A bill for an act designating kratom as a schedule I controlled substance, and making penalties applicable.

Iowa Senate File 367 (SF367) was introduced on February 19, 2025, by Senator Mark Costello. The bill aimed to classify kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia, as a Schedule I controlled substance in Iowa. This classification would have imposed criminal penalties for possession, with escalating consequences for repeat offenses:

- **First offense**: Serious misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine between $430 and $2,560.

- **Second offense**: Aggravated misdemeanor, punishable by up to 2 years in jail and a fine between $855 and $8,540.

- **Third or subsequent offenses**: Class D felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine between $1,025 and $10,245.

The bill did not address medical use or enforcement beyond these specific criminal penalties for possession. ([legiscan.com](https://legiscan.com/IA/text/SF367/id/3129769?utm_source=openai))

SF367 was assigned to a subcommittee consisting of Senators Taylor, Green, and Quirmbach on February 20, 2025. However, the bill did not progress further and was considered dead in committee. ([legiscan.com](https://legiscan.com/IA/bill/SF367/2025?utm_source=openai))

As of mid-2026, kratom remains legal in Iowa, with no state criminal penalties applied to its possession or sale. However, House File 2133, a bill to reclassify kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance, passed the Iowa House in March 2026 and is pending in the Senate. ([legalclarity.org](https://legalclarity.org/is-kratom-legal-in-iowa-current-status-and-pending-ban/?utm_source=openai))

Regarding media coverage, there is no specific information available about reactions to SF367. However, similar legislative efforts in other states have faced opposition from kratom users and advocates, who argue that such measures could limit access to a substance they use for pain management and other health benefits. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/09/02/ohio-weighs-kratom-legality-dewine-ban?utm_source=openai))

While there is no specific media coverage on Iowa's SF367, similar legislative efforts in other states have faced opposition from kratom users and advocates. For instance, in Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine called for a ban on kratom, labeling it a public health risk. This move was met with resistance from the American Kratom Association, which supports regulation but opposes a total ban. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/09/02/ohio-weighs-kratom-legality-dewine-ban?utm_source=openai))

Similarly, in Utah, there have been considerations for stricter regulations on kratom, particularly targeting the compound 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). The FDA has recommended scheduling 7-OH as a controlled substance, drawing attention to safety concerns. These developments have sparked debates over the balance between public health and individual access to kratom. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/02/utah-kratom-7-ho-ban-fda-schedule-i?utm_source=openai))