7-OH products, a concentrated synthetic kratom derivative, are displayed at a retail store in Bismarck on Aug. 5, 2026, hours before a state ban took effect. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO) – The North Dakota Senate has passed a bill banning kratom and its derivatives and has penalties for its use and possession.
Republican State Senator Jeff Magrum of Hazelton was the only no vote. He told “News and Views” Host Joel Heitkamp he’s used kratom.
Republican State Senator Kristin Roers of Fargo brought up that North Dakota would be the first state in the region to ban kratom. Minnesota bans the sale and possession to those under age 21.
“One of our Senate colleagues reminded us that when you’re on an island, it means your head is above water,” Roers said. “We have the opportunity to be a leader in our region.”
Dem-NPL State Senator Ryan Braunberger of Fargo believes an important part of the legislation is judges allowing people convicted of kratom possession to take part in drug court.
“One of the concerns I have is about the consequences of possession of this because I don’t like to criminalize our addicts,” Braunberger said.
The bill now heads to the House.
The North Dakota House passed a bill Thursday that would ban the sale of natural kratom to those under age 21 and create licensing and labeling requirements and criminal penalties.
The American Kratom Association has urged lawmakers to adopt science-based regulation of natural kratom and ban chemically manipulated 7-OH products and synthetic derivatives.
“North Dakota can protect consumers with strict age restrictions, testing, labeling and enforcement without eliminating access to responsibly regulated natural kratom. Lawmakers still have an opportunity to get this right and protect the free market and American consumers,“ the organization wrote in a statement.
Comments