Is kratom legal in Arkansas?
Direct answer
Kratom is a Schedule I controlled substance in Arkansas. Possession and sale are illegal. Banned since 2016.
Status
Illegal
Age requirement
No state rule
KCPA status
No KCPA
Last reviewed
2026-04-19
Penalties
Possession
Class D felony — 0–6 years prison and up to $10,000 fine for simple possession. Diversion and probation are sometimes available for first-time small-quantity offenders.
Sale / distribution
Class C felony — 3–10 years prison for distribution of any amount.
How Arkansas got here
Arkansas scheduled mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in 2016 via a state Department of Health emergency rule-making after the FDA added kratom to its "drugs of concern" list in 2014. The emergency scheduling was made permanent through the Arkansas Uniform Controlled Substances Act later that year. Repeal bills have been filed every session since 2019; none have passed. A 2023 bill to reclassify kratom as an unscheduled dietary supplement died in the Public Health Committee.
What you can do
Do not purchase, possess, or accept shipment of kratom in Arkansas. Legal alternatives include kava (no state regulation) and CBD products (legal under the 2019 Arkansas Hemp Production Act).
Pending legislation
Active bills
No active bill as of April 2026. The American Kratom Association is organizing grassroots lobbying ahead of the 2027 legislative session.
Traveling through Arkansas
I-40, I-30, and I-55 all run through Arkansas. Transporting kratom across state lines through AR is a possession offense. Legal alternative: ship to your destination directly rather than driving with product.
Enforcement patterns
Typical enforcement pattern is smoke-shop inspections triggered by complaints. Criminal possession prosecutions are less common but not rare.
Frequently asked — Arkansas
Is CBD legal in Arkansas? +
Yes — hemp-derived CBD is legal under the 2019 Arkansas Hemp Production Act. This is unrelated to kratom status.
What about delta-8 THC? +
Delta-8 is currently in legal grey area in Arkansas and has been the subject of state-level enforcement actions. Different legal framework from kratom.
Can I drive through Arkansas with kratom? +
No. Possession of kratom alkaloids in Arkansas is a felony regardless of where they were purchased. Route around AR if possible.
Neighboring states
Related
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