In a last-minute move that has stunned Kratom advocates and consumers, Connecticut lawmakers have added a sweeping amendment to House Bill 6855 — originally intended to regulate hemp — that could effectively ban Kratom across the state. The bill, with the Kratom provision added just days before the end of the legislative session, has now passed both chambers and awaits Governor Ned Lamont’s signature.
If signed into law, HB6855 would classify all types of Kratom as a controlled substance, giving state officials the authority to place it in any schedule they deem appropriate. That means Kratom could be lumped in with Schedule I substances — like LSD or heroin — despite its long history of traditional use and low potential for harm. Even if it’s placed in a lower schedule, the result is essentially the same: a ban on access for Connecticut consumers.
Why This Matters — and Why It’s Wrong
Kratom is a natural botanical with centuries of traditional use, and today, over 24 million Americans report using it for wellness, energy, and relief. Scientific research — including a recent FDA Single Ascending Dose study — continues to show that Kratom is well-tolerated by humans. In fact, no federal agency has been able to justify a ban: the DEA withdrew two scheduling attempts in 2016 and 2018, and the World Health Organization chose not to recommend international control in 2021.
Yet HB6855 seeks to treat Kratom the same as unapproved synthetic drugs like tianeptine and phenibut — a comparison that is both scientifically inaccurate and dangerously misleading. As Walker Gallman of the Global Kratom Coalition stated in recent testimony:
“Kratom is a natural botanical and is far different from the synthetic drugs it’s being compared against in this bill.”
Thirteen states currently regulate Kratom responsibly, ensuring product safety without restricting access. Connecticut now risks becoming the first state since 2017 to enact a Kratom ban, setting back consumer choice and ignoring both science and precedent.
Kraken Kratom Is Taking Action
At Kraken Kratom, we’re not standing on the sidelines. We’ve been putting our money where our mouth is — funding advocacy, supporting legal efforts, and working hand-in-hand with organizations like the American Kratom Association to push back against misguided legislation like HB6855. Whether in Connecticut or other states considering similar measures, we remain committed to defending your right to access safe, well-regulated Kratom and to ensuring our voices are heard where it matters most.
What You Can Do Right Now
There is still time to act. The American Kratom Association is calling on all Kratom consumers and advocates to urge Governor Lamont to veto HB6855.
📞 Call: 860-566-4840 (Press 1)
📧 Email: Contact Form for Governor Lamont
We encourage our community to be respectful, informed, and passionate. Let Connecticut’s leadership know that Kratom deserves regulation — not prohibition.