Kansas City Cracks Down on Kratom and Synthetic 7-OH Sales

Missouri city requires separate licenses for kratom sellers as Kansas bans the product and its synthetic derivative

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:55am

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image revealing the intricate molecular structures of a kratom leaf and a 7-OH molecule, conceptually illustrating the scientific and regulatory complexities surrounding these substances.An X-ray view of the molecular structures behind the growing regulatory battle over kratom and the synthetic drug 7-OH in the Kansas City region.Kansas City Today

Kansas City, Missouri, has taken steps to further regulate the sale of kratom and the synthetic drug 7-OH, which has been described as "gas station heroin." The city council has approved an ordinance requiring kratom sellers to obtain a special $500 license, similar to alcohol and tobacco permits. Meanwhile, the state of Kansas has banned kratom and 7-OH outright, classifying them as Schedule I substances. These actions come as Missouri's attorney general has filed a lawsuit seeking to shut down a Kansas City-based company, American Shaman, that had been profiting from the sale of 7-OH.

Why it matters

The crackdown on kratom and 7-OH in the Kansas City area highlights growing concerns over the accessibility and dangers of these substances, which have been linked to addiction and overdoses. Officials on both sides of the state line are taking steps to limit the availability of these products, which had previously been widely sold at gas stations and other retail outlets.

The details

In Kansas City, Missouri, the city council approved an ordinance requiring kratom sellers to obtain a special $500 license, similar to those required for alcohol and tobacco. This is part of a broader effort to further regulate the sale of kratom, which had previously been available to anyone. Meanwhile, the state of Kansas has gone a step further, banning both kratom and its synthetic derivative 7-OH outright, classifying them as Schedule I substances alongside drugs like heroin. These actions come as the Missouri Attorney General has filed a lawsuit seeking to shut down American Shaman, a Kansas City-based company that had been profiting from the sale of 7-OH, which has been described as "stronger than morphine and highly addictive."

  • In November 2025, the Kansas City, Missouri City Council started looking into regulations for 7-OH and kratom.
  • In February 2026, Kansas City banned synthetic 7-OH within city limits.
  • On April 17, 2026, the Kansas City, Missouri City Council approved an ordinance requiring kratom sellers to apply for a special $500 license.
  • Last week, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed a bill that added kratom and its synthetic derivative 7-OH to the state's list of Schedule I substances.
  • Two weeks ago, Missouri's Attorney General filed a lawsuit against American Shaman and asked the court to shut down the company's operations.

The players

Nathan Willett

Kansas City, Missouri City Councilman who has called for banning 7-OH, saying "It is absolutely terrible — you've seen what it's done to certain folks in our community."

Joey Thomas

A recovering housing manager at Healing House KC who questioned how products like 7-OH can be sold alongside items like Gatorade.

Daniel Neill

Midwest HIDTA Executive Director who believes the Kansas ban on kratom and 7-OH will give law enforcement "the teeth" to arrest or charge individuals in possession of these substances.

Vince Sanders

The founder of American Shaman, a Kansas City-based company that had been selling 7-OH and is now facing a lawsuit from Missouri's Attorney General seeking to shut down the company's operations.

Maggie Nurrenbern

A Missouri state senator who proposed a bill to ban 7-OH statewide, which has been progressing through the legislature.

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What they’re saying

“[7-OH] should be banned. It is absolutely terrible — you've seen what it's done to certain folks in our community.”

— Nathan Willett, Kansas City, Missouri City Councilman

“How come I can go buy Gatorade at the same place I can buy something that can get me high?”

— Joey Thomas, Recovering housing manager at Healing House KC

“I think it would give law enforcement the teeth when they see it or recognize it on somebody to be able to arrest or charge somebody.”

— Daniel Neill, Midwest HIDTA Executive Director

“The vast majority of people that are using too much 7-OH would be using fentanyl otherwise, and would be a whole lot worse off.”

— Vince Sanders, Founder of American Shaman

“Kansas City led the region. I'm very proud of that.”

— Nathan Willett, Kansas City, Missouri City Councilman

What’s next

Missouri's bill proposing a statewide ban on 7-OH has been perfected in committee and is currently scheduled to be brought up on the floor. A spokesperson for Missouri Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, the Clay County elected official who first proposed the bill, told KSHB 41 News they are hopeful the bill will make positive progress in the last four weeks of the session.

The takeaway

The actions taken by Kansas City, Missouri, and the state of Kansas to regulate or ban kratom and the synthetic drug 7-OH highlight the growing concerns over the accessibility and dangers of these substances. Officials on both sides of the state line are working to limit the availability of these products, which have been linked to addiction and overdoses, in an effort to protect public health and safety.