Rhode Island Kratom Act Sets Licensing, Age and Labelling Rules for Legal Sales

The Rhode Island Kratom Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.12) took effect on April 1, 2026, creating a licensed pathway for businesses to manufacture, import, distribute and sell kratom, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health’s kratom licensing page.

Under the law, sales to anyone under 21 are prohibited, products must be kept behind counters accessible only to store employees, and kratom products must meet labelling and child-resistant packaging standards. Kratom products containing synthetic alkaloids are prohibited, and the law also sets limits on mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine content. Initial application fees for manufacturer, importer and distributor licences are $2,000, and $1,000 for retailers, through the end of 2027, according to the statute.

The department can require third-party laboratory testing of a product, and unlicensed sellers face fines. Together, the provisions describe a regulated, licensed market for adults rather than a blanket prohibition, administered through the department’s Center for Food Protection.