Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Amended

April 29, 2026

 

H. 4641

 

Introduced by Reps. Pope, Gilliam, Wooten, Oremus, Chapman, McCravy, B. Newton, Martin, White, Schuessler, Ford, Jordan, M. M. Smith, Robbins, Gatch, Duncan, Lastinger, Ligon, Hixon and Ballentine

 

S. Printed 4/29/26--H.

Read the first time January 13, 2026

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 44-53-190, RELATING TO SCHEDULE I CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, SO AS TO ADD KRATOM TO THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES LISTED IN SCHEDULE I; AND BY REPEALING ARTICLE 20 OF CHAPTER 53, TITLE 44 RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA KRATOM CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT.

    Amend Title To Conform

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Section 44-53-2020(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (A) It is unlawful for a kratom processor or kratom retailer to:

       (1) distribute, dispense, or sell any kratom product to any individual under twenty-one years of age;  or

       (2) prepare, manufacture, distribute, dispense, or sell any kratom product that:

           (a) is adulterated with a dangerous non-kratom substance that affects the quality or strength of the product to such a degree that it may injure a consumer;

           (b) contains a poisonous or otherwise harmful non-kratom ingredient including, but not limited to, any substance listed in Section 44-53-190, 44-53-210, 44-53-230, 44-53-250, or 44-53-270;

           (c) contains a an fully synthetic alkaloid including, but not limited to, fully synthetic mitragynine, fully synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine, or any other fully synthetically derived compound of the plant mitragyna speciosa;

           (d) contains levels of residual solvents higher than the standards set forth in Chapter 467 of the U.S. Pharmacopeia-National Formulary (USP-NF);  or

           (e) does not meet the labeling requirements established pursuant to Section 44-53-2030 and a regulation promulgated to implement the provisions of that section.

 

SECTION 2.  Section 44-53-190 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    (G) Any alkaloid, salt, isomer, compound, derivative, precursor, homologue, analogue, or other preparation thereof, that is substantially chemically equivalent or identical to kratom and including, but not limited to, mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, or any other synthetically derived compound of the plant mitragyna speciosa.

 

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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