Kratom Laws in Florida

Yes — kratom is legal to purchase, possess, and consume in Florida. The Florida Legislature legalized and regulated kratom through the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (HB 179), signed into law in 2023 and effective July 1, 2023.

Florida does not classify kratom as a Schedule I through Schedule V controlled substance under Florida Statute Chapter 893. No Florida county or municipality has enacted a local ban on kratom sales. Adults aged 21 and older may legally purchase kratom products from licensed retailers throughout the state.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act replaced an earlier legislative landscape where kratom existed in a legal gray area with no state-level regulation. The law provides a regulatory framework that permits kratom commerce while imposing consumer safety requirements on manufacturers and retailers.

The Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act (House Bill 179) is a state law that regulates the manufacture, distribution, and sale of kratom products in Florida. The Florida Legislature passed HB 179 during the 2023 legislative session, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act establishes 5 primary regulatory requirements:

1. Age restriction: Retailers may not sell kratom products to any person under 21 years of age
2. Labeling requirements: All kratom products must include a complete ingredient list, alkaloid content, serving size, and manufacturer contact information
3. Adulteration prohibition: Kratom products may not contain synthetic alkaloids, controlled substances, or dangerous non-kratom additives
4. Concentration limits: Kratom products may not contain alkaloid concentrations that exceed naturally occurring levels without proper labeling and warnings
5. Penalties: Violations carry fines of up to $500 for a first offense, with escalating penalties for repeat violations

The act assigns enforcement authority to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Kratom vendors operating in Florida must comply with all labeling, testing, and age-verification requirements established under HB 179.

Florida law prohibits the sale of kratom to any person under 21 years of age. The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (HB 179) sets the minimum purchase age at 21, matching Florida's minimum age requirements for tobacco and nicotine products.

Retailers must verify the age of any customer who appears to be under 30 years old before completing a kratom sale. Acceptable forms of identification include a valid Florida driver's license, Florida identification card, United States passport, or military identification card.

A retailer who sells kratom to a person under 21 faces a fine of $500 for a first offense. Subsequent violations carry increased penalties, and repeat offenders may face administrative action from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The age restriction applies to all kratom product formats, including capsules, powders, extracts, and kratom-containing beverages.

Florida requires all kratom products sold in the state to carry labels that disclose ingredients, alkaloid content, serving size, and manufacturer information. These labeling requirements apply to every kratom product sold at retail locations and online to Florida consumers.

Kratom product labels in Florida must include:

• Complete ingredient list identifying all active and inactive ingredients
• Alkaloid content per serving specifying concentrations of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine
• Recommended serving size with clear dosage instructions
• Manufacturer name and contact information including business address
• Batch or lot number for product traceability
• Warning statements advising consumers not to use kratom if pregnant, nursing, or under 21 years of age

The law prohibits the sale of adulterated kratom products. A kratom product is considered adulterated if the product contains a non-kratom substance that affects the quality or strength of the product without disclosure, contains a synthetic alkaloid, or contains a controlled substance. Kratom products contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, or biological contaminants above established safety thresholds are also prohibited.

Kratom use carries documented health risks including physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, liver toxicity, and adverse interactions with other substances. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved kratom for any medical use and has issued multiple public warnings about kratom safety.

Kratom contains 2 primary psychoactive alkaloids: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Both alkaloids bind to mu-opioid receptors in the brain — the same receptors activated by prescription opioids and heroin. At low doses (1 to 5 grams), kratom produces stimulant effects including increased energy and alertness. At higher doses (5 to 15 grams), kratom produces opioid-like sedation, pain relief, and euphoria.

Documented health risks of kratom use include:

• Physical dependence that develops with regular use over weeks to months
• Withdrawal symptoms including muscle aches, insomnia, irritability, nausea, sweating, and anxiety
• Liver toxicity — the FDA has documented cases of acute liver injury associated with kratom use
• Seizures reported in cases involving high doses or adulterated products
• Respiratory depression when kratom is combined with other central nervous system depressants, including alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids
• Cardiovascular effects including elevated heart rate and blood pressure

The FDA reported 44 deaths associated with kratom use between 2011 and 2017, though many involved other substances. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) classifies kratom as a substance with potential for abuse and dependence.

Yes — regular kratom use leads to physical dependence and addiction. Because mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine activate opioid receptors in the brain, the body develops tolerance and dependence through the same neurological mechanisms involved in opioid addiction.

Physical dependence on kratom develops after daily use over a period of several weeks to several months. Individuals who use kratom daily at moderate-to-high doses (more than 5 grams per day) face the highest risk of developing dependence.

Kratom withdrawal symptoms mirror opioid withdrawal and include:

• Muscle aches and joint pain
• Insomnia and restlessness
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Sweating and hot flashes
• Anxiety, irritability, and depression
• Cravings for kratom or other opioid-receptor agonists

Kratom withdrawal symptoms typically begin 12 to 24 hours after the last dose, peak within 2 to 4 days, and resolve over 7 to 10 days. Individuals experiencing kratom dependence benefit from the same evidence-based treatment approaches used for opioid addiction, including medically supervised detoxification and structured intensive outpatient programming.

Florida offers multiple levels of care for individuals experiencing kratom dependence, including partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient treatment. Licensed addiction treatment facilities in Florida treat kratom dependence using the same evidence-based protocols applied to opioid use disorders.

Treatment options for kratom dependence in Florida include:

• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Structured treatment 5 to 7 days per week, 6 or more hours per day, with medical oversight. PHP provides the highest level of outpatient care and is appropriate for individuals with moderate-to-severe kratom dependence.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Treatment 3 to 5 days per week, 3 to 4 hours per day. IOP allows individuals to maintain work and family responsibilities while receiving group therapy, individual counseling, and psychiatric support.
• Outpatient Treatment: Weekly individual therapy and group sessions for individuals who have completed a higher level of care or who have mild kratom dependence.

Treatment for kratom dependence typically includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, relapse prevention planning, and peer support programming. Medication-assisted treatment is appropriate in cases where kratom dependence co-occurs with opioid use disorder.

Ascend Recovery Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, provides individualized treatment for substance use disorders, including kratom dependence. Contact the admissions team to learn about available partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient programming, and verify insurance coverage.