BREAKING – EXECUTIVE ACTION

North Dakota: Governor Orders Kratom Ban

Governor Armstrong and Lt. Governor Wrigley announce executive actions to ban unregulated kratom. The Kratom Substance Abuse Control Act moves to classify kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance. Now is the time to contact your legislators and secure a permanent ban.

July 20, 2026 · Read the full announcement →

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS TAKE ACTION EXECUTIVE ACTION DETAILS

Executive Action: Kratom Substance Abuse Control Act

What the Governor Announced

On July 20, 2026, Governor Kelly Armstrong and Lt. Governor Michelle Wrigley announced executive actions to ban the unregulated drug kratom in North Dakota. The administration cited growing concerns over kratom's safety, lack of medical approval, and the absence of effective regulation.

"Kratom is an unregulated opioid sold in gas stations and vape shops with no oversight. North Dakota families deserve protection from this dangerous substance. We are taking executive action to classify kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance."
— Governor Kelly Armstrong

Key provisions of the executive action:

Schedule I classification – Kratom (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) will be listed as Schedule I controlled substances under North Dakota law.
Immediate retail prohibition – Sales, distribution, and possession of kratom products will be prohibited across the state.
Public health coordination – The Department of Health and Human Services will issue public health advisories and coordinate with law enforcement for enforcement.
Legislative follow-up – The administration will work with the North Dakota Legislative Assembly to codify the ban in statute.

This is a major victory for public health. But the fight is not over. The executive action must be followed by permanent legislative action. Your voice matters more than ever. Contact your state representatives and senators to ensure the ban is codified into law.

Read the official press release from the Governor's office →

Why a Full Ban Matters

Kratom is not safe. The FDA has warned that kratom has no approved medical use and is not a dietary supplement. Products contain lead, alcohol, and highly concentrated extracts that have caused addiction, poisonings, and deaths.

The KCPA trap: States that adopted Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) laws — with "regulatory" frameworks — have seen no reduction in poisonings, hospitalizations, or deaths. The only effective solution is a complete Schedule I ban.

North Dakota now has an opportunity to lead. The governor's executive action sets the stage for a permanent ban. Your legislators need to hear from you.

Take Action Now

Contact your legislators — Use the list below to email every state senator and representative. Tell them to support codifying the Schedule I ban.
Share the news — Spread the governor's announcement on social media. Tag your local representatives and thank Governor Armstrong for his leadership.
Attend hearings — When legislative hearings begin, show up and testify. Share your story or your professional expertise.
Recruit allies — Reach out to medical professionals, pharmacists, law enforcement, and community leaders. Ask them to publicly support the ban.
Document retail sales — Even with the executive action, some retailers may continue selling. Document kratom displays and report violations.

Read the Full Announcement More Ways to Fight Back

North Dakota Legislative Assembly – Contact Every Member

Below is the complete list of all 141 members of North Dakota's 69th Legislative Assembly. Use the search box to find your district, or copy any email address to send a message.

Suggested subject line: "Support codifying the kratom Schedule I ban"
Suggested message: "I am a constituent urging you to support permanent legislation to ban kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance. The governor's executive action is a critical first step. Please ensure this ban is codified into law. Kratom is an unregulated opioid that has no medical use and causes serious harm."

Senate

47 members

Click the copy button next to any email to copy it to your clipboard.

House of Representatives

94 members

Click the copy button next to any email to copy it to your clipboard.

Total: 141 legislators · All emails end with @ndlegis.gov

Call Script for Legislators

When calling a legislator's office:

"Hello, my name is [NAME] and I'm a constituent from [CITY/TOWN]. I'm calling to urge [SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE NAME] to support codifying the governor's executive action to ban kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance. Kratom is an unregulated opioid that has caused poisonings and deaths. Please ensure the ban is made permanent in the next legislative session. Thank you for your time."

The Governor Has Acted — Now It's Up to Us

The executive action is a historic step forward. But only permanent legislation will ensure that kratom stays off North Dakota shelves for good.

Are you a healthcare professional, parent, educator, addiction specialist, law enforcement officer, or community advocate in North Dakota? Make your voice heard.

Contact Legislators Share the Evidence Get Involved