Suffolk County Legislature holding public hearings on proposed synthetic Kratom ban
The proposed law would exempt kratom leaf-steeped drinks from the ban.
More Stories
Suffolk lawmakers are holding a public hearing today on a bill that would ban most forms of Kratom across the county.
The bill targets synthetic Kratom that is often found in gas stations and smoke shops, but exempts drinks that are steeped from the natural Kratom leaf.
Legislator Jim Mazzarella is one of the bill's sponsors.
"We feel that there's an opportunity for people to still be able to use Kratom in its natural form but yet still make sure that we protect the public from adulterated versions of it," he said.
Kratom is a plant-based substance that users say helps with energy and pain relief.
Opponents argue it is addictive and the synthetic version, often found in gas stations, is harmful.
"That's not safe at all," Centereach resident Marisa Carroll said. "I wouldn't trust that, especially if it's unregulated."
Previous meetings have been controversial, drawing large crowds that have offered hours of testimony both for and against the bill.
Roots Kava Bar owner Robert Lattig said his Port Jefferson business sells Kratom-infused drinks and he's worried about the impact a ban would potentially have on his business.
It would be detrimental to be honest," he said. "Kratom is a big part of the community over at Kava bars. Kratom helps a lot of consumers who are drinking alcohol or are on opioids have a safer alternative."
In March, Nassau County passed an outright ban on all Kratom products.
This month, the New York legislature approved a bill that would restrict synthetic Kratom sales statewide. That bill is still awaiting the governor's signature.
Kathy Hochul's office told News 12 today that she is reviewing the legislation.
Mazzarella said he expects to close the public hearing this afternoon and move the legislation back to committee for amendments and review before it's sent back to the full legislature for a potential vote to adopt the law at the board's meeting next month.
