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Controversial Utah Bill Calls for Ban on Kratom

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Lauren Steinbrecher
• Published on
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Utah Insight

Utahns are weighing in on a controversial bill that would ban kratom, a plant extract commonly sold in natural leaf powder and synthetic forms. 


More than two dozen people gave emotional testimony during a hearing on Capitol Hill this week, with some saying a ban would be devastating to their lives—and others saying kratom is addictive and, in some cases, fatal. 

Many say the natural—not synthetic—form of kratom provides therapeutic benefits for addiction and medical conditions. 

“It gave me the ability to function in life again,” said a man named Matt, who didn’t give his last name at the hearing. He said he is a recovering addict who suffers from panic attacks and used to misuse benzodiazepines, cocaine, and OxyContin.  “For 13 years I've used kratom responsibly. My dose has remained the exact same… and I live a productive, law-abiding life.” 

Bill sponsor, Senate Majority Assistant Whip Michael McKell (R-Spanish Fork), said kratom products are potent and harmful. While it’s illegal to sell to anyone under 18, he said it’s still easy for minors to buy it. 

“Right now, we have a problem. We need to resolve it,” Sen. McKell said to PBS Utah, during Senate media availability. “It's dangerous the way it's targeted our kids, the way it's sold in gas stations.” 

During the hearing, Sen. McKell brought in the testimony of Logan Regional Hospital ER physician Dr. Ryan Stolworthy, who said he’s seeing a rise in health problems related to kratom. 

“The two issues that we're seeing with kratom is overdose with kratom, as well as withdrawal for kratom,” Dr. Stolworthy said. “We had one death, I believe, in the last four months with a kratom overdose.” 

Dr. Stolworthy went on to explain that he thinks one of the biggest issues is the variability in potency, and lack of regulation in the way it’s produced. 

The Food and Drug Administration does not currently regulate kratom. 

Those who support the bill testified that their family members became addicted to kratom, and in some instances, died from kratom overdose. 

Lance Crump of Eagle Mountain said he’s now a widower, after losing his wife “to this product.” 

WATCH: Should Utah Ban Kratom? | Utah Insight: 2026 Legislative Session

“In the beginning, she was just looking for something to heal her… to the credit of what it's been doing, it really was a miracle drug,” he testified. “But she didn't know. I didn't know… and so it ended in a tragedy for my family.” 

“It's not a harmless substance. It’s a mind altering, addictive substance being openly sold in gas stations,” said Amy Cooper, who said her son began drinking kratom as “a harmless wellness drink.” 

“Over time, the substance changed how he saw it and functioned. He lost his job, dropped out of school and moved out of state,” she said. “Thankfully, he's one of the lucky ones who is now 35 days clean, working with professionals to get his life back.” 

But Utahns who spoke against the bill say for them, the alternative to kratom would be negatively life-altering because of the healing benefits they’ve found. 

Many said their issue is banning the pure leaf form, and they urged Utah Senators to keep that form of kratom legal versus the synthetic form. 

Laura Romney from Layton said she has a severe facial nerve disease, and that nothing worked to help her manager her pain until she found kratom nine years ago. 

“I am a success story. I have incredible, health,” Romney said. “I'm able to participate in life, I am able to take care of my family and my kids all because of this. The greatest thing about it is it makes me feel more normal and not altered in any way.” 

She continued that she felt her life is now “on trial,” because of the severe pain she’ll be in if kratom were to be banned. 

“To see that this could be taken away from me, is just devastating,” Romney said. 

Some suggested kratom be regulated like medical cannabis, and in speaking with PBS Utah, Sen. McKell seemed open to the idea. 

“The testimony was really clear from the folks that you saw there. They use kratom in a medical way,” he said. “Because they use it in a medical way, if this drug continues to be sold in the state of Utah, we should have a medical avenue.” 

He’s hoping his bill can become law, so that state can “put a stop to it and regroup.” 

“I think we need to ban it first,” Sen. McKell said, adding, “and if the industry wants to work on finding a medical pathway forward, I certainly don't oppose that.” 

The bill passed out of committee and is moving through the Senate.