After years of rising concern over the dangers of kratom, a new law banning the substance statewide has been signed into law following strong advocacy by district attorneys, sheriffs, and grieving families from across Louisiana.
Senate Bill 154, now Act 4, authored by Senator Jay Morris of West Monroe, criminalizes the possession, sale, and distribution of kratom and its active chemical compounds. The legislation received overwhelming bipartisan support in the 2025 Regular Session, passing the House of Representatives 89–5 and the Senate 26–11.
Kratom, a substance derived from the Asian Mitragyna tree, is often sold in gas stations and smoke shops and marketed as a natural supplement for pain, anxiety, or focus. But medical experts and law enforcement warn that kratom interacts with opioid receptors and has been linked to seizures, liver toxicity, addiction, and death— particularly when used alongside other substances.
Among the most vocal advocates for the legislation was Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain, who testified before the Senate Judiciary ‘B’ Committee about the firsthand impact of kratom in his community.
“A few years ago, I had teachers come to me worried about students hallucinating and even overdosing after using kratom,” McCain said. “At the same time, I had parents raising the same concerns about their kids. So I sent undercover deputies into convenience stores across the parish—and every single one of them came back with kratom in hand. One cashier even told the deputy, ‘When I’m out of meth and don’t have any money, this is what I take.’ That’s when I knew we had a serious problem.”
Although Grant Parish had already passed a local ordinance banning kratom, Sheriff McCain noted that people were simply traveling to neighboring parishes where kratom remained legal. “People just drive a few miles to the next parish to get it,” he said. “Our local law can’t stop what’s happening at the regional level. This bill gives us the tools we need.”
Senator Morris said the product’s unregulated status and deceptive marketing made it especially dangerous. “You can go online and get it for free,” Morris told the committee. “They’ll send it to you. They want to hook you on it so you’ll become a repeat customer.” He emphasized that kratom is addictive, causes withdrawal symptoms, and is being sold with no oversight to unsuspecting consumers. “We’re not trying to ban every herbal supplement,” Morris said. “This one is different. It’s dangerous, it’s being abused, and people are dying.”
The law was strongly backed by the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association, and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. It classifies the components of kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, as Schedule I controlled substances under Louisiana law and includes both misdemeanor and felony penalties depending on the amount involved and the nature of the offense.
Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington discussed the bill after a committee hearing and said kratom is an emerging threat that has taken advantage of gaps in the law. “Kratom has slipped through the cracks of regulation, leaving families to deal with the deadly consequences,” Harrington said. “I’ve seen the damage it causes. This bipartisan law brings clarity and accountability—and will absolutely save lives.”
Governor Jeff Landry signed the bill into law on June 10 at a formal signing event at the State Capitol. In attendance were family members who lost loved ones due to the harmful effects of kratom use. During the event, Governor Landry described the legislation as long overdue and said it would save lives. He added that if the law had been in place sooner, some of the pain these families now carry might have been prevented.
Under the new statute, which takes effect August 1, 2025, any unlawful possession of kratom may result in substantial fines and jail time, with more severe consequences for larger amounts or repeat violations. Those convicted of manufacturing or distributing kratom can face up to five years in prison and fines of up to $50,000.
District Attorney Harrington added that with the law now in effect, parents have an added layer of protection to help keep kratom—often easily accessible online and in stores—away from their children. “We’ve seen young people access kratom easily— sold over the counter with no safeguards and marketed like it’s harmless,” Harrington said. “This law gives law enforcement the authority to intervene and helps keep dangerous substances out of our communities.”
