At a University of Georgia study committee, pharmacologists, treatment providers and parents urged regulation and testing of kratom products, distinguishing dangerous concentrated extracts from natural leaf and urging product standards, age limits and stronger enforcement.

The Boston City Council Committee on Government Operations heard testimony Sept. 21 on Docket 1414, an ordinance to ban the sale and use of chemically concentrated/synthetic kratom (notably 7‑hydroxymitragynine) while allowing regulated natural leaf products with age and labeling rules; members discussed preemption by the state’s emergency order and options for a contingent effective date.

Board staff described a state temporary order designating kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance (effective 08/28/2026–08/28/2027), and said town attorneys are exploring cease-and-desist orders and license revocations after a recent smoke-shop search produced kratom, marijuana and flavored tobacco products.

Colorado updates regulations concerning kratom product distribution to minors.

Legislators approve bills targeting harmful substances to protect public health in Kentucky.

Staff told the board that the state has classified kratom as a Schedule I substance for one year; the department notified retailers and two local stores in Lenox Dale and Lee removed products from shelves.

The Senate passed legislation aimed at banning highly concentrated synthetic derivatives of kratom (7‑hydroxy mitragynine), drawing debate on public‑health benefits and risks, possible unintended consequences for overdose deaths, and market enforcement challenges.

The Brockton Ordinance Committee voted June 1 to recommend to the full City Council an ordinance that would temporarily ban kratom and broadened categories of synthetically derived cannabinoids and novel intoxicating products, set a $1,000 penalty for first offenses and permit suspension on a repeat violation.

HS1 for HB332 would ban kratom sales to anyone under 21 and requires a study into in‑state testing capacity to distinguish natural kratom from synthetic or adulterated products; witnesses from recovery, healthcare and enforcement provided mixed testimony supporting age‑gating while urging further work on product testing and regulation.

The Committee on Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances voted to advance a package of bills including expanded retail tasting limits, naloxone and fentanyl-test-strip access, THC rescheduling and hospice narcotics-disposal authority; most measures passed by recorded voice vote after brief discussion or technical amendments.

County drug-and-alcohol and coroner officials presented toxicology and fatality data and urged restrictions on kratom derivatives; council agreed to return the revised ordinance to the Public Safety committee for more work.

Council held first reading and approved scheduling a second reading (Sept. 28) of an ordinance to prohibit kratom—citing youth access and concerns about synthetic adulterants—after hearing proponents and opponents during public comment.

City leaders and the public health commissioner explained the governor's new all-forms ban on kratom, outlined state data on reported deaths, and flagged enforcement challenges including a directive not to confiscate products from store shelves.

Commissioners discussed an ordinance to restrict sales and possession of nitrous oxide, kratom‑related compounds and certain inhalants, stressing youth protection and coordination with public health and law enforcement; they agreed to form a task group to draft proposed language and gather templates from other counties.

Council heard a public-health presentation on kratom and concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) from Council member Cain, debated enforcement and production implications, and directed staff to draft a "split approach" ordinance: 21+ age restriction, behind-counter storage, youth-targeted packaging restrictions, and a ban on products with 7-OH concentrations above naturally occurring levels, with a 30-day compliance timeline for retail sales.

The board set a public hearing for Oct. 6 on a proposal to prohibit sale and distribution of kratom. The chair said county legislation may render a local measure unnecessary; a board member said the town should act if the county does not.

Curry County Prevention and a district attorney investigator asked the board to pursue county-level restrictions after local testing found phenibut, large nitrous‑oxide canisters and colorful kratom/tianeptine products readily available; commissioners scheduled a workshop to review templates from neighboring counties.

Director Lauren Buck told the Revere Board of Health that a Massachusetts Department of Public Health emergency order (Aug. 13) designates kratom as a Schedule I substance effective Aug. 28; Revere will require retailers to remove kratom products by Aug. 31 and begin spot checks and enforcement on Sept. 1, with fines after a warning.

A lengthy public hearing on a proposed borough ordinance to prohibit concentrated kratom products prompted testimony from users, vendors and council members; council signaled insufficient support for the ordinance as written (which included natural leaf) and directed staff to return the item to the public-safety committee for redrafting focused on concentrated products.

The board appointed Katrina as the town's tobacco agent and heard staff/guest briefings on an emerging substance to be classified for one year and on flavored nicotine-pouch legal uncertainty; staff suggested adding regulatory language but delaying enforcement pending legal clarity.

The Taylorville City Council voted 6–3 to adopt an ordinance prohibiting kratom in the city. Staff advised the language covers both natural and synthetic kratom and warned the ban could face legal challenge; the mayor cast a deciding vote in favor.

City Manager Amundsen briefed the council on kratom, distinguishing traditional leaf products from concentrated 7‑OH formulations and presenting options ranging from a total local ban to an under-21 restriction; several council members said they favored a local ban with a sunset clause pending state or federal action.

Several residents told the Deerfield Select Board that natural kratom has helped them with pain and addiction, urging regulation with age limits and testing; a town staffer presented a draft that would ban all forms, and the board discussed holding a public hearing.

The Ephrata council voted to expedite Ordinance 26-003 to ban kratom products within city limits and set a three-tier penalty schedule (C9, C5, C1) aimed at retailers; health-district officials told the council that adulterated kratom products pose public-safety risks while federal rulemaking proceeds.

A delete-all substitute to SB432 reclassifies xylazine as a Schedule I controlled substance and restricts retail sale of recreational nitrous oxide by DBPR tobacco-permit holders while preserving culinary and medical sales; committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably.