Kratom Ban Clears House After 30-Minute Standoff

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 03/18/2026) “KRATOM SOLD HERE” signs plastered across gas stations and smoke shops have turned the once-obscure substance into a roadside staple, though it could soon become just a moment in time.

After a tense 30-minute chaotic delay and a fracture within the Republican ranks, the House passed a bill that would outright ban kratom.

Lawmakers held the board open, awaiting Reps. Jaime Greene (R-Richmond) and Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet)'s vote before the bill ultimately passed along party lines, though, of course, with the exception of Rep. Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers) being the only Republican voting against the bill.

Two Democrats who sponsored the bill, Reps. Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park) and Denise Mentzer (D-Mount Clemens), also voted against this legislation.

The bill defines kratom as any product derived from the Mitragyna speciosa plant — including its leaves, extracts and compounds — as well as synthetic variants, substances lawmakers say are widely sold in gas stations and can act on the brain similarly to opioids. The push for a full ban hasn't come out of the blue, scrutiny of kratom from President Donald Trump's administration has recently intensified.

HB 5537 would make it a misdemeanor to grow, sell or distribute kratom, including synthetic variants, with penalties ranging up to a year and fines up to $20,000 for repeat violations involving minors. The measure includes a narrow exception if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ever approves kratom for medical use.

Mentzer, after the vote, said she could not support the bill in its current form, citing last-minute changes.

“The amendments adopted during the House process today shifted the tenor of the legislation," she said. “There are better, more comprehensive efforts coming … and we should pursue those instead of moving forward with a compromised version.”

McFall was not immediately available at the time of publication.

Opponents of the bill argue that, rather than an outright ban, the state should pursue stricter regulation of kratom, such as including dosage guidelines and age restrictions, to address safety concerns without eliminating access entirely.

Following session, House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) held a press conference with lead sponsor Rep. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan). They framed the legislation as a public safety measure targeting what they described as a dangerous and addictive substance widely available in gas stations and smoke shops.

“It was very disappointing to see every Democrat vote against our bill,” Hall said, adding that kratom is a “very deadly drug," comparable to opioids and even heroin. However, he was proud that Republicans joined together so that Michigan is one step closer to banning what he called poison.

If the bill ultimately gets signed into law, Michigan would not be the first state to ban kratom completely, as eight other states have enacted the ban, Hall said.

Cavitt said that the industry gears their product towards children, with kratom coming in candy and powders in drinks.

“What's funny is a lot of this comes from Southeast Asia and particularly China, and it's illegal in China,” he said. “They don't let their citizens use it, but they import it over here. So I just don't feel that that's proper.”

Hall added that some lobbyists argue that there are good and bad forms of Kratom, though he sees that as a ridiculous argument. He also said he's heard from police chiefs in southeast Michigan who say they're struggling with kratom and that it's causing problems in the schools.

Cavitt ended the press conference saying that “protecting kids” shouldn't be a partisan issue. With House passage secured, the bill now heads to the Senate.