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HB 1121

Kratom; add to Schedule III of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Stacey Hobgood-Wilkes

Mississippi bill would criminalize kratom by adding it to Schedule III controlled substances, affecting legal vendors and consumers currently using the unscheduled botanical product.

Died On Calendar
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Bill Summary · HB 1121

Legislative bill overview

HB 1121 would classify kratom as a Schedule III controlled substance under Mississippi's Uniform Controlled Substances Act, making possession and distribution illegal without proper licensing. The bill died in calendar without reaching a final vote in the 2025 legislative session.

Why is this important

Kratom classification would criminalize a substance currently legal and commercially available in Mississippi, affecting vendors, retailers, and consumers who use it for pain management, energy, or opioid withdrawal. This represents a significant shift in drug policy that would create enforcement obligations and potential criminal liability for thousands of current users and businesses.

Potential points of contention

  • Medical utility debate: Kratom lacks FDA approval but has anecdotal evidence for pain relief and opioid addiction management; classifying it as Schedule III contradicts claims that it has no accepted medical use
  • Consistency with federal approach: The DEA has not scheduled kratom federally, instead monitoring it; state-level scheduling creates a patchwork and diverges from federal drug policy
  • Economic impact: Would shut down a growing legal industry including online retailers, local shops, and distributors without grandfather clauses or transition periods
  • Personal liberty concerns: Removes access to a substance many users self-manage for chronic pain, particularly those who may avoid opioids due to addiction concerns

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

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