North Dakota lawmakers consider total kratom ban during special session
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - The second special session of 2026 began on Wednesday.
The main goal is to pass legislation regarding kratom, which the Governor calls a public health threat.
Gov. Kelly Armstrong gave the second-shortest State of the State address in North Dakota history, urging the policymakers to avoid political grandstanding.
He asked lawmakers to put a total ban on kratom in all of its forms. His remarks were brief, lasting just under nine minutes.
“However, as I said one month ago when we announced this special session, we are here to address a public safety and a public health issue that simply cannot wait for the regular legislative calendar to run its course,” said Gov. Armstrong.
The governor implemented a temporary ban on all kratom products beginning on Aug. 5. He called the legislators into a special session to consider changes to state law regarding the substance.
“So, that’s step one of what I’m asking you to do this week: ban the sale, possession, and distribution of synthetic kratom by adding it to the schedule 1 list in state law, clarify the authority to enforce that ban, and set reasonable criminal penalties for the purchase and sale of all synthetic kratom,” he said.
There are several other bills being addressed during the special session, including data centers and funding for the stalled military gallery construction project.
Project managers spoke on the timeline and technicalities of the project, emphasizing that they need resources ahead of the winter season.
“The goal is to get it closed up as soon as possible; an exact date, I can’t tell you that. I know the material is here or it’s in town, so it’s just getting the labor back and ensuring that they’ve got space for us to, you know, do that,” said Tom Job, physical plant director for the Office of Management and Budget.
The Democratic caucus met after the State of the State speech.
“It will be an egregiously wasted opportunity if all that’s accomplished this week is that we increase controlled substance regulation and we bail out a grossly mismanaged construction project,” said Rep. Zachary Ista.
They are upset that childcare funding isn’t being addressed during the special session.
They asked for $9 million to get families off a wait list for state-assisted childcare.
“What we’re hearing is that families are crying out for help with affordability,” he said.
Lawmakers are considering two kratom bills.
One would restrict natural-leaf kratom to people 21 and older.
The other would ban 7-O-H and other synthetic products. An amendment has been added to this proposal to include all kratom products, just as the governor asked lawmakers to do earlier in the day.
None of the bills will be put into law until Friday, when the final votes are expected to happen.
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