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SF 367

A bill for an act designating kratom as a schedule I controlled substance, and making penalties applicable.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Costello

Iowa bill would criminalize kratom as Schedule I controlled substance, making possession and sales felonies with associated criminal penalties.

Subcommittee: Taylor, Green, and Quirmbach.
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Bill Summary · SF 367

Legislative bill overview

SF 367 would classify kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance in Iowa, placing it in the same legal category as drugs like heroin and LSD. The bill would establish criminal penalties for possession, distribution, and manufacture of kratom within the state.

Why is this important

Kratom is a botanical substance derived from a Southeast Asian tree that is currently legal in most U.S. states and widely sold in smoke shops, online retailers, and specialty stores. Classifying it as Schedule I would criminalize an estimated thousands of Iowa residents who currently use kratom legally, and would affect retailers and businesses selling the product.

Potential points of contention

  • Scientific classification dispute: The DEA has not scheduled kratom federally despite previous consideration, citing lack of conclusive evidence of abuse potential and noting some legitimate traditional uses, making a state-level Schedule I classification controversial
  • Consumer access and medical autonomy: Kratom users report using it for chronic pain, opioid withdrawal symptom management, and anxiety; prohibition would remove access to a substance some view as a safer alternative to prescription opioids
  • Enforcement and criminal justice impact: Implementation would require law enforcement resources to investigate and prosecute kratom-related offenses, potentially adding to criminal justice system burden for a substance with no reported overdose deaths in Iowa

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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