North Dakota's governor declared a public health emergency and banned the sale and use of kratom across the entire state, according to a report by Valley News Live.
The action makes North Dakota the first state to issue a statewide public health emergency specifically over kratom, a plant-based substance derived from a tree native to Southeast Asia. Kratom has been sold in the United States in stores and online, often marketed as a supplement or herbal product. It has been used by some people seeking relief from pain or opioid withdrawal symptoms, but federal regulators and health officials have raised concerns about its safety.
The governor's declaration bans kratom statewide and takes effect immediately. The move goes further than actions taken by other states, some of which have restricted kratom sales or required age verification, but have stopped short of full bans.
Health officials and regulators have debated kratom's legal status for years. The Drug Enforcement Administration previously moved to classify kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance but withdrew that proposal after public pushback. The FDA has issued warnings about kratom, citing risks including addiction, abuse, and serious health consequences.
The North Dakota declaration signals a shift toward more aggressive state-level action on the substance at a time when federal policy on kratom remains unsettled.
