Starting next month, Missoula County will ban the sale of kratom products in retail food businesses to limit access to this unregulated substance known for its opioid-like effects. The county health department is taking this step to address public health concerns, especially minimizing exposure to children and unsuspecting consumers.
On September 25, retail food establishments received a letter from the health department, emphasizing that kratom food and drink products are not approved for sale in the U.S., with enforcement set to begin after November 2 inspections.
Shannon Therriault, the department’s environmental health director, reported to county commissioners that kratom, linked to 29 overdose deaths in Montana between 2020 and 2025, is addictive and unregulated. Therriault expressed a desire to reduce kratom availability, especially among children, who may perceive it as a harmless herbal product.
Kratom, from a Southeast Asian tree, is sold in forms like teas and powders, marketed as mood stabilizers or pain relievers. These products often contain concentrated kratom, acting as opiates and risk addiction or overdose, according to Confluence Health Alliance.
The FDA has not approved any kratom products and considers it an unsafe food additive. Consequently, Missoula’s health department will ensure retail food outlets comply with this regulation.
The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council banned kratom on their reservation last September, aiming to curb product usage and penalize retailers.
RiverStone Health in Yellowstone County outlawed kratom sales in January and sued businesses in May to enforce this ban. Inspired by these actions, Missoula County investigated kratom availability, finding 12 out of 23 visited businesses selling the product.
Despite some retailer concerns about selective enforcement, few have challenged the pending restriction. Jeanna Miller, Missoula’s chief health officer, acknowledges the broader community health risks, though enforcement currently targets only retail food businesses.
While the Montana Legislature did not enact kratom regulations in 2025, Therriault anticipates future discussions, aiming to inform legislators about kratom’s public health risks and advocate for statewide regulation.
The post Missoula County to prohibit sale of kratom in retail food businesses appeared first on Montana Free Press.
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