§966.1. Unlawful possession, production, or distribution of kratom

            A. For purposes of this Section, "kratom" means any substance derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree or any substance containing 7-hydroxymitragynine or mitragynine.

            B.(1) Manufacture; distribution. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly produce, manufacture, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to produce, manufacture, distribute, or dispense, kratom.

            (2) Any person who violates Paragraph (1) of this Subsection for an amount of:

            (a) An aggregate weight of less than five hundred grams, shall be fined not more than fifty thousand dollars, imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than three years, or both.

            (b) An aggregate weight of five hundred grams or more, shall be fined not more than fifty thousand dollars, imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than five years, or both.

            C. Possession. It is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to possess kratom. Any person who violates this Subsection shall be punished as follows:

            (1) On a conviction wherein the offender possesses twenty grams or less, the offender shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars.

            (2) On a first conviction, wherein the offender possesses more than twenty grams, the offender shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, imprisoned in the parish jail for not more than six months, or both.

            (3) On a second or any subsequent conviction, wherein the offender possesses more than twenty grams, the offender shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars, imprisoned in the parish jail for not more than six months, or both.

            Acts 2025, No. 41, §1.