SAUGUS — The Board of Health held a public hearing Monday night regarding the banning of the sale and manufacturing of kratom, both natural and synthetic, in town. The ban passed in a 4-1 vote, with member Dr. Anthony Bakopolus casting the lone no vote.
Public Health Director John Fralick began the discussion by reading the statement of purpose for the ban.
“Whereas kratom, a tree-like plant, is indigenous to Southeast Asia, produces a stimulant and sedative effect when orally ingested in tablet, capsule, or extract form,” Fralick read. “Kratom leaves can be chewed or dried and ingested as tea. Use of kratom can lead to psychotic symptoms and psychological or physiological dependence.”
The statement noted that there were several instances of overdoses and abuse documented across the United States and that the vote would ban the manufacture, sale, and distribution of kratom in town.
Resident Mike Fisher spoke during public comment, emphasizing that there was a major difference between synthetic and natural kratom, and that while he thinks there should be regulations, it shouldn’t be an outright ban of all kratom products.
“They are 100% unrelated and should be treated as such. Natural leaf kratom has mitragynine in it, which is the active ingredient. When that product is processed through chemical synthetics and synthesis, it turns into a totally different product, which is called 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH),” Fisher explained.
Fisher agreed that the synthetic product should not be easily obtained on convenience store shelves, but that the natural leaf should just have restrictions, such as an age limit.
“The big misconception is that people group these two things together, and they are not the same,” he said, noting that major convenience stores like Circle K and 7-Eleven do a vigorous vetting process and all carry the natural leaf product.
Fisher explained how many people feel safe drinking a cup of coffee, including himself, but that he would not feel comfortable taking a large dosage of caffeine pills, which can be dangerous.
“Yes, it should be regulated. It’s not for children. It’s meant for adult use only. There should be labels. There are ways that can successfully regulate without banning the natural leaf kratom product,” he said.
Joyce Redford, the director of the North Shore/Cape Ann Tobacco Policy Program, stated that she supports the Board’s desire to completely restrict the product.
“We’re not labs… We can’t scrutinize the label on every product. A majority of the products that have been sold are in fact 7-OH,” she said.
Redford continued that the synthetic version is “very dangerous” and that even if stores were selling 100% natural kratom, they should not be at a convenience store, but instead in a pharmacy or a natural food store that carries supplements.
She also noted that some of the products labeled 100% natural had tested positive for having synthetic materials in them.
Fralick said that while the product is being banned for manufacturing, sale, and distribution in town, the Board is not banning the use of the product, and that it can be purchased elsewhere.
“There have been a number of other towns and cities that are moving forward with this very similar language. Kratom has been labeled as a novel intoxicating product with a potential for abuse… What we’re trying to do as a board… is what’s in the best interest of Saugus,” Fralick said.
He also explained that if the FDA were to put its own rules and regulations on kratom, the vote of the Board would be unenforceable.
Board Chair Maria Tamagna was in agreement that there should be a distinction between natural and synthetic, but that, as of right now, the best option is to ban it completely.
Bakopolus, the sole no vote on the decision, felt that it was above the Board’s authority to ban a natural substance, especially if the state and the FDA were not moving on it.
“It just seems like one of these things where we’re not treating it as until proven guilty. We’re saying, ‘You’re guilty; prove your innocence,'” he said.
Bakopolus said he may agree with the Board on the ban, but it felt too “Big Brother-ish” to vote to ban a natural substance.
Vice Chair Joseph Dorant and member Joia Cicolini both stated their agreement with the ban.
