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Pennsylvania's State House has unanimously approved a bill to regulate the sale of kratom products, marking a significant step toward consumer safety. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bridget Kosierowski of Lackawanna, aims to restrict the sale of natural-leaf kratom products to individuals aged 21 and older. It also mandates child-resistant packaging and warning labels, prohibiting the sale of synthetic and adulterated kratom products.
The legislation, known as House Bill 2657, seeks to establish a framework for the sale and quality control of kratom within the state. Retailers will need to register with the state to sell natural-leaf kratom products. The packaging must list the manufacturer's name and address, include a warning that the products have not been evaluated by the FDA, and make no medical claims. Additionally, kratom products will be subject to the tobacco tax, with the Pennsylvania Department of Health overseeing standards and tax collection.
The bill also addresses the growing concern over kratom-related overdoses and poison control calls. Since 2025, Pennsylvania has recorded 33 overdoses involving kratom, and there have been 106 calls to poison control centers this year alone. The bill responds to these issues by banning synthetic kratom products with high levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a potent compound found in trace amounts in kratom leaves.
Rep. Kosierowski emphasized the need for regulation due to kratom's addictive nature and limited research on its long-term effects. She stated, "We already are aware that kratom is terribly addictive and can kill users, but what really worries me is that there is limited research on the long-term effects of taking it."
The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration. If passed, it will require the governor's signature to become law. The Senate has seven days left in the legislative session to address this measure.
Kratom is an herbal substance made from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. People traditionally chewed the leaves or brewed them into tea. [nccih.nih.gov], [fda.gov]
How it affects the body
Kratom contains compounds called mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which interact with opioid receptors in the brain. Depending on the dose, users report:
- Increased energy and alertness (stimulant-like effects)
- Relaxation and pain relief
- Sedation at higher doses [nccih.nih.gov], [nida.nih.gov]
Why people use it
Some people use kratom to try to:
- Relieve pain
- Reduce fatigue
- Manage anxiety or depression
- Ease opioid withdrawal symptoms or cravings [fda.gov], [nida.nih.gov]
Risks and side effects
Reported side effects include:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Rapid heart rate
More serious but less common effects include:
- Seizures
- High blood pressure
- Liver problems
- Dependence and withdrawal symptoms with regular use