In early 2026, the City of Spokane and the City of Spokane Valley each passed ordinances banning the sale of kratom within their city limits. The bans came after months of concern from public health officials and police about unregulated kratom and concentrated 7-OH products sold in convenience stores and smoke shops.
If you live in the Spokane area and use kratom, or you’re worried about someone who does, here’s what the bans actually do, what they don’t do, and why they matter for your health.
Quick answer: Selling or distributing kratom is now prohibited in the City of Spokane (effective April 8, 2026) and the City of Spokane Valley (effective March 16, 2026). Violations are civil infractions for businesses, not crimes. Neither ordinance makes it illegal to possess or use kratom. Kratom remains legal and unregulated at the Washington state level.
The City of Spokane Kratom Ban
On March 2, 2026, the Spokane City Council voted 6–1 to approve Ordinance C36820, a proposal introduced by Mayor Lisa Brown in late 2025. The ordinance created a new chapter of the Spokane Municipal Code prohibiting the sale and distribution of kratom products within city limits. It took effect April 8, 2026.
Key points of the Spokane ordinance:
- What’s covered: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) products, including products containing 7-OH, mitragynine, extracts, and synthetic or synthetically derived compounds.
- Who it applies to: Businesses and individuals selling or distributing kratom inside Spokane city limits.
- Penalties: Selling kratom is a civil infraction. Retailers who violate the ban can lose their business license. There are no criminal penalties.
- What’s not banned: Possessing and using kratom are not prohibited.
- Sunset clause: The ban will end if state or federal law preempts it.
Council members said the city lacked the resources to enforce narrower rules like age limits or potency caps, and that a full sales ban was the most practical option in the absence of state regulation.
The Spokane Valley Kratom Ban
One day later, on March 3, 2026, the Spokane Valley City Council voted 6–1 to approve Ordinance 26-003. The Spokane Valley ban is slightly broader than Spokane’s.
- What’s prohibited: The sale, distribution, and advertisement of any kratom product within Spokane Valley.
- Effective date: March 16, 2026, followed by a 30-day education and outreach period for retailers before enforcement began.
- Penalties: Violations are a class 1 civil infraction with a $250 fine, and retailers may have their business license revoked or denied.
Spokane Valley officials, including Police Chief Dave Ellis, pointed to kratom’s addictive potential, its lack of regulation, and its easy availability to people of all ages as reasons for the ban.
Why Spokane-Area Cities Banned Kratom
Kratom contains alkaloids that act on the brain’s opioid receptors. At low doses, it tends to act as a stimulant. At higher doses, its effects resemble opioids. The biggest concern driving local action was the rise of concentrated 7-OH products: tablets, shots, and extracts far more potent than natural kratom leaf, often sold at gas stations with inconsistent or unreliable labeling.
Local leaders also cited:
- No state or federal regulation of kratom products, including no age limits, testing, or labeling requirements
- Youth access, with products sold in convenience stores next to candy and energy drinks
- Overdoses and hospitalizations linked to kratom and 7-OH in the region, including deaths reported in nearby Kootenai County, Idaho
- Limited local enforcement capacity for anything short of a full sales ban
What the Ban Doesn’t Do
The Spokane-area bans limit where kratom can be sold, not whether people can have it. Here’s what hasn’t changed:
- Kratom is still legal statewide. Washington has no statewide kratom ban or regulatory framework. Several 2026 bills to regulate or tax kratom did not pass.
- Possession isn’t illegal under either city ordinance.
- The bans only apply inside city limits. Stores in other jurisdictions, including unincorporated Spokane County and nearby Idaho communities, are not covered by these ordinances.
- Online sales remain a gray area. The ordinances focus on local retail sale and distribution.
For the full statewide and federal picture, including the DEA’s 2026 action on 7-OH, read our guide: Is Kratom Legal in Washington State?
This article is for general information only and isn’t legal advice. For questions about how the ordinances apply to you, check the Spokane and Spokane Valley municipal codes or talk with an attorney.
What the Ban Means If You Use Kratom Every Day
For people who have been using kratom daily, the ban can create a very real health problem. When a regular supply suddenly becomes harder to get, dependence shows up as withdrawal.
Kratom withdrawal feels a lot like opioid withdrawal. Symptoms can include:
- Cravings, anxiety, and irritability
- Muscle aches and restless legs
- Sweating, chills, and runny nose
- Nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea
- Insomnia
Symptoms often start within a day or two of the last dose. Withdrawal from 7-OH products can be especially intense.
The bigger risk is what some people do to avoid that withdrawal. Driving farther to buy stronger products, ordering unknown extracts online, or switching to street opioids can all be more dangerous than the kratom itself. In Spokane County, much of the illicit opioid supply now contains fentanyl, and a small amount can be fatal.
If you’ve realized you can’t stop using kratom without feeling sick, that’s not a personal failing. It’s a sign of physical dependence. It’s also treatable.
Getting Help for Kratom Dependence in Spokane
Sequoia Recovery Centers is located in Spokane Valley and provides kratom rehab in Washington at every level of care:
- Medically supervised detox to manage withdrawal safely and comfortably
- Residential inpatient treatment for 24-hour support
- PHP, IOP, and outpatient programs that let you keep up with work and family
Our physician-owned facility offers private rooms, catered meals, and a team that treats kratom dependence as the real medical condition it is.
Ready to talk? Contact our admissions team for a confidential conversation or call 1-866-824-0709.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is kratom illegal in Spokane?
Selling or distributing kratom is illegal within Spokane city limits as of April 8, 2026. Possessing or using kratom is not prohibited under the ordinance.
Is kratom banned in Spokane Valley?
Yes. Since March 16, 2026, the sale, distribution, and advertisement of kratom products have been prohibited in Spokane Valley. Violations carry a $250 civil fine and possible business license revocation.
Can I get in trouble for having kratom in Spokane?
Neither the Spokane nor the Spokane Valley ordinance makes possession illegal. The bans target retail sale and distribution.
Does the ban include 7-OH products?
Yes. Spokane’s ordinance explicitly covers products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine, extracts, and synthetic compounds. Spokane Valley’s covers “any kratom product.”
Is kratom banned in all of Washington?
No. As of September 2026, Washington has no statewide kratom ban. Local bans apply only within the cities that pass them.
What should I do if I’m going through kratom withdrawal?
Stay hydrated, avoid switching to other opioids or unknown products, and reach out for medical support. A supervised detox program can manage symptoms safely and help you plan your next step.
