Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino signs partial Kratom ban
The local law forbids the sale and distribution of concentrated and synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).
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Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino signed a resolution partially banning Kratom products this week.
The local law forbids the sale and distribution of concentrated and synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).
The Dutchess County Legislature unanimously voted in favor of the act last month. However, they rejected Serino’s previous proposal for a full ban including the non-synthetic version of the drug.
Despite her disappointment, she acknowledges the partial prohibition is a marked improvement.
“I do recognize that any step forward is better than maintaining the status quo. To be clear, the adopted legislation does not go far enough, but we cannot delay action. If our actions prevent even one family from experiencing the tragedy of losing a loved one to this dangerous substance, this measure will be worth it,” she stated.
Serino argues that all forms of Kratom are unsafe, citing the Food and Drug Administration’s many warnings regarding its serious health risks.
Kratom products are commonly sold at gas stations and convenience stores. They are often advertised as a supplement to relieve pain, enhance energy and lower anxiety,
Health officials say the products can cause symptoms such as tachycardia, anorexia, weight loss, liver toxicity and hallucinations.
The American Kratom Association released a statement saying:
“The concerns surrounding synthetic products being marketed and sold under the kratom name are real, and the American Kratom Association strongly supports removing dangerous synthetics from the marketplace. But those products should not be confused with natural kratom leaf.
Synthetic and chemically manipulated products can contain levels of certain alkaloids that bear little resemblance to what occurs naturally in the kratom plant. Treating synthetics and natural kratom as though they are the same product creates unnecessary confusion for consumers and risks pushing policymakers toward broad prohibitions that fail to address the actual problem.
Consumers deserve strong protections, including age restrictions, accurate labeling, product testing, responsible manufacturing standards and meaningful enforcement. AKA supports strong action against dangerous synthetics while preserving responsible adult access to properly manufactured natural kratom products.”
