Kratom In Rhode Island: Legality, History, and Restrictions [2023 Update]

Rhode Island, also known as Little Rhody and Ocean State, is the United States' tiniest state. Despite its size, it boasts an abundance of charm. You can find stunning coastlines, significant historical landmarks, and mouth-watering seafood, making it a destination worth exploring. However, amidst the plenty of natural wonders, there remains a missing piece in this complex puzzle - a unique herb known as Kratom. This plant grows in Southeast Asian countries and is famous worldwide for its many benefits. Giving it a try could help you feel less stressed out, more focused, happier, and energized. 

Regardless of its widespread popularity, the varying legal status of Kratom in different states has sparked extensive discussions regarding its use. Let's take a closer look at the legality of this herb in Rhode Island to understand the situation better.

As of now, Kratom is declared an illegal substance in Rhode Island and thus is banned throughout the state. However, this wasn’t always the case, as it used to be legal until May 31, 2017. On this exact date, The Rhode Island State Department of Health (DOH) decided to add two essential components of the herb to its list of controlled substances. These two banned psychoactive components typically associated with Kratom are Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.

The decision to ban the supplement in the state came from the Rhode Island State Department of Health (DOH) and happened quickly and unexpectedly. Unlike other bills to ban Kratom, there was no discussion, no voting, and no opportunity for objections in this situation. One day, people could use this botanical supplement as a coffee substitute, but the next day it became a Schedule I controlled substance.

The decision was supposed to go into effect on April 10, 2017, but many people needed clarification about the legal situation because neither Kratom nor its alkaloids were explicitly mentioned in the Rhode Island Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Even today, it’s not clear if they are listed. However, when news stories about Kratom arrests in the state started to appear, people realized that the ban was indeed in effect. 

But now, six years later in 2023, certain lawmakers in Rhode Island have had a change of mind regarding Kratom. The Rhode Island State Legislature’s chambers have enacted bills to legalize the substance. The latest news has given members of the Kratom community all over the United States a newfound sense of hope and excitement. They see it as a potential victory that could lead to lifting bans in other states. 

This botanical substance is unavailable in Rhode Island because it is currently banned. The Island has strict regulations prohibiting the sale, possession, or import of Kratom supplements. Breaking the law could result in the following: 

●      A fine of  $500 and

●      Up to one year in jail

It's crucial to remember that the ban on this botanical substance in the state applies to everyone, including visitors. It's against the law to possess Kratom in Rhode Island, no matter where you're from.

Although using or buying these herbal products may not be allowed in Rhode Island, residents interested in trying Kratom can legally purchase and use it in Connecticut and Massachusetts. This means you can still access these products by traveling to these bordering states. Just remember to follow their respective laws and regulations regarding Kratom usage.

If you visit the neighboring states of Rhode Island to use this supplement, you might wonder how to find reliable Kratom vendors. Finding genuine products in physical stores can be challenging, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. However, shopping from a reputable online vendor like Authentic Kratom can make things easier. This online store has excellent customer reviews and offers various Kratom strains, including capsules, powders, and extracts. Additionally, they carefully get their ingredients from different parts of the world and ensure that each product goes through laboratory testing to ensure it's safe, strong, and of good quality.

After the 2017 ban on Kratom in Rhode Island, different state legislators have proposed bills to cancel the ban and make the herb legal and regulated in the state. Currently, the American Kratom Association (AKA) is operating to pass the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) in different parts of the country to regulate the use of this medicinal product. 

These regulations include stopping the supplement's sale to minors and ensuring that the products are labeled correctly and tested by an independent lab. These regulations are meant to safeguard Kratom users and stop the sale of products that are fake or have harmful substances in them. 

Rhode Island legislators have introduced several bills to lift the Kratom ban in the state. These bills aimed to establish a Rhode Island Kratom Consumer Protection Act. However, each bill failed to progress for various reasons and died in committee. 

Here’s a list of all the legislative proposals for Kratom: 

●     Rhode Island House Bill 5542 (2019):

Democratic representatives Brian Kennedy and Grace Diaz sponsored House Bill 5542 to pass the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) and reverse the ban. The act was presented to the House Health, Education, and Welfare Panels, who suggested further study. Sadly, the bill failed to make it out of the controlling panel during that legislative session.

●     Rhode Island House Bill 7289 (2020): 

Representatives Kennedy and Diaz presented the bill along with Representative Stephen Ucci, which had the same goal as House Bill 5542. Unfortunately, the proposal did not pass the committee's vote during that legislative session.

●     Rhode Island House Bill 5909 (2021): 

Representative John Edwards joined forces with Representatives Kennedy and Diaz to reintroduce a bill to legalize and regulate the supplement in Rhode Island. The council reviewed the proposal, House Bill 5909, and suggested further examination. However, they ultimately decided to delay the bill until June 2021.

●     Rhode Island House Bill 7595 (2022): 

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) bill, supported by the mentioned Representatives and Representative Samuel Azzinaro, successfully passed the House with a vote of 47-12 in June 2022. However, it faced a setback and did not advance beyond the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

●     Rhode Island House Bill 5330 (2023):

Despite facing previous failures, Rhode Island legislators persistently advocate for regulating Kratom in the state. Representatives John Edwards and Kennedy reintegrated a Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) Draft law, Rhode Island House Bill 5330, in February 2023.

Like previous proposals, this one aimed to establish rules for the herb’s regulation. The act would have allowed the possession, sale, and purchase of Kratom in Rhode Island while preventing the sale of contaminated products.  

Additionally, if House Bill 5330 had been successful, Kratom vendors in Rhode Island would have been required to register their products with the state and provide clear labeling with usage instructions and recommended serving sizes. 

Rhode Island's House of Representatives voted to legalize it on June 12, Monday. The vote passed House Bill 5330 with a 39-26 majority. However, the Senate Judiciary Committee ultimately rejected the bill.

With numerous failed attempts, it’s natural to question if Kratom will ever regain its legality in Rhode Island. Convincing lawmakers to loosen restrictions on a Schedule I drug won’t be an easy task.

Nevertheless, its users remain hopeful. The movement to legalize this medicinal herb in the state is stronger and more determined compared to other states where it is banned. While the House has shown support for the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), the real challenge lies in gaining the help of the Senate and the governor.

Rhode Island legislators can observe the practical implementation of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) in other states. It’s not merely a theoretical concept; passing it wouldn’t be risky.

If you want to use Kratom legally in Rhode Island, you should try to decriminalize it by getting in touch with the State Legislature. Until then, there are no options within the state to buy this miracle herb. 

Moreover, If you're up to the task of improving the legal position of this herbal supplement in this state, you can take advantage of the American Kratom Association’s form to reach out to Rhode Island State Senators. This can encourage them to support the future legalization and regulation of Kratom products.