Is Kratom Legal in Arkansas?

If you are new in Arkansas and are wondering, "Is Kratom Legal in Arkansas?" The quick answer is no. Arkansas classifies mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine as Schedule I substances, so Kratom remains prohibited statewide. Although SB534 proposed regulated sales and buyer protection in 2025, it failed to become law.

Federal changes involving 7-Hydroxymitragynine in 2026 do not alter Arkansas's existing ban. But the details matter: what exactly did SB534 propose, why did it fail, and could a future law change Arkansas's position? In this blog we will take you through all such key Arkansas Kratom law details, so you can shop wisely!

Table of Contents

• Is Kratom Legal in Arkansas?
• Arkansas Kratom Law 2026
• Is Kratom a Controlled Substance in Arkansas?
• Why Is Kratom Prohibited Under Arkansas Law?
• What Was Arkansas SB534?
• Arkansas Kratom Laws vs Neighboring States
• Does Federal Kratom Law Change Arkansas's Legal Status?
• Could Arkansas Kratom Law Change in the Future?
• FAQs

Is Kratom Legal in Arkansas?

No. Kratom is illegal in Arkansas. The state lists its two primary compounds, mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine, as Schedule I controlled substances, which makes buying, selling, or possessing Kratom unlawful statewide.

Arkansas Kratom Law 2026

Kratom in Arkansas is governed by strict state-level controlled-substance rules. The table below gives a quick overview of its 2026 legal status:

Is Kratom a Controlled Substance in Arkansas?

Yes, Kratom is a Schedule I controlled substance in Arkansas.

Kratom is controlled under the Arkansas Uniform Controlled Substances Act (Arkansas Code Title 5, Chapter 64).

• In February 2016, the Arkansas Department added mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine to the state's controlled substances list.
• Under Ark. Code Ann. § 5-64-201, these substances are classified as Schedule I controlled substances.

As a result, possession, sale, transport, or manufacturing of Kratom containing these substances is prohibited under Arkansas law.

Why Is Kratom Prohibited Under Arkansas Law?

Arkansas prohibited Kratom by adding its two main compounds directly to the state's Schedule I list rather than passing a Kratom-specific statute.

Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine Under Arkansas Law

• Both compounds are named individually on Arkansas's Schedule I list.
• Schedule I status applies regardless of the product form (leaf, powder, capsule, extract).
• The listing covers the compounds themselves, so any product containing them falls under the ban.

When Did Arkansas Add These Substances to Its Controlled-Substance Framework?

The Arkansas Department added mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine to the state's Schedule I list in 2016. That listing has remained in place continuously since then.

What Was Arkansas SB534?

SB534 was a 2025 bill that attempted to reverse Arkansas's Kratom ban and replace it with a regulatory framework instead.

What Did SB534 Propose?

SB534 proposed the Arkansas KCPA. The bill would have removed mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine from the state's Schedule I list and replaced prohibition with state-level product and labeling requirements.

Did SB534 Pass in Arkansas?

No. SB534 passed the Senate on April 7, 2025, but the House Public Welfare and Labor Committee returned it with a "do not pass" recommendation on April 10, 2025. The bill died at Sine Die adjournment on May 5, 2025.

What Would SB534 Have Changed?

• Removed Kratom's compounds from the Schedule I list
• Created a legal, regulated path for in-state sale
• Established a Kratom-specific protection framework, laws already established in other states.

None of these changes took effect. Arkansas's Schedule I listing remains the controlling law.

Arkansas Kratom Laws vs Neighboring States

Arkansas takes a stricter approach to Kratom than several nearby states. The table below compares Arkansas with neighboring states based on current legal status and key regulatory differences in 2026:

💡 Read more about each state:

• Is Kratom Legal In Mississippi?
• Is Kratom Legal In Tennessee?
• Is Kratom Legal In Texas? The 2026 Legal Guide
• Is Kratom Legal In Oklahoma? Know the Updates!

Does Federal Kratom Law Change Arkansas's Legal Status?

No. Federal Kratom law and Arkansas state law operate separately, and a change at the federal level would not automatically override Arkansas's own scheduling decision.

Is Kratom Federally Controlled?

• Kratom itself, as a plant, is not currently listed on the federal Controlled Substances Act schedules.
• States remain free to set their own Kratom laws, which is why Arkansas can maintain a ban even though there's no matching federal one.

What Did the DEA Do About 7-OH in 2026?

• On July 1, 2026, the DEA filed notice of intent to temporarily place 7-Hydroxymitragynine above a set concentration threshold into federal Schedule I.
• Three related synthetic compounds were included in the same notice.
• The threshold targets concentrated or synthetic 7-OH products (above 0.05% by weight, or 1 mg per article), not natural Kratom leaf generally.
• The notice was published in the Federal Register on July 6, 2026, with a temporary order expected on or after August 5, 2026.
• Arkansas's own Schedule I listing already covers Kratom's compounds at the state level, so this federal notice runs alongside Arkansas law rather than replacing it.

Does the 2026 Federal Action Change Arkansas Law?

• No. Arkansas already treats Kratom's compounds as Schedule I under state law, so this federal notice does not change anything for Arkansas residents.
• The DEA action is a separate, narrower federal step aimed at high-concentration 7-OH products specifically, and it does not touch Arkansas's existing statewide prohibition either way.

Could Arkansas Kratom Law Change in the Future?

Possibly, but not right away. Here's why:

• Arkansas only holds a budget-centred fiscal session in 2026
• New bills require a supermajority vote just to be added to that agenda
• A fresh attempt at reform is more likely to show up in 2027, when the state holds its next regular session

Where Can You Check for Arkansas Kratom Law Updates?

• Arkansas State Legislature bill search — track any new Kratom-related bill filings
• SB534 bill history — official record of the 2025 reform attempt
• Arkansas Code and Constitution — current statutory text
• DEA Federal Register notices — federal-level 7-OH scheduling activity

⭐ For a broader look at Kratom laws across the country, you can also check Oasis Kratom’s Kratom legality page, which provides state-by-state legal information.

FAQs

Is Kratom Legal In Oklahoma Near The Arkansas Border?

Yes. Oklahoma allows Kratom under its KCPA, so the legal line changes the moment you cross from Arkansas into Oklahoma.

Can You Fly Into An Arkansas Airport With Kratom?

No. Arkansas's statewide ban applies at airports too, and TSA officers who spot a prohibited substance can refer the matter to local law enforcement.

When Will Arkansas Legalize Kratom?

There's no set timeline. The next realistic opportunity is Arkansas's 2027 regular session, since 2026 is a budget-centred fiscal session.

Can I Get Kratom Shipped In Arkansas?

No. Shipping Kratom into Arkansas carries the same legal risk as shipping any other Schedule I substance into the state.

Does Arkansas Drug Test For Kratom?

Standard workplace drug panels don't typically screen for Kratom, but specialized lab tests that detect mitragynine do exist and can be requested.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. Kratom laws can change over time. Always check current Arkansas statutes, official state resources, and applicable federal rules for the latest legal information.