Connecticut Kratom Ban: Businesses Must Remove Products This Week

Connecticut just rolled out a crackdown on kratom and six other substances, now officially listed as Schedule I controlled substances. Starting this week, you can’t legally possess, make, sell, or distribute these products, and retailers have to pull them from shelves.

Attorney General William Tong and the Department of Consumer Protection have put out warnings and tips on how to safely destroy these items. The info comes from reporting by Jayden Nguyen for CT Insider, updated March 24, 2026.

Find Your Ideal Getaway in Connecticut
Explore top-rated stays with no booking fees and instant confirmation. Your dream trip starts here!
Start Exploring Now

Which substances are banned and what it means for businesses and shoppers

The banned list includes Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) and its extracts, plus 7-hydroxymitragynine, bromazolam, flubromazolam, nitazenes like isotonitazene, tianeptine, and phenibut. Connecticut has put these on the Schedule I list, so it’s now illegal to have or sell them anywhere in the state.

Retailers in cities like Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Bridgeport, Waterbury, Norwalk, Danbury, and Greenwich must get rid of products with these substances by the deadline. That means anything—beverages, tinctures, pills, gummies, you name it—has to be pulled from sale, sent back to wholesalers, or destroyed, following state rules.

Enforcement covers everything, including regular stores and online shops in places like New Britain, Meriden, Middletown, and Torrington.

Impact on Connecticut communities and businesses

Back in February, the Legislative Regulation Review Committee gave the Schedule I designation a green light, and now the rules are in effect. This move lines up with what federal authorities have been saying—the FDA has pushed for scheduling 7-hydroxymitragynine, and other states have already banned these substances.

Attorney General William Tong calls these products “unsafe, untested,” and he’s urging everyone not to buy them. If you spot these items in stores around Stamford or Norwalk, he wants you to let the police know.

Retailers in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Waterbury need to check their shelves and pull any banned products right away.
Shops in Danbury, Stamford, Greenwich, and Norwalk should send returns to wholesalers or destroy stock as the Department of Consumer Protection says.
Store owners in New London, Bristol, and Middletown need to set up disposal plans across their businesses to stay on the right side of the law.
If you’re a consumer, best to steer clear of these products and report any suspicious sales to local police or the state’s consumer protection office.

Public safety warnings and next steps for residents

Attorney General Tong called the targeted items “unsafe, untested” and told the public not to buy them. The state’s Department of Consumer Protection lays out steps for safely destroying unwanted controlled substances, making sure they don’t end up back on shelves.

Local officials in cities like Bridgeport and Waterbury are ready to help businesses follow the rules. Police across Connecticut are on alert for illegal sales and keeping an eye out.

The policy fits into bigger federal and state concerns about synthetic opioids and similar compounds. It signals a shift toward stricter control over controversial additives in everyday products.

People in Glastonbury, East Hartford, Windham, or even Plainville should expect more enforcement and quick removal of these items from stores and online shops. Honestly, if you spot something questionable, it’s probably best to steer clear.

This update was reported by Jayden Nguyen for CT Insider and updated on March 24, 2026.

Here is the source article for this story: CT businesses must remove kratom products due to ban this week

Discover Your Perfect Stay in Connecticut
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!
Check Availability Now