On March 18, 2026, a bipartisan group of 11 U.S. senators sent a letter to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary urging the agency to schedule both whole kratom leaf and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This represents a significant escalation in the federal threat to kratom access, going far beyond the FDA’s current focus on 7-OH products alone. Here’s everything you need to know about this letter, what it claims, what it means for kratom consumers, and how you can take action.
The Ricketts-Blumenthal Letter: Who Signed It
The letter was led by Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and co-signed by nine additional senators: Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), James Justice (R-WV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).
The bipartisan nature of this letter is notable. With both Republican and Democratic senators signing on, this isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a coordinated push from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Senator Blumenthal’s involvement is particularly significant given that his home state of Connecticut recently banned kratom entirely in March 2026, making it one of seven states where kratom is now illegal.
What the Letter Claims
The senators’ letter makes several key claims to support their call for federal scheduling:
- Opioid receptor activity: The letter claims kratom acts on mu-opioid receptors similarly to opioids, and that frequent use leads to tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms.
- Youth addiction: It claims young people are growing addicted to kratom supplements, with some allegedly consuming “up to a dozen products a day.”
- Insufficient partial scheduling: The letter argues that scheduling only 7-OH would leave “addictive products on the shelf” and “tacitly declare them safe for consumption.”
- Lack of regulation: The senators claim there will be “no standardized control over product quality, concentration, or labeling” if only 7-OH is scheduled.
Why These Claims Are Misleading
While the letter raises some legitimate concerns about unregulated concentrated 7-OH products—particularly the kind sold at gas stations and convenience stores—it fundamentally conflates these products with traditional kratom leaf that has been used safely for centuries.
The scientific reality is more nuanced than the letter suggests. Mitragynine, the primary alkaloid in kratom leaf (comprising 60-66% of total alkaloid content), is a partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors—a crucial distinction from full agonists like morphine or fentanyl. This partial agonism is exactly why researchers at institutions like the University of Florida and Johns Hopkins University are studying kratom’s alkaloids as potentially safer alternatives. A landmark 2020 Johns Hopkins survey of over 2,700 kratom users found that the vast majority reported using kratom for self-management of pain, mood, and energy, with a relatively low rate of self-reported adverse effects. Learn more about kratom’s alkaloid science on our About Kratom page.
The claim that there would be “no standardized control” without scheduling is also misleading. The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) model—already passed in multiple states—provides exactly the kind of quality control, labeling standards, age restrictions, and third-party testing requirements that the senators claim are missing. The KCPA approach regulates kratom without criminalizing millions of responsible consumers.
What This Means for Kratom Consumers
If the FDA acts on this letter’s recommendations, kratom leaf could be classified as a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level. The implications would be severe:
- Nationwide ban: Possession, sale, and distribution of kratom would become illegal in all 50 states, regardless of state-level Kratom Consumer Protection Acts already in place.
- Criminal penalties: Traditional kratom powder and leaf that millions of Americans rely on would be treated the same as heroin under federal law.
- Research barriers: Schedule I classification would make it significantly harder for researchers to study kratom’s alkaloids, potentially blocking promising scientific inquiry into mitragynine and related compounds.
- Black market dangers: Prohibition would push consumers toward unregulated black markets where quality, purity, and safety cannot be guaranteed—the exact opposite of the consumer protection the senators claim to want.
Important Context: This Is Not Yet Law
It’s critical to understand that no scheduling action has been taken yet. This is a recommendation letter from senators to the FDA, not legislation. The FDA would need to go through its own regulatory process to schedule kratom, which includes scientific review and public comment periods. However, the letter does signal growing political pressure on the FDA to act, and it should be taken seriously by everyone who values kratom access.
This letter comes at a time when kratom is already facing unprecedented state-level challenges. Connecticut has banned kratom entirely, and ban bills are advancing in Iowa, Michigan, Kansas, Tennessee, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Ohio has enacted emergency restrictions on kratom extracts and enhanced products. A federal scheduling action on top of these state-level efforts would be devastating for the kratom community.
The Case for Regulation Over Prohibition
At Hudson Valley Botanicals, we firmly believe that responsible regulation is the right approach—not prohibition. The Kratom Consumer Protection Act model addresses every concern raised in the senators’ letter:
- Quality control: The KCPA requires third-party lab testing for contaminants, heavy metals, and alkaloid content.
- Labeling standards: Products must be accurately labeled with ingredients, alkaloid content, and proper warnings.
- Age restrictions: The KCPA prohibits sales to minors, addressing concerns about youth access.
- Adulteration bans: The KCPA prohibits the sale of adulterated or contaminated kratom products.
- Consumer protection: Rather than criminalizing consumers, the KCPA holds vendors to high standards while preserving access for responsible adults.
We hold ourselves to these standards and beyond. Every batch we sell undergoes rigorous third-party lab testing, and we make our Certificates of Analysis readily available to our customers. Quality vendors don’t fear regulation—we welcome it, because it raises the bar for the entire industry.
How to Take Action
If you value your access to kratom, now is the time to make your voice heard. Here’s what you can do:
- Contact your senators: Call or write your U.S. senators and tell them you oppose federal kratom scheduling. Share your personal story about how kratom has helped you. Personal testimonials from constituents are far more powerful than form letters.
- Contact your representatives: Reach out to your U.S. House representative as well. Even though this letter came from the Senate, the House plays a role in any legislative response.
- Support the American Kratom Association: The AKA is leading the fight to protect kratom access through responsible regulation. They provide tools to find your legislators, draft letters, and stay updated on developments. Supporting the AKA through membership or donations directly funds this critical advocacy work.
- Advocate for the KCPA: Push for Kratom Consumer Protection Act legislation at both the state and federal level. The Federal Kratom Consumer Protection Act has been introduced in Congress and represents the regulatory alternative to prohibition.
- Stay informed: Follow developments closely. Visit our About Kratom page for the latest legality updates and our interactive state-by-state legality map.
Read the Full Letter
You can read the full text of the Ricketts-Blumenthal letter on Senator Ricketts’ official website. We encourage everyone to read the letter directly and form their own informed opinion.
At Hudson Valley Botanicals, we’re committed to keeping our community informed about every development that affects your access to kratom. The fight for responsible kratom regulation is far from over, and your voice matters more than ever. Have questions about how these developments affect your orders? Contact our team—we’re always here to help.
