Douglas County to ban kratom, 7-OH starting July 1

Douglas County will classify kratom and 7-OH as Schedule I controlled substances starting July 1, making purchase, sale and possession illegal under the new state law. The change reaches people buying the products in Lawrence and across Douglas County, where kratom and 7-OH have been sold through smoke shops, gas stations, convenience stores and online.

Kansas House Bill 2365, signed by Gov. Laura Kelly on April 10, put kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine, known as 7-OH, into Schedule I under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act alongside drugs including heroin, LSD and marijuana. Lawmakers approved the measure with bipartisan votes of 76-49 in the House and 34-5 in the Senate.

On Sept. 24, 2025, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned that the products can be extremely harmful and are often sold in smoke shops, gas stations, convenience stores and online shops. 7-OH occurs naturally in kratom in small amounts, but products sold in stores often contain synthetic versions that are much more concentrated.

A representative from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office told lawmakers that widespread retail access to opioid-like substances could lead to more addiction, overdoses and preventable deaths. In February 2026, a lab expert said he saw more 7-OH recently than oxycodone, hydrocodone and fentanyl combined. Opponents of the ban argued that kratom should not be treated the same as 7-OH and said some people use kratom to manage chronic pain or support recovery from opioid addiction.

Douglas County’s official account shared addiction support resources as the deadline approached. DCCCA urged users to seek support before July 1. Kansas City, Missouri, also moved late last year to restrict synthetic kratom and 7-OH.