Source: U.S. Army Publishing Directorate (APD)
SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
WASHINGTON
23 JUN 2026
MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2026-14 (Prohibition of Kratom Use)
1. References.
See references enclosed.
2. Purpose.
This directive prohibits the knowing use, possession, distribution, sale, and manufacture of kratom, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products by all Soldiers. This directive protects Soldier welfare and readiness, maintains an effective fighting force, and upholds military standards of good order, discipline, performance, and operational readiness.
3. Applicability.
The provisions of this directive apply to the Regular Army, U.S. Army Reserve (USAR), and Army National Guard of the United States (ARNGUS) when in Title 10 status. For USAR and ARNGUS, administrative action is appropriate when Soldiers test positive while on Title 10 status, even if the violation occurred while not in a Title 10 status.
4. Policy.
a.
Effective immediately, Soldiers are prohibited from the knowing use, possession, distribution, manufacture, importation into the customs territory of the United States, exportation from the United States, or introduction into a military installation, vessel, vehicle, or aircraft used by or under the control of the armed forces of any substance, product, compound, or item containing, or derived from, kratom, including but not limited to mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). This prohibition applies to products that are naturally derived, semi-synthetic, or synthetic, regardless of the substance’s concentration, claimed or actual, and regardless of whether such product may lawfully be bought, sold, or used under applicable civilian law. To “use” means to inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body. This paragraph is punitive. Violators may be subject to punishment under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and/or administrative action. Violations of this provision constitute a general intent offense.
b.
Pursuant to Army Regulation (AR) 600–85, all Soldiers who are identified as having used kratom, mitragynine, or 7-OH will be referred for a substance use disorder (SUD) evaluation and will be required to attend and complete the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Training (ADAPT).
c.
The prohibitions in paragraph 4a of this directive do not apply: (1) to activities conducted within the scope of legitimate law enforcement duties or operations; (2) to activities by authorized personnel while in the performance of their legitimate medical duties; or (3) when the individual lacks knowledge that the product was made or derived from kratom, including products containing mitragynine or 7-OH, where that lack of knowledge is reasonable. An individual who consciously avoids knowledge of the presence of these substances is subject to the same criminal or administrative liability as one who has actual knowledge.
5. Proponent.
The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) has oversight responsibility for this policy. The Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 will incorporate its provisions into AR 600–85 within 2 years of the date of this directive.
6. Duration.
This directive is rescinded on publication of the revised regulation.
Encl
Dan Driscoll
DISTRIBUTION:
Principal Officials of Headquarters, Department of the Army
Commander
- U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command
- U.S. Army Forces Command
- U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command
- U.S. Army Materiel Command
- U.S. Army Pacific
- U.S. Army Europe and Africa
- U.S. Army Central
- U.S. Army North
- U.S. Army Special Operations Command
- U.S. Army Transportation Command
- U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Strategic Command
- U.S. Army Cyber Command
- U.S. Army Medical Command
- U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Army Audit Agency
- U.S. Army Military District of Washington
- U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command
- U.S. Army Human Resources Command
- U.S. Army Corrections Command
- U.S. Army Reserve Command
Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy
Director, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division
Director, U.S. Army Civilian Human Resources Agency
Executive Director, Military Postal Service Agency
Director, U.S. Army Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office
Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery
Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center
CF:
Commander, Eighth Army
REFERENCES
Enclosure
a. United States Code, Title 10
b. Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 92
c. Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) memorandum (Adoption of Punitive General Orders or Regulations to Address Use of Kratom, Mitragynine, and 7-Hydroxymitragynine Products), 15 September 2025
d. Department of Defense Instruction 1010.01 (Military Personnel Drug Abuse Testing Program), 13 September 2012, incorporating Change 2, effective 21 August 2025
e. Department of Defense Instruction 1332.30 (Commissioned Officer Administrative Separations), 10 May 2018, incorporating Change 3, effective 9 September 2021
f. Army Regulation (AR) 600–85 (The Army Substance Abuse Program), 4 October 2024
g. AR 600–8–24 (Officer Transfers and Discharges), 5 May 2026
h. AR 635–200 (Active Duty Enlisted Administrative Separations), 30 June 2025