MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota Raises Legal Age for Buying and Possessing Kratom to 21

ST. PAUL, MN (August 4, 2026). Minnesotans must now be at least 21 years old to legally purchase or possess kratom under a new state law that took effect August 1.

The legislation raises the legal age from 18 and creates criminal consequences for unlawful possession or sales involving people younger than 21.

Under Chapter 63 of Minnesota’s 2026 session laws, a person who unlawfully sells any amount of kratom to someone younger than 21 is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

A person younger than 21 who unlawfully possesses kratom is guilty of a misdemeanor.

The law also covers substances containing mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly abbreviated as 7-OH. It applies to crimes committed on or after August 1.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom is derived from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia. Products are sold in several forms, including powders, capsules, extracts, beverages and concentrated preparations.

Kratom can produce different effects depending on the amount and product. Some users report stimulant-like effects, while others use it for sedative or opioid-like effects.

Some people have also reported using kratom to manage pain or symptoms associated with withdrawal from other substances.

Kratom products are available through some smoke shops, specialty retailers, gas stations and online sellers. The products have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for medical treatment.

Health officials have raised concerns about addiction, contamination, inconsistent potency and adverse reactions. Concerns have become particularly pronounced around concentrated products containing elevated levels of 7-OH.

Minnesota’s First Major Age Restriction

The age increase represents Minnesota’s first major statewide restriction specifically directed at who may purchase and possess kratom.

The legislation amended Minnesota Statutes governing the sale and possession of the substance. It was presented to Gov. Tim Walz on May 4 and signed May 5.

The law does not impose a statewide prohibition on adults 21 and older. Instead, it establishes an age boundary similar to restrictions applied to other substances that present potential health and dependency risks.

The Minnesota Department of Health provides public information about kratom, its active compounds and health concerns associated with its use.

Criminal Distinctions

The law establishes different levels of criminal responsibility for sellers and younger purchasers.

An unlawful seller can face a gross-misdemeanor charge, which is more serious than the misdemeanor classification applied to unlawful possession by someone younger than 21.

The statutory language applies to “any amount” of kratom or a substance containing the compounds identified in the law.

Enforcement will depend on the circumstances of individual cases and the evidence available to police and prosecutors.

Businesses selling kratom will need to verify that customers meet the new age requirement. Consumers who were legally eligible to purchase kratom at 18, 19 or 20 before August 1 are no longer legally eligible under the amended law.

Why This Matters

Kratom has occupied an uncertain space in American drug policy.

It is widely available in commercial settings, yet some of its compounds produce effects associated with controlled substances. Products may vary considerably in composition and strength, making it difficult for consumers to know precisely what they are taking.

Minnesota’s new law does not resolve every question surrounding kratom regulation. It does not establish a comprehensive statewide system governing manufacturing standards, ingredient testing, labeling or product potency.

It does, however, create a clear age requirement and gives retailers, consumers and law enforcement a specific statutory standard.

For families, the most immediate consequence is straightforward: Minnesotans younger than 21 can no longer legally buy or possess kratom, and businesses that sell it to them could face gross-misdemeanor charges.

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