KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Thursday, the Kansas City, Missouri, City Council adopted new regulations on 7-OH and kratom that it hopes will help limit the negative health outcomes experienced by users.
Councilmembers passed the ordinance unanimously, 12-0, establishing a ban on synthetic kratom sales and restricting how natural kratom is sold.
"Gas station drugs are sold with virtually no oversight or safety testing. They're marketed as legal alternatives, but they can be just as dangerous as illegal drugs — leading to addiction, overdoses and harming our neighborhoods and young people," Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a press release. "This law takes a common-sense approach to protect public health and public safety while keeping our communities safe."
LINK | Read more about the ordinance
The initial version of the proposal was introduced by Mayor Lucas in December 2025, and the new version of the ordinance was finalized after the city listened to community feedback.
The City Council's Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee took public comment on the proposed ordinance on Tuesday before it voted to send the measure to the council for its review.
Many urged the committee not to implement an outright ban, while others urged city leaders to include a total ban of both 7-OH and kratom.
"You have an entire population of well-intended people that are becoming addicted to a plant that is entirely legal and without regulation," one speaker, who is in favor of the ordinance, said Tuesday.
Another speaker, who is against the ordinance, suggested banning gas stations and convenience stores from selling the products.
"We don't think a blanket ban is appropriate; we think it goes way too far because there are many consumers who will be hurt by this," another speaker said Tuesday.
The now approved ordinance places a total ban on synthetic 7-OH and certain kratom products, including kratom "that can be smoked, vaped or products that look like candy," per a press release from the city.
Natural kratom will still be allowed for purchase in city limits, but it will be regulated as a 21-and-up item. Stores will be responsible for keeping these products out of reach for those under 21 years old.
The law will also require businesses who wish to sell natural kratom to get a special license from the city.
Stores will have 60 days to follow the new regulations after the law takes effect.
The ordinance recommendation comes after KSHB 41's ongoing series Strong High Weak Laws explored the impacts of 7-OH, often referred to as “gas station heroin,” in the Kansas City metro.
