Dear Advocates,
From West to South, to the Midwest and the Northeast, lawmakers across the country are introducing or advancing legislation that threatens kratom and 7-OH. Some hearings are going well. Others are not. But in every state, one thing is clear: silence is not an option.
We have been working hard to organize our state-by-state response and are launching our state pages. Every state has its own webpage where we will post real-time updates as well as a way to sign up for your local action team.
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TENNESSEE
Tennessee lawmakers are advancing legislation that would severely restrict — and potentially eliminate — access to 7-OH and all kratom products. The proposal mirrors efforts we are seeing in other states that attempt to impose arbitrary percentage caps or functional bans rather than pursue reasonable, science-based regulation.
If you live in Tennessee, now is the time to plug in. Lawmakers are actively reviewing kratom and 7-OH policy, and local voices matter more than ever.
→ Visit the Tennessee Action Page
→ Sign up for the Tennessee Action Group
→ Contact your state legislators and respectfully share your story
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VIRGINIA
In Virginia, lawmakers substituted bill language at the last minute, changing an otherwise strong age-restriction bill into an outright 7-OH ban. The subsequent hearing's tone was challenging, and opposition voices were amplified. But this fight is far from over. We are continuing to push back and ensure lawmakers hear directly from consumers and families who rely on kratom and 7-OH.
Virginia advocates must stay engaged.
→ Visit the Virginia Action Page
→ Join the Virginia Action Team
→ Send a letter to lawmakers
We cannot allow cynical legislative sleight of hand to define the outcome.
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MISSOURI
Missouri was a very different story. This week’s hearing gave the committee serious pause. Opposition testimony appeared exaggerated and disconnected from science, and lawmakers asked important questions. That matters.
Momentum is not guaranteed, but Missouri showed that when facts and lived experience are presented clearly, the narrative shifts.
Now is the time to reinforce that pause.
→ Visit the Missouri Action Page
→ Sign up for the Missouri Action Group
→ Submit written comments and contact your legislators
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KANSAS
In Kansas, a bill banning all kratom and 7-OH products passed out of committee and has been referred to the broader legislative body for review. All Kansas senators need to hear from their constituents immediately.
Kansas advocates must mobilize.
→ Visit the Kansas Action Page
→ Join the Kansas Action Team
→ Prepare to attend or submit testimony
We do not wait for votes. We shape them before they happen.
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NEW YORK
There is an active movement in Nassau County to ban 7-OH and kratom. While Nassau County is a smaller jurisdiction, it is often where broader statewide efforts begin. We are proactively building an action team to prevent this from spreading.
We will also be hosting a virtual advocate call on Tuesday 3/3 at 5pm ET.
New York residents must get organized now.
→ Visit the New York Action Page
→ Sign up for the New York Action Team
→ Register for the virtual advocate call
→ Send a letter to your legislators
If Nassau moves, Albany watches.
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IOWA
Iowa has escalated.
SF 2192 — a bill that would ban all kratom — has been reported out of the Judiciary Committee. This is a full prohibition bill, not a restriction. If passed, it would eliminate access entirely for Iowa consumers.
We are not seeing enough local pushback right now. And that is extremely concerning.
When lawmakers believe constituents are not paying attention, bans move quickly.
Call to Action:
If you are in Iowa, your voice is critical.
→ Visit the Iowa Action Page
→ Reach out to lawmakers (contacts are on our action page)
Iowa needs Iowa voices. Out-of-state advocacy will not stop this. Without strong local engagement, this bill could move forward quietly and quickly.
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PENNSYLVANIA
The biggest threat right now is HB 2158, which is in the House Judiciary. However, there are two other bills targeting 7-OH in the pipeline: SB 899 and HB 2058.
We need to be prepared to fight these - and make our voices heard. For those in Pennsylvania, we are calling on advocates to send letters to lawmakers sharing their stories and opposing these bills.
Call to Action:
→ Visit the Pennsylvania Action Page
→ Sign up for the Pennsylvania Action Team
→ Stay alert for hearing updates
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MASSACHUSETTS
The Joint Committee on Judiciary renumbered and passed a brand new bill targeting 7-OH products exclusively. That legislation, H. 5127, is now headed to House Ways and Means.
Massachusetts advocates should contact the members of House Ways and Means immediately to make their voices heard.
Call to Action:
→ Visit the Massachusetts Action Page [INSERT LINK]
→ Join the Massachusetts Action Group
→ Be prepared to engage with lawmakers
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MARYLAND
Maryland is moving quickly.
Two bills that would ban all kratom are scheduled for hearings:
HB 1523 – Hearing 3/3 at 1:00 PM in House Health
SB 820 – Hearing 3/5 at 1:00 PM in Senate Finance
These are full prohibition bills. If passed, they would eliminate access entirely for Maryland residents.
The timeline is short. Lawmakers will be making decisions immediately following these hearings.
Call to Action:
If you live in Maryland, we need you now.
→ Visit the Maryland Action Page
→ Join the Maryland Action Team immediately
→ Attend the hearing if possible or submit written testimony
→ Contact your legislators before the hearing dates
Maryland cannot move forward without hearing directly from constituents. If lawmakers only hear one side, these bills will advance quickly.
Time is limited. Engagement must happen now.
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ADDITIONAL STATES
We are aware of emerging actions in Arizona and Michigan, along with many other states. We are doing our best to monitor these closely but also NEED YOUR HELP! If you have updates for a state, and feel we should launch an action page and team, please email info@7hopealliance.org and we will try to get one up!
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A FINAL NOTE
What is happening across these states is not organic.
These bills are not emerging from a sudden public health crisis. They are the direct result of a coordinated campaign to target one alkaloid within the kratom plant. By isolating 7-OH and attacking it repeatedly in state after state, opponents are creating a policy domino effect that threatens the entire plant.
What they fail to understand is this: continuing to single out one component will not “protect” kratom. It will normalize prohibition language, invite broader scrutiny, and ultimately pave the way for full kratom bans nationwide.
Division makes prohibition easier.
At 7-HOPE, we believe that we all must come together now to protect the entire plant — before millions lose access altogether.
#WeAreAllKratom
7-HOPE Alliance Team