KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mayor Quinton Lucas and the Kansas City Council today passed a new law banning the sale of synthetic kratom products and restricting how natural kratom can be sold in Kansas City. The ordinance targets unregulated drugs commonly sold at gas stations, convenience stores, and vape shops that pose risks to public health and safety. 

Mayor Lucas introduced the proposal in December 2025. After listening to community feedback and working with the Council, the final version focuses on banning dangerous synthetic versions of kratom while setting clear rules for natural kratom products, including concentration limits. 

"Gas station drugs are sold with virtually no oversight or safety testing," said Mayor Lucas. "They're marketed as legal alternatives, but they can be just as dangerous as illegal drugs—leading to addiction, overdoses, and harming our neighborhoods and young people. This law takes a common-sense approach to protect public health and public safety while keeping our communities safe." 

"I'm grateful to the constituents who advocated to remove these harmful products from our gas stations and convenience stores,” said Councilman Nathan Willett, co-sponsor on the ordinance. “Kansas City is taking the lead on protecting public health." 

Here's what the new law does: 

• Bans certain kratom products: No more selling kratom that can be smoked, vaped, or products that look like candy. 

• Bans synthetic 7-OH completely: Stores can no longer sell synthetic versions of 7-OH, a particularly dangerous form of kratom. 

• Makes natural kratom 21+: Natural kratom can only be sold to adults 21 and older, similar to alcohol and tobacco. Stores must keep these products out of reach of anyone under 21. 

• Requires store licenses: Any business that wants to sell natural kratom must get a special license from the City. 

Stores will have 60 days after the law takes effect to follow these new rules. 

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