Marianne LaBarge City Councilor | Ward 6 | Northampton, MA

WARD 6

         CITY COUNCILOR

MARIANNE LABARGE
Text Box: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 15, 2025 City of Northampton Board of Health Takes Action to Address Public Health Risks from Synthetic Kratom and Synthetic Cannabinoids NORTHAMPTON - On July 10, 2025, the Northampton Board of Health unanimously voted to draft a regulation prohibiting the local sale of synthetically derived cannabinoids and kratom. A public hearing on the proposed regulation will be held on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Both synthetic kratom and synthetic cannabinoids pose serious public health concerns, including the potential for addiction, adverse physical and mental health effects, and, in severe cases, death. Synthetic cannabinoids differ significantly from cannabis. They can be 10 to 100 times more potent, have unpredictable effects, and are currently unregulated, making their risk to consumers far greater. Similarly, synthetic kratom products may contain altered or concentrated alkaloids or be mixed with other substances, increasing the potential for harmful or fatal outcomes. While kratom is not currently regulated at the federal or state level, just this month, the federal government proposed classifying it as a Schedule 1 drug, placing it in the same category as heroin, ecstasy, and LSD. Synthetically altered cannabinoids and kratom products present an emerging threat to public health, particularly among youth and other vulnerable populations. Readily available in convenience stores, vape shops, and online, often with no safeguards, these substances are frequently sold without proper labeling, dosage guidelines, or ingredient transparency.  Under the proposed Northampton regulation, the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of synthetically derived cannabinoids or kratom products within the City of Northampton will be prohibited. Violations of the regulation will result in fines and possible suspension of Board of Health permits after a hearing. The public hearing will be held on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. The meeting information is posted on the city website at https://northamptonma.gov/206/Health-Board-of-Health.  Each member of the public will be given two minutes to share their thoughts on the proposed regulation. There is also the option to submit testimony to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) email address at health-dept@northamptonma.gov.  For more information, please contact the Department of Health & Human Services by calling 413-587-1214 or emailing health-dept@northamptonma.gov.