Is Kratom Legal in Indiana?

Kratom is illegal to possess, sell, or bring into Indiana. The state moved early on this issue, passing Senate Enrolled Act 305 in 2014 — one of the first kratom bans in the country. That law amended Indiana Code § 35-31.5-2-321, adding synthetic mitragynine and synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (the two main active compounds in the kratom plant, Mitragyna speciosa) to the state’s list of controlled substance analogs. The wording technically targets “synthetic” versions of these compounds. In practice, though, Indiana law enforcement and prosecutors treat the ban as covering all kratom products — leaf, powder, capsules, extracts, whatever form it takes. Since virtually every commercial kratom product contains naturally occurring mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine, the distinction between synthetic and natural hasn’t mattered much in enforcement. The ban took effect July 1, 2014, after passing through the legislature without much public debate or dedicated hearings on kratom itself. Advocacy groups have since argued that lawmakers conflated a naturally occurring plant compound with synthetic analogs, but no bill has emerged to fix that language or reverse the ban. This puts Indiana at odds with several of its neighbors. Ohio and Illinois have both passed versions of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), a regulatory model that keeps kratom legal for adults while setting rules around age limits, labeling, and product purity. Indiana hasn’t followed that path.

Under Indiana’s controlled substance analog statute, the following are all against the law statewide:

• Possessing kratom products that contain mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine
• Selling or distributing kratom in any form — powder, capsules, extracts, drinks, or raw leaf
• Manufacturing kratom products anywhere in the state
• Bringing kratom into Indiana, including ordering it online for delivery

There’s no carve-out for personal use, research, or any other purpose. The ban applies the same way in every Indiana city and county — Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, and everywhere in between.

Kratom offenses fall under Indiana’s controlled substance analog laws, and the charges scale with the offense:

• Possession can be charged as a Level 6 felony under Indiana Code § 35-48-4-7, which carries six months to two and a half years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
• Dealing or distribution carries steeper penalties, with felony levels rising based on quantity and other factors — meaning longer sentences and higher fines than simple possession.

One thing worth knowing: Indiana doesn’t care where you bought your kratom. Even passing through the state with kratom purchased legally elsewhere can lead to criminal charges, since out-of-state legality isn’t a recognized defense here.

As of the most recent update, no bill to repeal or soften Indiana’s kratom ban is moving through the General Assembly. Past attempts to introduce KCPA-style legislation haven’t made it past committee. The fact that neighboring states have adopted regulatory frameworks instead of bans keeps drawing attention to Indiana’s stricter stance. But without a bill actually gaining traction in committee, the current law stays in place. Anyone wanting to track developments can watch the Indiana General Assembly’s website or check a kratom legality tracker for updates.

Legitimate kratom vendors won’t ship to Indiana addresses, since doing so would violate state law. If you’re an Indiana resident, ordering kratom online — even from a seller based elsewhere — carries legal risk, because possession within state lines is what triggers the charge, not where the product came from.

• Indiana General Assembly — Senate Enrolled Act 305 (2014)
• Indiana Code § 35-48-4 — Offenses Relating to Controlled Substances