North Dakota Governor Calls Special Session on Kratom Ban

North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong called a special legislative session to take up a ban on kratom, a plant substance that has been linked to overdoses in the state. Ten states have already enacted bans on kratom, and Armstrong indicated the issue was too urgent to wait until the state's next regular legislative session in 2027. Discussions about the special session began by late July, with Senate Majority Leader David Hogue saying Armstrong was intent on calling it after meeting with him and his staff. By Aug. 3, Armstrong had formally called the special session, and legislators are scheduled to convene Sept. 2 at the state Capitol to consider the kratom measure. Earlier reporting had also raised the possibility that lawmakers would use the special session to address a fundraising shortfall affecting the state Military Gallery, a project whose construction has paused. It remains unresolved whether the Military Gallery funding issue will be formally included on the special session agenda alongside the kratom ban, as this was reported as a topic under discussion prior to the official calling of the session but was not confirmed as part of the final agenda in later reporting. The specific legislative text of the kratom ban and its scope have not been detailed in available reporting.