Mass. moves to crack down on sales of kratom, an addictive and unregulated substance

Key Points:

• Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced a statewide ban on the sale of kratom, an addictive and largely unregulated substance, aiming to curb its availability and associated health risks.
• The Department of Public Health issued an emergency order banning kratom sales in all forms, effective after a 14-day notice and lasting up to one year, allowing municipalities to establish their own regulations.
• Kratom, which can produce opioid-like effects and cause dependence, seizures, liver toxicity, and in rare cases death, is currently unregulated by the FDA but flagged for health concerns.
• Several Massachusetts municipalities, including Boston, Brookline, Lowell, Hanover, and Rockland, have already moved to restrict or ban kratom sales, while eight states including Vermont and Connecticut have statewide bans.
• Hospital visits linked to kratom use have increased significantly between 2017 and 2024, prompting public health officials to provide information on risks and treatment options to local health boards and providers.