Bath Salts Legal by State 2023

To hear someone say it, bath salts seem innocent enough. In reality, it is a very dangerous drug, with typically less than innocent intent. There was a time when bath salts were readily available and legal in most states in the U.S. That time was short-lived, however, as this synthetic amphetamine drug became an obvious danger early on.

Bath Salts are Legal in What States?

Under federal law, the possession and or sale of bath salts is illegal. One caveat to that law is that a few states have yet to align their mandates with the federal laws governing bath salts. If you are looking for bath salts, even for non-nefarious purposes, you will have to search outside of the US.

Those aforementioned nefarious activities also took bath salts to such infamous recognition. That is where the real story behind the ban on bath salts began.

Side Effects of Bath Salts

In addition to the many concerning side effects of using bath salts, including hallucinations, organ failure, and other serious issues, bath salts can also be deadly. In fact, at the peak of their usage, bath salts became synonymous with drug-related deaths.

Either smoked, swallowed, or taken intravenously, bath salts were popular because of the "high effect" caused by the release of dopamine when consumed. Today, while illegal, there are still bath salt manufacturers.

These sellers distribute these illegal products through smoke shops, gas stations, and other markets. The packages are labeled as "not marked for human consumption" to get their bath salts on shelves.

The Consequences

One possible reason for the continued illegal production and distribution of bath salts is a relatively mild consequence of breaking the bath salts law. In most states, possessing or using bath salts is considered a misdemeanor offense. That also suggests that the risk of using bath salts may be worth taking for many, creating a market for bath salt manufacturers.

Those caught and convicted of making or selling bath salts, however, are subject to felony charges. Those more serious consequences have also effectively slowed the use and manufacture of bath salts.