A Formal Statement from 7-HOPE Alliance on Kratom Scheduling Actions in Montana and North Dakota
The recent actions in Montana and North Dakota to move toward scheduling kratom are heartbreaking for consumers who rely on products from across the kratom plant.
These are not victories for public health. They are losses for real people.
For years, the kratom community was built around compassion: people sharing their experiences, supporting one another and working together to preserve access. Today, that community is navigating a more difficult environment, with growing disagreement, competing messages and understandable confusion about the differences between kratom products.
The developments in Montana and North Dakota are a painful reminder of what can happen when that confusion reaches policymakers. Nuance can quickly be lost, distinctions can disappear, and discussions that begin around one product can expand into much broader restrictions affecting consumers across the entire kratom community.
That is why we believe this moment calls for less division and more understanding. Whatever form of kratom someone relies on, the larger goal should remain the same: protecting consumers, advancing responsible regulation and ensuring that policy is guided by science rather than fear or confusion.
That is why 7-HOPE Alliance will continue to oppose the scheduling of any part of the kratom plant and support thoughtful, science-based regulation focused on responsible manufacturing, appropriate age restrictions, accurate labeling, testing, consumer education and public safety.
To the consumers in Montana and North Dakota who are frightened, angry or wondering what comes next: we see you, and we are deeply sorry that this is happening. We will continue fighting for you.
And to every organization, advocate, scientist, business and consumer in this community, including those who have disagreed with us: our door remains open.
This moment should not be about choosing sides. It should be about choosing people.
We are asking the entire kratom community to come back together under a bigger tent, one large enough to recognize that people have different experiences, different needs and different products that work for them. We do not have to agree on everything to agree that prohibition should not be the answer.
We are all kratom. And protecting this community means making room for every voice within it.
