Governor Healey’s Order Protecting Massachusetts Residents from Dangerous Kratom Products Goes into Effect Today

Governor Healey’s Order Protecting Massachusetts Residents from Dangerous Kratom Products Goes into Effect Today

State restricts the sale of kratom products that can have opioid-like effects; expands public education and treatment outreach

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s order to protect Massachusetts residents from dangerous, largely unregulated kratom products goes into effect today and will remain in effect for up to one year.

The order, issued earlier this month by Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD, at the direction of Governor Maura Healey, temporarily places all forms of kratom into Schedule I under Massachusetts law. The order restricts the sale of kratom products across the state and gives local boards of health and other municipal officials additional authority to take enforcement action against retailers selling kratom products. 

Schedule I controlled substances are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical uses. They are illegal to possess, distribute or manufacture.

“We’re taking action to protect Massachusetts residents from kratom products that are being sold without basic safety standards or clear information about what is in them,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Parents and residents have raised serious concerns about these products being sold in smoke shops, convenience stores and gas stations, often in forms that are easy for young people to access. No one should have to guess whether something on a store shelf could be addictive, dangerous or even deadly.” 

Kratom is a leafy plant native to Southeast Asia containing naturally occurring substances, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). Kratom use can relieve pain and can produce stimulating or sedating effects, depending on the amount taken and potency of the product. Some newer products contain highly concentrated or laboratory-modified compounds that can have significantly stronger opioid-like effects. 

Kratom products have been widely sold in smoke shops, convenience stores, and gas stations as powders, tablets, capsules, gummies, dissolvable strips, and in other forms.  Because these products have been largely unregulated, their potency and ingredients can vary significantly, leaving consumers with no reliable way to know what they are taking or what health risks they may face. Regular kratom use can also lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms similar to opioid withdrawal.

Kratom use has been associated with serious health effects, including seizures, hallucinations, psychosis, physical dependence, and withdrawal symptoms.  The risks can increase when kratom products are highly potent, adulterated with unknown substances, or used with other substances such as opioids, alcohol, benzodiazepines or sedatives. While uncommon, kratom-related deaths have been reported, particularly when kratom is used with other substances or by people with underlying health conditions.

At the federal level, the Drug Enforcement Administration has now temporarily classified concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and three synthetic kratom derivatives as Schedule I substances, while natural kratom leaf with trace 7-OH remains exempt. This order went into effect on August 26 and will remain in effect for up to two years.

“Our priority is to protect the health and safety of the residents of Massachusetts. As this order goes into effect, we are providing for the public, retailers, and local public health departments relevant information about the risks of kratom use, potential treatment options, and resources that are necessary,” said Commissioner Goldstein. “Kratom products can carry serious health risks, which can be hard for consumers to assess. Not taking any action to protect the public from these preventable risks was simply not an option.”

As part of the statewide effort, the Department of Public Health (DPH) is expanding efforts to educate the public about the health risks associated with kratom use. DPH is also providing information and guidance to local boards of health, health care providers, and substance use treatment programs about the new restrictions and available treatment and recovery services.

Because these products can act like potent opioids, people who regularly use them may experience opioid tolerance and withdrawal symptoms when they stop or reduce their use, including craving, nausea, diarrhea, muscle and head aches, sniffling, sneezing, sweating, and irritability. They should seek medical care and/or substance use treatment.

Existing substance use treatment programs are available to assist people experiencing kratom withdrawal and dependence with medications, counseling, peer support, and behavioral health services. Individuals seeking help for themselves or a loved one can call or text “HOPE” to 800-327-5050 to reach the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

DPH has also launched new resources at mass.gov/kratom to help residents understand the risks, recognize the signs of an overdose, learn how to respond to an overdose, and access treatment and recovery services.