Kratom Consumer Protection Act

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.