Last verified:
Status Indicators
- BANNED. Listed as a regulated drug under Vermont’s Regulated Drug Rule since 2016
- Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine both listed
- Possession and sale are illegal statewide
- AKA petition to remove kratom granted by Department of Health in March 2023, no rule change yet
- H.416 (2025, 2026 session) would remove kratom and establish KCPA framework
At a Glance
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Legal Status | Banned |
| Age Limit | N/A |
| Regulated | No |
| Controlled Substance | Yes (regulated drug) |
| Last Policy Change | 2016 (Regulated Drug Rule classification). Repeal effort pending. |
Understanding Federal vs. State Law
Kratom is federally unscheduled. Vermont, however, used administrative rulemaking by the Department of Health to add kratom alkaloids to the state’s Regulated Drug Rule in 2016. Federal legality offers no protection within Vermont. The Regulated Drug Rule has the force of state law and treats kratom alkaloids similarly to other controlled substances for prosecution purposes.
KCPA Section
No KCPA has been enacted in Vermont. H.416, introduced in the 2025, 2026 session, proposes both removing kratom from the regulated drug list and establishing consumer protection requirements (lab testing, age limits, labeling). Status of H.416 should be tracked at legislature.vermont.gov.
Legislative Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Vermont Department of Health adds mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine to the Regulated Drug Rule |
| March 1, 2023 | Department of Health grants AKA petition to begin rulemaking to remove kratom alkaloids. No final rule yet. |
| 2025, 2026 session | H.416 introduced. Would remove kratom and create a KCPA-style framework. |
Penalties
Possession or sale of a regulated drug in Vermont can result in misdemeanor or felony charges depending on quantity and intent. Specific penalties are governed by Vermont Statutes Annotated Title 18, Chapter 84.
Buying & Shipping to Vermont
Do not ship kratom to a Vermont address while the regulated drug classification remains in effect. Most reputable vendors block Vermont at checkout. Receiving kratom in Vermont exposes the recipient to state criminal liability.
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Q: Is kratom legal in Vermont?
A: No. Vermont has classified kratom alkaloids as regulated drugs since 2016. The ban remains in force despite a 2023 petition that was granted and pending 2025, 2026 legislation.
Q: When did Vermont ban kratom?
A: 2016, when the Vermont Department of Health added mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine to the state’s Regulated Drug Rule.
Q: Is there any active effort to legalize kratom in Vermont?
A: Yes. The American Kratom Association’s removal petition was granted by the Department of Health on March 1, 2023, opening a rulemaking process. Separately, H.416 was introduced in the 2025, 2026 legislative session to formally remove kratom and establish KCPA-style protections.
Q: Can I drive through Vermont with kratom?
A: No. Possession is illegal in any Vermont county. Travelers on I-91, I-89, or US-7 should not transit Vermont with kratom.
Q: Can I fly into Vermont with kratom?
A: No. Burlington International Airport falls under Vermont state jurisdiction. Arriving with kratom violates state law.
Sources
- superspeciosa.com/blogs/news/vermont-kratom-ban, Super Speciosa coverage of Vermont’s 2016 ban and the 2023 AKA petition grant
- supernaturalbotanical.com/blog/vermont-reverse-kratom-ban/, Coverage of Vermont’s potential to reverse the kratom ban
- legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0416/H-0416%20As%20Introduced.pdf, Vermont Legislature official text of H.416 (2025, 2026 session) as introduced
- www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1869413, BillTrack50 record for Vermont S.0121 (related kratom legislation tracking)
- www.congress.gov/crs-product/LSB11082, Congressional Research Service summary of state-level kratom regulation, including Vermont
- katsbotanicals.com/kratom-legal-in-vermont-2025-complete-guide/, Complete guide to Vermont kratom law and the pending repeal effort
