American Kratom Association Applauds Governor Walz and Minnesota Legislature for Enacting Statewide Kratom Consumer Protections
Washington, D.C. — May 11, 2026 -- The American Kratom Association (AKA) recognizes Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Representative Hanson and her colleagues in the Minnesota Legislature for enacting legislation that establishes clear statewide protections governing the sale of kratom products, including a minimum purchase age of 21 years old and legal recognition of kratom products for adult consumers.
“Governor Walz and the Minnesota Legislature should be commended for recognizing that thoughtful regulation is far preferable to misinformation-driven prohibition,” said Mac Haddow, Senior Fellow on Public Policy for the AKA. “By establishing a clear minimum age requirement of 21 and affirming the legality of kratom products for adult consumers, Minnesota has taken an important step toward protecting both public health and consumer choice.”
The AKA noted that millions of Americans use traditional kratom products responsibly, often as part of their personal wellness routines or as an alternative to more dangerous substances, including opioids. The organization emphasized that effective public policy must distinguish between traditional natural kratom products and increasingly prevalent chemically manipulated or synthetic compounds being falsely marketed as “kratom.”
“We look forward to working collaboratively with Minnesota lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session to strengthen consumer protections through a comprehensive Kratom Consumer Protection Act framework,” Haddow added. “That includes product testing standards, accurate labeling requirements, age verification safeguards, restrictions on dangerous chemically manipulated 7-hydroxymitragynine products, and enforcement mechanisms designed to keep unsafe products out of the marketplace.
