What Is Kratom, and Is It Legal in Florida?

Updated October 2026

Most kava bars in South Florida also serve kratom, usually as a brewed tea. It's a very different plant with a very different legal picture, so it's worth understanding before you order it.

What kratom is

Kratom comes from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree in the coffee family native to Southeast Asia. In Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, workers have chewed the leaves or brewed them as tea for generations. Its main active compounds are mitragynine and, in much smaller amounts, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).

At a kava bar, kratom shows up on the menu as "tea," often flavored and served iced.

How it feels

People generally report that small amounts feel energizing, a bit like coffee, while larger amounts feel more sedating. Effects vary widely by person, product, and dose.

Is kratom legal in Florida?

As of October 2026, natural kratom leaf is legal for adults 21 and older in Florida. The Kratom Consumer Protection Act, in effect since 2023, sets the age limit and requires sellers to label products.

Concentrated 7-OH is a different story. In August 2025, Florida's Attorney General used an emergency rule to make isolated and concentrated 7-OH a Schedule I controlled substance, and expanded that rule to more compounds in June 2026. The tablets, shots, and gummies built around 7-OH are off the legal market. Federal regulators have also moved to restrict these concentrated products.

A few local governments in Florida have stricter rules of their own. Kratom law has changed several times in the last two years, so check current rules before relying on this page.

Risks worth knowing

• Dependence is real. Regular, heavy use can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms when you stop.
• Avoid concentrated products. Most of the serious concerns involve high-potency 7-OH products, not traditional leaf tea.
• Don't combine it with alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or other sedatives.
• Check with a doctor if you take prescription medication, since kratom can interact with it.
• The FDA has not approved kratom for any medical use.

Kava vs. kratom

Kava is a root from the South Pacific that most people find calming. Kratom is a leaf from Southeast Asia that can feel stimulating or sedating depending on the amount. Kava has a long ceremonial tradition and fewer dependence concerns. Kratom carries a higher risk of dependence and is more tightly regulated in Florida. If you're new, many bartenders will suggest starting with kava.

Next: Your first time at a kava bar. Or find a kava bar near you.