Is kratom legal in Illinois? Is it regulated? Why do some cities have anti-kratom laws on the books?
We hear these questions all the time. Kratom is a bit of a complicated subject in Illinois. It’s 100% legal in the state and yet restricted in certain areas. It’s more tightly regulated than in most states but far less regulated than advocates would like. If, like many people, you’re confused about the legal status of kratom in Illinois, we’re here to break it down for you.
Is Kratom Legal in Illinois?
Yes, as of 2023, kratom is legal in Illinois. You can enjoy your favorite kratom powders in most locations. There have been a few legislative efforts to ban kratom in Illinois, including a 2018 bill that would have made kratom possession a class B misdemeanor—but such efforts have been unsuccessful.
The only stipulation is that you must be at least 18 years of age to buy or possess kratom in the Prairie State. This law—the Kratom Control Act—was established in 2014 with the goal of keeping kratom out of the hands of minors. The Act stipulates that it’s a class B misdemeanor for a minor to purchase kratom and also for any business to knowingly sell kratom to a minor. Any violation of this law can incur a minimum $500 fine.
The Kratom Control Act vs The Kratom Consumer Protection Act
Since it’s one of the few states that has introduced any kratom regulations, Illinois is sometimes lumped together with states that have enacted the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). The Kratom Consumer Protection Act is a robust set of guidelines designed by the American Kratom Association (AKA). The KCPA has been most notably made law in states like Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Utah. But while it shares some similarities with Illinois’ Kratom Control Act, it’s not quite the same thing.
Similarities
The key similarity between the KCPA and the Kratom Control Act is the age restriction. One of the primary missions of the KCPA is to keep kratom out of the hands of children. So every version of the KCPA includes an age restriction—some states limit kratom to buyers over 18, and some states place the minimum age at 21.
The Kratom Control Act, which was implemented long before any version of the KCPA, limits kratom possession to individuals over 18 years of age. The light misdemeanor penalty is also similar to the penalty imposed by most versions of the KCPA. However, the KCPA goes much further than simply checking IDs at the door.
Differences
The age restriction is the only regulation for kratom in Illinois. But in states with the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, you’ll find much more stringent regulations, including:
- Third-party lab testing requirements
- Limits to the kinds of ingredients permitted (synthetic ingredients and non-kratom ingredients are typically prohibited)
- Limits to alkaloid concentrations (you’ll usually find a limit of no more than 2% 7-hydroxymitragynine)
- A requirement that kratom manufacturers and vendors register with the state
- Labeling and packaging requirements designed to protect children and provide transparency to buyers
None of these requirements currently exist in Illinois. For this reason, it’s important to shop carefully. Stick with reputable vendors, do your research, and always check the lab report.
Will the KCPA Come to Illinois?
There have been attempts to bring the Kratom Consumer Protection Act to Illinois. In 2020, Rep. Marcus Evans introduced House Bill 4681, which would have tasked the Illinois Department of Public Health with overseeing the very types of regulations noted above.
The 18-and-over age restriction would have remained in place, and synthetic alkaloids would have been explicitly banned. The bill also sought to impose the aforementioned 7-hydroxymitragynine limit and hold manufacturers accountable for the accuracy of their product labels. The bill ultimately died in committee and was unsuccessful.
However, the American Kratom Association is still working with representatives across the nation in the hopes that more states will enact the KCPA. The movement has a lot of momentum, so we may yet see sweeping kratom safety regulations in the Prairie State.
Local Bans on Kratom in Illinois
Although kratom is legal in Illinois, a few local communities have taken steps to ban the substance. Kratom is currently prohibited in the following cities and townships:
- Jerseyville
- Alton
- Glen Carbon
- Edwardsville
- Naperville
Alton and Jerseyville were the first communities to ban kratom in Illinois. Glen Carbon followed suit in 2019, followed by Edwardsville in 2020. Naperville didn’t ban kratom, but it did impose a higher minimum age than the rest of the state. If you want to buy kratom in Naperville, you have to be at least 21 years of age.
In addition, keep in mind that kratom is illegal in both Indiana and Wisconsin, so if you’re considering a road trip across the Illinois border, you’ll want to plan accordingly.
Buying Kratom in Illinois
The good news is that, for the vast majority of buyers in Illinois, kratom legality won’t be a problem. So if you’re looking to stock up on kratom capsules in Springfield, Chicago, or Peoria, you shouldn’t run into any trouble.
Just be sure to shop smart when buying kratom in Illinois. Always do your homework when you buy kratom online or in stores, so you know what goes into your products. Make sure that third-party lab testing is conducted. Research the brand and their reputation. Most importantly, know your ingredients. Your kratom should be 100% all-natural.
At Kratora, you never have to worry about where your kratom comes from or what’s inside it. All of our kratom products are pure and natural, sourced from partner kratom farms in Indonesia. We’ve been a trusted source since 2013, and we ensure that all of our kratom is lab tested. So if you’re looking for a place to buy kratom in Illinois, skip the local stores and go with the industry leader.
Want to learn more about kratom quality and value? Start here:
Why Buying Cheap Kratom Can Be Dangerous
