Is Kratom Legal in South Carolina?

TL;DR: Kratom is legal in South Carolina as of 2025. There’s currently no statewide ban or regulation in place, but that could change. A bill introduced this year — Senate Bill S0221 — proposes new safety rules around kratom sales.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or medical advice. Always check local laws or consult a legal expert before making decisions related to kratom.

Kratom’s legal status across the U.S. is a puzzle — and South Carolina is one of the many pieces that’s still moving. If you’ve been wondering, “Is kratom legal in South Carolina?” or “Is kratom illegal in South Carolina?” — the answer is pretty straightforward… for now.

But as with most kratom laws, there’s more than just a yes or no, and the long answer is where things get interesting.

Let’s walk through where things stand today, what could change soon, and what it all means for kratom users and vendors in the Palmetto State.

Kratom remains unregulated at the federal level. While the DEA attempted to classify it as a Schedule I controlled substance in 2016, public opposition halted that effort. Since then, each state — and sometimes each city — has had to decide for itself what to do about kratom laws and status.

That’s why kratom is banned in some states, like Indiana, but legal in others with consumer protection laws, like Georgia or Utah. South Carolina currently lands somewhere in the middle.

Yes. As of 2025, kratom is legal in South Carolina, and there are no state laws banning its sale, use, or possession. This means you can legally purchase kratom in stores or online and use it for personal purposes.

However, South Carolina has not passed any version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), which means there are no formal guidelines for age limits, labeling, or alkaloid content. There’s one bill in the works — but more on that later.

In other words, while kratom is not illegal in South Carolina, it’s also not regulated — and that has implications for consumer safety.

No. Unlike states such as Oklahoma or Kentucky, which have enacted kratom laws to set safety standards, South Carolina has not implemented any regulation as of April 2025.

That means:

• There’s no minimum age to buy kratom (though many stores set their own policies).
• Labels aren't required to list alkaloid content or ingredients.
• There’s no oversight of how kratom is processed, stored, or tested.

This lack of regulation can leave consumers in a gray area. Without transparency or safeguards, it’s harder to know whether the kratom you’re buying is pure, properly dosed, or even safe.

But that may be about to change.

In January 2025, South Carolina lawmakers introduced Senate Bill S0221 — a proposal that could reshape how kratom is sold and regulated across the state.

Rather than banning the plant, S0221 focuses on consumer protection. If passed, it would introduce rules that many other states have already adopted through versions of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA).

Here’s what S0221 would do:

• Set the legal purchase age at 21.
• Require labels to list ingredients, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine levels, and usage instructions.
• Ban synthetic additives and any product that exceeds 2% 7-hydroxymitragynine.
• Impose penalties on retailers who break the rules — starting at $500 per violation.

As of this writing, the bill is still under review in the Senate Medical Affairs Committee. It hasn’t been passed into law yet, but its introduction alone signals that South Carolina is moving closer to a regulated kratom market.

Regulation? Very likely. A ban? Less so.

While some states have pushed for outright prohibition, South Carolina’s recent legislative direction suggests an interest in creating safer access, not shutting things down. Lawmakers seem to be responding to concerns over product safety and mislabeling, not trying to remove kratom from the market altogether.

Still, if unsafe or adulterated kratom products continue to show up — or if there’s a public health scare — the conversation could shift quickly.

For now, no state-level ban is being considered, and S0221 points toward regulation rather than restriction. As for the consumers and vendors, both groups should keep an eye on how things are looking from the legislative point of view.

South Carolina does not currently have any city- or county-level kratom bans. However, like other states, local governments could technically introduce restrictions even if the state hasn’t.

If you live in or are traveling through a smaller municipality, it’s always smart to check with local officials or legal resources to confirm the most up-to-date information.

Major cities where kratom is legal in South Carolina include:

• Charleston
• Columbia
• Greenville
• Myrtle Beach
• Spartanburg

As of April 2025, South Carolina is one of the states where kratom is still fully legal and unregulated. That’s great news for adults who use kratom responsibly, but it also means there are few guardrails in place to ensure product quality or safety.

That may soon change with the potential passing of Senate Bill S0221, which would introduce age restrictions, labeling standards, and limits on certain compounds in kratom products.

For now, adults can freely buy and use kratom in South Carolina. But it also means buyers need to be extra cautious about where they source their products. Stick with reputable sellers who provide safe and lab-tested products.

And most importantly: stay informed. As kratom’s legal status evolves across the U.S., South Carolina could eventually follow the path of other states and introduce its own legislation.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Kratom laws are subject to change. Always verify local regulations or speak with a qualified professional.

https://legiscan.com/SC/bill/S0221/2025 

https://legislativeanalysis.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Kratom-Summary-of-State-Laws.pdf 

https://trackbill.com/bill/south-carolina-senate-general-bill-221-south-carolina-kratom-consumer-protection-act/2607063/