Philadelphia City Council has passed a bill that defines kratom and hemp products as intoxicating substances and ties their retail sale to FDA approval. For natural-leaf kratom, no practical FDA approval pathway currently exists, so the effect is prohibition rather than regulation. Hemp and kratom products are not affected until November 12, 2026, and all three Philadelphia stores remain open and operating as normal. This article explains what passed, where we stand, and how you can still make your voice heard before the effective date.
Philadelphia City Council has passed 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, ties retail sales of these products to FDA approval, and 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. By conditioning legal kratom sales on FDA approval, the bill effectively eliminates access to natural-leaf kratom products. As written, the practical effect is prohibition, not regulation.
The bill carries a November 12, 2026 effective date. Until that date, hemp and kratom products are not affected, which gives the products a runway of several months and gives the city time for continued dialogue. The kratom language in the bill is also 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 ›
“We respect the Council's commitment to consumer safety, but we are concerned this bill moved forward without adequate consideration of the scientific research, industry expertise, and testimony provided by Philadelphia residents who rely on these products. The goal should be a regulatory framework that protects consumers while preserving a pathway for compliant, responsible operators to continue serving adult consumers.”
Jason BrandlChief Operating Officer, CBD Kratom
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 require third-party testing, product transparency, trained staff, and adults-only sales, which is 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.
We urge the City of Philadelphia to follow the approach taken at the state level, where Pennsylvania lawmakers have proposed a responsible, structured regulatory framework for hemp and kratom that protects consumers without eliminating access. That is the same standard advanced by the Kratom Consumer Protection Act: clear definitions, transparent labeling, third-party testing, and adult-only sales.
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, serving thousands of Philadelphia customers who rely on these products as part of their daily wellness routines. 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.
The voice of the community was clear
During the public comment period, more than 50 individuals testified before the Council, and every speaker testified against the bill. Veterans, people in recovery, patients managing chronic pain, and wellness consumers all shared firsthand accounts of how kratom and hemp products have meaningfully improved their quality of life.
Federal research continues to advance
The vote also comes as the National Institutes of Health moves forward with clinical research into compounds derived from natural kratom leaf as a potential tool in addressing opioid use disorder. The decision to advance this research reflects growing scientific interest in better understanding kratom's potential benefits, risks, and role in public health.
The bill has passed, but the conversation is not over. With a November 12, 2026 effective date, there is still time before any change takes effect, and continued dialogue can result in amendments that strengthen consumer protections, establish clear accountability for retailers, and preserve responsible access. Council members count phone calls and in-person visits from constituents far more than written email, especially anything that looks like a templated petition. A 2-minute phone call from a real person who lives in their district remains the single most effective thing you can do.
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 them to support amendments before the November 12 effective date.
- 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.
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.
The bill passed. 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. Hemp and kratom products are not affected until November 12, 2026. We will communicate any change to availability directly and in advance. You will not be caught off guard.
Now that it passed, what happens to my hemp products?
Hemp and kratom products are not affected until the November 12, 2026 effective date. Your favorites stay on the shelves through that date, and we are working toward amendments that could preserve responsible access beyond it.
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, and we are engaging with Council on amendments. 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 bill. 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 this develops?
Sign up for updates and check this article. We will post developments here, including any amendments, legal action, or changes to access ahead of the November 12, 2026 effective date.
