Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City leaders have passed a new law that would take some unregulated substances off store shelves and make it harder to sell others that are often offered in gas stations and convenience stores.
Last week, Mayor Quinton Lucas and the City Council passed a law that focuses on synthetic kratom products and sets age and license regulations for selling natural kratom.
The idea was initially brought up in December 2025. After getting feedback from the public and talking with council members, the final version focused on banning synthetic forms that were seen as particularly harmful and setting clear requirements for items made from natural kratom. City officials said their goal is to deal with health and safety issues related to products that have been sold as legal alternatives even though they don’t get much government monitoring.
Mayor Lucas said that the law was a sensible way to keep neighborhoods and young people safe from drugs that are linked to addiction and overdose risks.
“Gas station drugs are sold with virtually no oversight or safety testing,” said Mayor Lucas.
“They’re marketed as legal alternatives, but they can be just as dangerous as illegal drugs—leading to addiction, overdoses, and harming our neighborhoods and young people. This law takes a common-sense approach to protect public health and public safety while keeping our communities safe.”
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Council members who supported the program agreed, saying that community advocacy was a big part of getting it passed and making Kansas City a leader in public health.
The new guidelines include that stores can’t sell kratom products that are meant to be smoked or vaped, or those that look like sweets. It is against the law to make synthetic versions of 7-OH. People 21 and older can still buy natural kratom, but retailers must keep it out of reach of kids.
Companies that want to keep selling natural kratom must additionally get a special city license.
“I’m grateful to the constituents who advocated to remove these harmful products from our gas stations and convenience stores,” said Councilman Nathan Willett, co-sponsor on the ordinance. “Kansas City is taking the lead on protecting public health.”
After the law goes into effect, stores will have 60 days to meet the new requirements. City officials said the transition period is meant to give retailers time to change and make sure the new protections are put in place quickly.
