North Dakota statewide kratom ban now in effect; Medical expert raises fentanyl risk concern

What it is about

Who published it, and when

How it spread - 33 original reports, 2 reprints

1. Fri, 7 August 2026

   2 reports
   • valleynewslive.com02:14first to report
     North Dakota statewide kratom ban now in effect; Medical expert raises fentanyl risk concern

     Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed an executive order Tuesday also classifying 7-hydroxymitragynine, known as 7-OH, as a Schedule 1 controlled substance.

   • wahpetondailynews.com17:31
     North Dakota lawmakers call for regulation of kratom over 'flat-out ban'

     All kratom products are banned ahead of a special session slated for Sept. 2. Legislators on Friday suggested regulation over prohibition.

2. Sat, 8 August 2026

   1 report
   • wahpetondailynews.com09:30
     What is kratom, and why are some concerned about North Dakota banning it with little notice?

     North Dakota's governor banned kratom products effective 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5. While experts agreed regulation is needed, some wonder if the quick prohibition will cause withdrawals.

3. Sun, 9 August 2026

   1 report
   • wahpetondailynews.com14:59
     Port: North Dakota's kratom crisis is very real, and very big

     "Those suggesting that a special session of the legislature to address the drug isn't necessary are being foolish," Rob Port writes.

4. Wed, 12 August 2026

   2 reports
   • kfyrtv.com22:37
     Working group meets at the Capitol to discuss upcoming legislation on kratom

     Many different advocacy groups and organizations gathered to present research and opinions on kratom and 7-OH, the potent opioid alkaloid found in the substance.

   • thedickinsonpress.com23:36
     Bills deadline for North Dakota special session approaches as more testify on kratom ban

     Some say kratom saved their lives, while one mother said the substance was found in the body of her son when he died from an overdose.

5. Thu, 13 August 2026

   1 report
   • kfgo.com12:07
     North Dakota lawmakers’ kratom group leans toward synthetics ban, ponders natural products

     BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) - North Dakota lawmakers are grappling with how to restrict kratom and r...

6. Thu, 20 August 2026

   1 report
   • kfyrtv.com23:59removed by the outlet
     Health care providers warn of kratom withdrawal after ban

     There is no set treatment for patients who are going through withdrawal, and medical experts are still determining how to treat the symptoms.

7. Sun, 23 August 2026

   1 report
   • inforum.com10:01
     Second special session expected to cost North Dakota more than $200K. Is it worth it?

     Gov. Kelly Armstrong called the special session to address a lack of kratom regulations. It's the first time North Dakota will have more than one special session between regular sessions.

     1 reprint

     • jamestownsun.com23 Aug, 10:01their copy
8. Tue, 25 August 2026

   1 report
   • kfyrtv.com01:07
     Kratom ban raises concerns over withdrawal & overdose risks

     After Gov. Armstrong banned kratom; professionals in health care have expressed concerns about users going through withdrawal and people addicted to the substance who may be at risk for overdosing.

9. Fri, 28 August 2026

   1 report
   • dglobe.com22:30
     Despite overall decline in overdoses, increasing kratom use a concern in Minnesota

     Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia that's legally sold in capsules, powders, gummies and drinks as energy boosters or pain relievers in gas stations and smoke shops across the state.

10. Sat, 29 August 2026

    1 report
    • minotdailynews.com09:00
      Governor to deliver State of the State address

      BISMARCK – Gov. Kelly Armstrong will deliver a State of the State address to a special session of the 69th Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the House of Representatives chamber of the North Dakota Capitol, Bismarck. The address will begin at about 10 a.m. and will be livestreamed on the Legislature’s website. The […]

11. Mon, 31 August 2026

    1 report
    • phillyvoice.com22:01
      DAs in Bucks and Chester counties urge Pa. officials to declare emergency ban on kratom products

      The prosecutors asked the state's health secretary to immediately schedule the supplement as a controlled substance.

12. Tue, 1 September 2026

    1 report
    • willistonherald.com19:51
      Port: Is it worth all this new government to keep a version of kratom legal?

      A fiscal note from Attorney General Drew Wrigley's office makes it clear that attempting to regulate even so-called "natural" kratom would be very complicated and very expensive.

13. Thu, 3 September 2026

    3 reports
    • cbs6albany.com03:12
      Rensselaer County kratom ban proposal draws backlash after Albany County action

      A proposal to ban the sale and distribution of kratom in Rensselaer County is drawing strong reaction as county lawmakers consider restrictions that would inclu

    • prairiepublic.org20:19
      Kratom bills advance, including a permanent full ban in North Dakota

      North Dakota Legislation advanced Wednesday to permanently ban all kratom and synthetic products in North Dakota, hours after the governor urged the Legislature to ban kratom “in all its forms.”

    • krcrtv.com22:04
      Northstate clinic seeing dangers of 7-OH products among community members

      Leaders with a Redding medical clinic say community members are having negative results from using harmful kratom-related products.

14. Fri, 4 September 2026

    1 report
    • thedickinsonpress.com17:11
      Port: North Dakota lawmakers (sort of) keep natural kratom legal

      The political divides in the North Dakota Republican Party may have played a role in lawmakers failing to pass the total, permanent ban on kratom that Gov. Kelly Armstrong wanted.

15. Mon, 7 September 2026

    1 report
    • wdam.com02:11
      Lamar County first responders warn against kratom after seeing impacts

      The Federal Drug Administration says kratom is a natural by-product of a leaf often used to self medicate.

      1 reprint

      • wtok.com7 Sept, 02:11their copy
16. Wed, 9 September 2026

    1 report
    • lockhaven.com08:45
      Health experts, lawmakers push for Pa. kratom regulation; proponents warn they’ll fight a ban

      Sarah Kawasaki first heard about kratom around five years ago. It wasn’t through her work — she’s an addiction medicine specialist at Penn State, and the medical director of their associated opioid treatment program — but through her personal life. “People would say, ‘Hey, what do you know about kratom?,’” she told the Capital-Star. “And […]

17. Thu, 10 September 2026

    1 report
    • wbur.org07:09
      Kratom ban meets quiet compliance as retailers clear shelves

      Kratom was classified as a Schedule I drug on Aug. 28, as Gov. Maura Healey's administration sounded the alarm about the unregulated products that can lead to dangerous health effects. Inspectors fanned out across the state as the order went into effect to check for compliance.

18. Fri, 11 September 2026

    1 report
    • ktvq.com22:41
      Montana lawmakers push to ban kratom statewide — but the industry says regulation is the answer

      A push to ban kratom in Montana is gaining momentum — but not everyone agrees a ban is the right answer.

19. Sat, 12 September 2026

    1 report
    • delcotimes.com12:38edited after publishing
      Lower Merion issues detailed warning over use of widely available kratom

      previouslyLower Merion issues detailed warning over use and sale of kratom

20. Tue, 15 September 2026

    1 report
    • cbn.com17:35
      Gas Station Heroin: Experts Warn Against Using All Forms of Kratom

      Health experts are warning consumers to use caution when shopping at convenience stores or gas stations.

21. Fri, 25 September 2026

    1 report
    • BBC News World20:06
      What is kratom, the 'gas station heroin' alarming officials in the US?

      Kratom, found during an investigation into the deaths of two college students, has been sold in the US for around a decade.

22. Fri, 2 October 2026

    1 report
    • The Hill18:43
      Grassley calls on Trump administration to ban kratom 'NOW'

      Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Friday called on the Trump administration to finalize its proposed rule limiting the sale of kratom, a plant with opioid-like properties that can be bought over the counter. "All Kratom is deadly it should NOT be sold at gas stations/vape stores/ANYWHERE Admin needs 2 put out final 7OH rule NOW...

23. Mon, 5 October 2026

    1 report
    • local3news.com09:14
      Synthetic kratom pills found during drug raid in Memphis

      The West Tennessee Drug Task Force seized more than 30,000 synthetic kratom pill packages during a raid at two Memphis Novelty King warehouses, highlighting ongoing efforts to curb illegal drug distribution following recent student overdoses in Mississippi. Tennessee banned all forms of kratom starting July 1.

24. Wed, 7 October 2026

    1 report
    • The Hill16:49
      What is kratom, herb drawing scrutiny from lawmakers?

      Kratom, a plant with opioid-like properties sold over the counter, has drawn growing scrutiny from lawmakers on Capitol Hill as some states seek to ban the product or its synthetic derivatives. Calls for a federal response, including Sen. Chuck Grassley's (R-Iowa) request that the Trump administration act, come after compounds of kratom were found in...

25. Fri, 9 October 2026

    1 report
    • The Hill21:20
      HHS endorses DEA move to schedule synthetic kratom extracts

      The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Friday added its recommendations to the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) move to schedule synthetic kratom extracts, putting its support behind the push to regulate the substances colloquially called "gas station opioid." In July, the DEA announced plans to temporarily schedule a psychoactive compound derived from kratom...

26. Sat, 10 October 2026

    1 report
    • The Hill10:00
      What to know about 7-OH, MGPI, the synthetic kratom extracts known as 'gas station opioid'

      Federal authorities and lawmakers are cracking down on synthetic concentrates of kratom, an herbal product sold legally over the counter in most states, as concerns rise over their risk to public health. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) signaled heightened concerns about kratom-derived extracts earlier this year when it announced plans to temporarily ban products containing concentrations...

27. Mon, 12 October 2026

    1 report
    • The Hill23:32
      Synthetically concentrated kratom derivatives draw federal attention

      Presented by {beacon} Healthcare PRESENTED BY The Big Story Synthetically concentrated kratom derivatives draw federal attention The spread of "gas station opioid" products derived from the kratom plant is causing concern for federal authorities and lawmakers. © Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday RM via Getty Images The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) signaled heightened concerns about kratom-derived...

28. Thu, 15 October 2026

    2 reports
    • newswise.com12:00
      What’s the Latest on 7-OH and Kratom Availability and Addiction Care?

      Details on new federal policy changes on synthetic opioids, updated Oct. 15 to reflect new action on 7-OH. Together with recent state and local actions on kratom and 7-OH, the developments raise the importance of increased access to medication-based treatment for opioid addiction.

    • kfvs12.com22:15
      Missouri AG issues cease and desist to Cape Girardeau company over kratom-derived products

      A Cape Girardeau business is one of nine companies across the state to now be investigated by Attorney General Catherine Hanaway over 7-OH products.