Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is not a federally scheduled substance in the United States as of this writing. It is sold as a dietary supplement ingredient.
That is the short answer. The longer answer involves one state statute, a genus name that changed, and the general rule that regulations change and this article is not legal advice.
Federal Status
Sceletium tortuosum does not appear on the federal controlled substance schedules. It is not a prescription drug. Legal status can change, so this reflects the position at the time of writing and not a permanent one.
The Louisiana Statute
Louisiana is the state that comes up. Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:989.1 makes it unlawful to produce, distribute, or possess a preparation intended for human consumption that contains a listed "hallucinogenic plant".
Two things sit on the face of that statute and are worth knowing together.
The list names Mesembryanthemum spp. Kanna was historically classified in that genus and is now placed in Sceletium, so whether the listing reaches it is a question of statutory interpretation rather than a settled fact.
The same section, as amended in 2015, states that its provisions do not apply to a dosage form labeled as a dietary supplement and manufactured in compliance with the federal requirements it names.
Much of what is written online about kanna and Louisiana predates that amendment. If you live in Louisiana, read the current statute and take advice on it rather than relying on a blog post, including this one.
Outside The United States
Rules vary widely by country, and some restrict kanna or the products it appears in. Check the regulations where you live before ordering, and check them again before travelling with a supplement.
What Legal Status Does Not Tell You
Whether something is lawful to buy is a separate question from whether it is appropriate for you to take.
Kanna is serotonergic. That restriction applies wherever you live, and it matters more than the legal question does. The full list of medications and supplements it rules out is in Kanna Side Effects & Safety.
Before You Order
Check your state and local law. Check your country's import rules if you are outside the United States. Read the label and the restriction list. If you take any prescription medication, speak to the prescribing clinician first.
What to look for on the label itself is covered in How To Choose A Kanna Extract.
Kanna is serotonergic. Consult a healthcare provider before use, especially if you take any serotonergic medication or supplement.
†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
