Oneida County is getting tougher on businesses that sell kratom, a plant that has been used to market products claiming to help with pain, depression and other ailments.
County Executive Anthony Picente last week signed legislation prohibiting the sale of kratom and related products. Violators can face fines, with a civil penalty of $500 for the unlawful distribution of kratom. Each subsequent violation will result in a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per item confiscated by authorities.
Picente said that one of the concerns with kratom is the possibility of addiction, and the fact it is so widely available.
“It is sold right over the counter in local establishments, and that’s the troubling piece, that is has been called the ‘gas station heroin’ because of its availability and because of its inexpensive price,” said Picente.
The Oneida County Board of Legislators gave unanimous approval to the new local law earlier this month, although one lawmaker, Christopher Newton, said he hopes there is a way to help people who say that kratom eases their chronic pain.
“I'm going to vote yes on this simply because I think it's a good idea, and it's it's going to benefit society, but I do wish that we did have some means of providing the leaf to people that do use this as a medicinal drug to ease their pain,” Newton said.
Currently the federal government does not regulate kratom but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that consumers should not to use it because of the risk of various health problems including seizures and liver toxicity.
Several other counties in New York state are in the process of enacting bans related to kratom sales. Last December, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation prohibiting sales of kratom to persons under the age of 21.
The legislation also requires any kratom product to include a full list of ingredients as well as a consumer warning that the product may be addictive and may interact with certain medications, drugs and controlled substances.