A 2-minute phone call from a constituent moves a Philadelphia council member more than any email or letter. A bill that would effectively end the sale of kratom and most hemp products at our three Philadelphia stores goes to first reading Thursday, May 28. The earliest full Council vote is Thursday, June 4 at 10 AM in City Hall, Building 400. If you live in Philadelphia and kratom or hemp matters to you, this article tells you what is happening, where we stand, and exactly what to do this week.
On May 21, 2026, a Philadelphia City Council committee approved a bill introduced by Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson that defines kratom and hemp-derived products as “intoxicating substances.” The bill creates a new Intoxicating Substance Retailer License and ties retail sales of these products to FDA approval. It also restricts sales to people 21 and older.
For natural-leaf kratom, the FDA approval pathway does not currently exist. There is no approved kratom product on the market and no straightforward route to obtaining one. As written, the practical effect of the bill is prohibition, not regulation.
The bill is scheduled for first reading on Thursday, May 28. Under Philadelphia City Council rules, no vote can happen at first reading. The earliest the full Council can vote is Thursday, June 4 at 10 AM in City Hall, Building 400. That is the date that matters.
Hemp has a November 12, 2026 effective date, which gives hemp products a 5+ month runway. Kratom has no such runway, and the kratom language in the bill is legally vague, which our counsel is evaluating closely.
Which stores this affects
Affected by the bill
Center City West
212 S 17th Street
South Street
524 South Street
Wynnefield Heights
City Avenue corridor
Not affected · operating as normal
Media (Delaware County)
443 E Baltimore Avenue
Outside Philadelphia city limits. Not subject to this ordinance.
Online orders ship as normal nationwide.
See all 55+ CBD Kratom locations ›
Regulate, Do Not Prohibit.
We support sensible regulation. Age limits, third-party lab testing, licensed retailers, and meaningful enforcement against bad actors are all reasonable steps. We already operate to a higher standard than what this bill is trying to address.
What this bill does is different. By tying kratom sales to an FDA approval pathway that does not yet exist for natural-leaf kratom, it converts regulation into prohibition. It treats a licensed, professional retailer the same as the unregulated storefronts the bill is meant to address.
CBD Kratom and MNG Brands support the regulatory framework advanced by the Kratom Consumer Protection Act: clear definitions, transparent labeling, third-party testing, and adult-only sales. That is what good kratom policy looks like, and it is the version of this conversation we want to be having with Council.
We have been part of this city for years. We are a licensed retailer with trained staff and a national footprint of more than 55 stores. We sell only full-spectrum kratom, not 7-OH concentrates, because that is the responsible product standard. We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for the distinction this bill, as written, does not make.
The line we are asking Council to hold is the line between regulation and prohibition.
Trained staff, third-party tested products, full Certificates of Analysis available on request, adults only at every register. Our model is exactly the standard the city says it wants from retailers in this category.
Storefronts with no testing, no age verification, and no accountability. We agree these need to be addressed. As written, the bill does not distinguish them from a professional retailer.
Council members count phone calls and in-person visits from constituents. Written email, especially anything that looks like a templated petition, gets discounted. A 2-minute phone call from a real person who lives in their district is the single most effective thing you can do this week.
Here is the entire script:
- State your name and that you are a constituent in the council member's district.
- Say you are calling about the intoxicating substances bill.
- Ask for a NO vote.
- Briefly say why it matters to you: routine, wellness, livelihood, or a preference for legal access over unregulated alternatives.
That is it. You do not need to be an expert. You do not need talking points. The fact that you took the time to call is the message.
If you can be there in person, the full Council session is Thursday, June 4 at 10 AM in City Hall, Building 400. Public comment on the record carries real weight, and the lobbying team will be present.
The Framework We Support
The Kratom Consumer Protection Act, or KCPA, is the model regulatory framework supported by the American Kratom Association and adopted in some form by more than ten states. It is the version of this conversation Council should be having. The right regulatory framework should:
- Define kratom products clearly
- Require third-party lab testing
- Restrict sales to adults 21 and over
- Mandate transparent product labeling
- License retailers with state-issued credentials
- Enforce against unregulated bad actors
This framework protects consumers, gives the city the enforcement tools it actually needs, and preserves access for the adults who rely on these products responsibly. It is also the framework we already meet. Read more about why we sell only full-spectrum kratom and avoid 7-OH concentrates, which is the kind of product standard the city should be encouraging, not banning.
What happens if I shop at one of the Philadelphia stores right now?
Nothing changes today. All three Philadelphia stores are open and operating as normal. We will communicate any change to availability directly and in advance. You will not be caught off guard.
If the bill passes, what happens to my hemp products?
Hemp products have a November 12, 2026 effective date, which gives them at least a 5+ month runway. Your hemp favorites stay on the shelves through that date regardless of the vote outcome.
If the bill passes, what happens to kratom?
The kratom language in the bill is legally vague. We are working with counsel to evaluate every available path including a possible legal challenge. Kratom remains for sale today and we will communicate any change directly and in advance.
I do not live in Philadelphia. Can I still help?
The most effective callers are Philadelphia residents speaking to their own council member, because council members weigh constituent calls heavily. If you have friends or family in the city, the most helpful thing you can do is share this article with them.
What about the Media (Delaware County) store?
Media is in Delaware County, outside Philadelphia city limits, and is not subject to this ordinance. That store continues to operate normally regardless of the vote outcome. Find directions to Media or any of our 55+ locations.
Can I still order online?
Yes. Online orders ship as normal nationwide and are not affected by this Philadelphia ordinance. Browse the full catalog.
What is the Kratom Consumer Protection Act?
The KCPA is a model state-level regulatory framework developed by the American Kratom Association. It sets clear definitions, third-party testing requirements, labeling standards, and adult-only sales restrictions. More than ten states have adopted some version of it. CBD Kratom actively supports KCPA-style regulation.
How can I follow updates as the vote approaches?
Sign up for updates and check this article. We will post the result of the June 4 vote here within hours of the decision along with what it means for your access going forward.
