South Carolina kratom ban bill stalls in Senate

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A South Carolina bill that would effectively ban kratom statewide is unlikely to advance this year, as senators say they need more information about the controversial substance before taking action.

The legislation, which cleared the House earlier this session, would classify kratom as a Schedule One controlled substance — placing it in the same category as heroin and LSD. Schedule One drugs are defined as having a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical use.

Supporters of the bill, including some medical professionals and law enforcement officials, argue kratom products sold in South Carolina pose serious risks to public health. Critics counter that an outright ban could harm people who rely on kratom to manage pain or reduce opioid use — and could create an illicit black market.

With the legislative session ending Thursday, senators say the bill will not move forward this year.

Kratom is derived from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia and is sold in the United States as powders, pills, gummies and drink additives. While some users tout the plant’s natural properties, doctors in South Carolina warn that many products available at gas stations and convenience stores may contain synthetic compounds.

Dr. Suzanne Schwab, an addiction medicine specialist and associate professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, says those synthetic versions can be dangerous.

“We are experiencing deaths due to kratom,” Schwab said. “We are also having babies born with syndromes similar to opioid addiction from this 7-OH synthetic kratom.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings about kratom use, citing concerns about addiction, toxicity and contamination. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division says kratom is increasingly showing up alongside other illegal drugs.

“It is a poly-drug substance,” said Dr. Todd Huey, a laboratory director with SLED. “We’re seeing it mixed in with opiates and other illicit compounds such as MDMA.”

Despite those concerns, some researchers argue kratom should be regulated — not banned.

Dr. Kirsten Smith, who has studied kratom and addiction for roughly a decade, says existing research does not support placing the substance in Schedule One. She says kratom can help some people reduce dependence on opioids and other drugs.

“Kratom and 7-OH are not categorically dangerous,” Smith said. “They have benefits and risks which require further study and regulation. They should not be scheduled.”

Last year, Gov. Henry McMaster signed a law banning the sale of kratom to anyone under the age of 21. Some lawmakers say businesses expanded under that law in good faith and could be harmed by an abrupt statewide ban.

Democratic Sen. Deon Tedder of Charleston said the Senate has concerns about reversing course so quickly.

“By simply doing what the House is trying to do — just ban it — we would shut down businesses that we enabled with legislation last year,” Tedder said.

Senators say they plan to study the issue further during the off-season, raising the possibility that kratom legislation could return when lawmakers reconvene next year.

For now, kratom laws in South Carolina will remain unchanged.

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