Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas and the Kansas City Council on Thursday passed a law banning the sale of synthetic kratom products and restricting how natural kratom can be sold, creating new compliance requirements for convenience retailers.
The ordinance targets unregulated products commonly sold at gas stations, convenience stores and vape shops that officials say pose risks to public health and safety.
“Gas station drugs are sold with virtually no oversight or safety testing,” Lucas said. “They’re marketed as legal alternatives, but they can be just as dangerous as illegal drugs—leading to addiction, overdoses and harming our neighborhoods and young people.”
Lucas introduced the proposal in December 2025. The final version bans synthetic versions of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). Last year, the FDA said it is recommending a scheduling action to control certain 7-OH products under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
Councilman Nathan Willett, co-sponsor on the ordinance, said "I'm grateful to the constituents who advocated to remove these harmful products from our gas stations and convenience stores.”
Under the law:
- Synthetic 7-OH products are banned.
- Kratom products that can be smoked, vaped or resemble candy are prohibited.
- Natural kratom may be sold only to those 21 and older.
- Businesses must obtain a city license to sell natural kratom.
Stores will have 60 days after the law takes effect to comply.
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