New Hampshire SB 557: making synthetic and semisynthetic kratom illegal to prepare, distribute, manufacture, sell, possess, or advertise, with exceptions made for scientific research, and relative to the official ballot referendum form of town meetings.

Bill Text

SB 557-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

03/12/2026 1159s

03/26/2026 1211s

2026 SESSION

 26-2144

 07/09

SENATE BILL 557-FN

AN ACT making synthetic and semisynthetic kratom illegal to prepare, distribute, manufacture, sell, possess, or advertise, with exceptions made for scientific research.

SPONSORS: Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Rep. Manos, Rock. 12; Rep. N. Murphy, Hills. 12

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 This bill makes synthetic and semisynthetic kratom illegal to prepare, distribute, manufacture, sell, possess, or advertise, with exceptions made for scientific research.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03/12/2026 1159s

03/26/2026 1211s 26-2144

 07/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT making synthetic and semisynthetic kratom illegal to prepare, distribute, manufacture, sell, possess, or advertise, with exceptions made for scientific research.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Subdivision; Synthetic Kratom Policy. Amend RSA 318-B by inserting after section 50 the following new subdivision: 

Synthetic Kratom Policy

 318-B:51 Definitions. In this subdivision, "synthetic kratom" or "semisynthetic kratom" means: 

 I. An alkaloid or alkaloid derivative that has been created by chemical synthesis or biosynthetic means, including fermentation, recombinant techniques, yeast derived, and enzymatic techniques, rather than traditional food preparation techniques, such as heating or extracting that synthetically alters the composition of any kratom alkaloid or constituent; or

 II. An alkaloid or alkaloid derivative contained in kratom that has been exposed to chemicals or processes that would confer a structural change in the alkaloids, resulting in material that has been chemically altered. 

 318-B:52 Synthetic Kratom Limitations. No person or entity person shall prepare, distribute, manufacture, sell, possess, or advertise synthetic or semisynthetic kratom, unless such preparation, distribution, manufacturing, sale, possession, or advertisement is undertaken for the sole purpose of scientific research.

 2 New Paragraph; Controlled Drug Act; Scheduling by the Commissioner. Amend RSA 318-B:1-a by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraph: 

 IX. Notwithstanding paragraph I, synthetic or semisynthetic kratom shall be classified as a schedule II controlled drug.

 3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage. 

 LBA

 26-2144

 04/02/2026

SB 557-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2026-1211s)

AN ACT making synthetic and semisynthetic kratom illegal to prepare, distribute, manufacture, sell, possess, or advertise, with exceptions made for scientific research.

FISCAL IMPACT: 

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Revenue

$0

$0 

$0 

$0 

 Revenue Fund

None

 Expenditures*

Indeterminable

 Funding Source

General Fund

 Appropriations*

$0 

$0 

$0 

$0 

 Funding Source

None

 *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill

 Estimated Political Subdivision Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 County Revenue

$0 

$0 

$0 

$0 

 County Expenditures

Indeterminable

 Local Revenue

$0 

$0 

$0 

$0 

 Local Expenditures

Indeterminable

METHODOLOGY:

This bill adds, deletes, or modifies a criminal penalty, or changes statute to which there is a penalty for violation. Therefore, this bill may have an impact on the judicial and correctional systems, which could affect prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole costs, for the state, as well as county and local governments. A summary of such costs can be found at: https://gencourt.state.nh.us/lba/Budget/Fiscal_Notes/JudicialCorrectionalCosts.pdf

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, New Hampshire Association of Counties, and New Hampshire Municipal Association