholesale kratom sales.
Sources: Link 1
Apr 3, 2026Rhode Island Kratom Legal Status Update
Rhode Island — RI General Law § 21-28.12; HB 5565 (2025 legislative session): Prior to April 1, 2026, kratom's primary alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, were classified as Schedule I controlled substances in Rhode Island, effectively banning the substance. The Rhode Island Kratom Act (RI General Law § 21-28.12), passed in 2025, reverses this ban. The law, which became effective on April 1, 2026, allows for the sale and manufacture of kratom products, establishes a minimum age of 21 for purchasers, and mandates specific labeling and packaging standards. The Rhode Island Department of Health's Center for Food Protection is tasked with overseeing and enforcing these new requirements. Legislation has also been recently introduced (2026-H 7518, filed March 19, 2026) to require kratom products to be kept in locked cases behind sales counters, reflecting ongoing legislative consideration as the new regulations take effect.. Status: LEGAL.
Prior to April 1, 2026, kratom's primary alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, were classified as Schedule I controlled substances in Rhode Island, effectively banning the substance. The Rhode Island Kratom Act (RI General Law § 21-28.12), passed in 2025, reverses this ban. The law, which became effective on April 1, 2026, allows for the sale and manufacture of kratom products, establishes a minimum age of 21 for purchasers, and mandates specific labeling and packaging standards. The Rhode Island Department of Health's Center for Food Protection is tasked with overseeing and enforcing these new requirements. Legislation has also been recently introduced (2026-H 7518, filed March 19, 2026) to require kratom products to be kept in locked cases behind sales counters, reflecting ongoing legislative consideration as the new regulations take effect.
Sources: Link 1
Mar 9, 2026Rhode Island Kratom Legal Status Update
From Kratom Ban Legislation Search: proposed status change to BANNED. Total ban; new regulatory act effective April 1, 2026
Source: Kratom Ban Legislation Search Total ban; new regulatory act effective April 1, 2026