Is Kratom Legal in Michigan?

As of the most recent update on April 17, 2026, no state law bans kratom in Michigan. Adults can legally buy, own, and use it. That said, a bill called HB 5537 has moved further through the legislature than any previous attempt to restrict kratom in the state, and it’s worth paying attention to. HB 5537 was introduced during the 2025–2026 session to amend the Michigan Penal Code (1931 PA 328, MCL 750.1–750.568) by adding a new Section 473a. The goal is straightforward: ban the cultivation, synthesis, sale, and distribution of kratom and synthetic kratom variants statewide. On March 18, 2026, the Michigan House passed the bill by a vote of 56-48. The bill then moved to the Senate Government Operations Committee on March 24, 2026, where it currently sits awaiting action. Before HB 5537 can become law, it needs to pass the full Senate, possibly go through a conference committee if senators amend it, and get the governor’s signature. Under Michigan law, new legislation typically takes effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns for the session unless the bill specifies an earlier effective date — and this one doesn’t. This isn’t Michigan’s first attempt at regulating kratom. Back in 2017, HB 4856 tried to classify kratom as a Schedule II controlled substance, but it never made it out of committee. HB 5537 takes a different tack: instead of scheduling kratom alongside other controlled substances, it creates a standalone criminal prohibition focused specifically on production and sale. The American Kratom Association has come out against HB 5537, pushing instead for a Kratom Consumer Protection Act model. That approach would regulate kratom through safety standards, mandatory lab testing, and age restrictions rather than banning it outright. The organization has urged Michigan residents to reach out to their state senators about the bill. It’s worth remembering that a bill passing one chamber doesn’t make it law — plenty of bills clear the House or Senate and then stall in the other chamber. Still, a 56-48 vote signals real support for a ban, and Michigan consumers shouldn’t dismiss the possibility that this becomes law.

Timeline So Far

• 2017: HB 4856 sought to classify kratom as Schedule II. It died in committee without a floor vote.
• February 2026: HB 5537 introduced in the House, proposing a ban on kratom production and sale via an amendment to the Penal Code.
• March 18, 2026: House passes HB 5537, 56-48.
• March 24, 2026: Bill referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee.
• March 30, 2026: No committee hearing or vote scheduled yet.
• April 17, 2026: Bill still sits in committee. No hearing scheduled. Kratom remains legal.

Full bill text and updates are tracked on LegiScan’s HB 5537 page.

Michigan has no statewide minimum age for buying kratom right now. Individual retailers can set their own age policies, but there’s no law requiring it. Any adult in the state can legally buy kratom from a local shop or an online vendor that ships to Michigan. If HB 5537 passes, though, the age question becomes moot — the bill doesn’t just restrict sales to minors, it bans sales entirely, for everyone. It does include harsher penalties specifically for selling to anyone under 18, but the core of the bill is a blanket prohibition. Groups favoring the Consumer Protection Act approach argue that age restrictions paired with safety testing would serve consumers better than an outright ban.

Since kratom remains legal, Michigan residents can buy it from smoke shops, botanical specialty stores, and online retailers that ship within the state. Amazing Botanicals offers a range of lab-tested kratom products for those looking for a reliable online option. Buying online often gives Michigan consumers access to things local shops may not offer — third-party lab results, a wider product selection, and better pricing. Look for vendors that publish certificates of analysis and follow good manufacturing practices.

Kratom is legal under state law in every Michigan city, including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint, and Kalamazoo. But one city has gone its own way. On May 24, 2026, the Sterling Heights City Council in Macomb County passed a local ordinance banning kratom sales within city limits, effective June 5, 2026. That ordinance targets businesses, not individuals — it doesn’t outlaw personal possession or use. Retailers caught selling kratom in Sterling Heights risk having their business license denied or revoked. As of the most recent update, Sterling Heights remains the only Michigan municipality with a local kratom ban. If HB 5537 becomes law, though, a statewide ban would override any city-by-city patchwork.