Governor Kathy Hochul has signed two new laws aimed at protecting New Yorkers from potential health risks associated with kratom, a herbal product often sold for recreational use.
The first law bans the sale of kratom to anyone under 21, with fines of up to $500 for each violation. The second law requires all kratom products sold in New York to carry warning labels listing ingredients and cautioning consumers that the product may be addictive and could interact with medications or other substances.
Hochul noted that while kratom is often marketed as a natural and safe product, it can pose serious health risks. The herb, which comes from Southeast Asia, is sometimes used as an energy booster, pain reliever, or recreational drug. Although not classified as an opioid, officials say kratom can have opioid-like effects at higher doses and has been linked to dependence and, in rare cases, death—especially when combined with other substances.
The New York State Department of Health continues to monitor kratom-related compounds, including a potent synthetic component called 7-hydroxymitragynine.
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