Is Kratom Legal in Indiana?

ℹ️ This information is current as of April 2026. Laws can change — always verify with your local authorities.

Kratom Legal Status in Indiana

Kratom is illegal in Indiana. The state was among the first in the nation to effectively prohibit kratom when it passed Senate Enrolled Act 305 in 2014. That law amended Indiana Code § 35-31.5-2-321 to add synthetic mitragynine and synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine — the two primary active alkaloids found in the kratom plant (Mitragyna speciosa) — to the state’s list of controlled substance analogs.

Although the statutory language references “synthetic” forms of these alkaloids, law enforcement and prosecutors in Indiana have applied the ban broadly to all kratom products, including raw leaf, powder, capsules, and extracts. As a practical matter, any kratom product containing mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine — which includes virtually all commercially available kratom — is treated as a controlled substance analog under Indiana law.

The ban took effect on July 1, 2014. Indiana did not hold extensive public hearings on kratom before the bill’s passage, and the measure moved through the legislature with relatively little public debate. Since then, kratom advocacy organizations have pointed out that the law conflates naturally occurring plant alkaloids with synthetic compounds, but no legislative correction has been enacted.

Indiana’s ban stands in contrast to the approach taken by several neighboring states. Ohio and Illinois have both enacted versions of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), which regulate kratom rather than prohibit it. Those frameworks set age restrictions, labeling requirements, and product-purity standards while keeping kratom legal for adult consumers. Indiana has not adopted a similar approach.

What Is Prohibited

Under Indiana’s controlled substance analog statute, the following activities involving kratom are prohibited statewide:

• Possession of kratom products containing mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine
• Sale or distribution of kratom in any form — powder, capsules, extracts, beverages, or raw leaf
• Manufacturing kratom products within Indiana
• Importing kratom into the state, including via online purchase and mail delivery

There are no exemptions for personal use, research, or any other consumer purpose. The prohibition applies uniformly across all Indiana cities and counties, including Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, and every other jurisdiction in the state.

Penalties

Kratom-related offenses in Indiana are prosecuted under the state’s controlled substance analog laws. The severity of charges depends on the nature of the offense:

• Possession: Possession of a controlled substance analog can be charged as a Level 6 felony under Indiana Code § 35-48-4-7. A Level 6 felony carries a potential sentence of six months to two and a half years of imprisonment and fines up to $10,000.
• Dealing or distribution: Selling or distributing a controlled substance analog is a more serious offense and can be charged at higher felony levels depending on the quantity involved and other circumstances, with correspondingly greater prison terms and fines.

Individuals should be aware that even transiting through Indiana while in possession of kratom purchased legally in another state could result in criminal charges. Indiana law does not recognize out-of-state legality as a defense.

Future Outlook

As of the April 2026 update, no active legislation to repeal or amend Indiana’s kratom ban is pending in the Indiana General Assembly. Previous efforts to introduce Kratom Consumer Protection Act legislation in Indiana have not advanced to a floor vote.

The passage of KCPA laws in neighboring states continues to draw attention to Indiana’s comparatively strict approach. However, until a reversal bill is formally introduced and gains committee traction, the ban remains firmly in place. Residents interested in tracking legislative developments can monitor the Indiana General Assembly website or visit the kratom legality hub for updates.

Buying Kratom in Indiana

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• Indiana General Assembly — Senate Enrolled Act 305 (2014)
• Indiana Code § 35-48-4 — Offenses Relating to Controlled Substances
• Amazing Botanicals — Kratom Legality Hub