New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed two bills into law regarding regulation of the drug kratom, the governor’s office said Monday.
Kratom is a leaf that naturally occurs in Southeast Asia that has mild sedative effects when chewed. But there’s concern when kratom is developed into powder, gummies or other products, it’s often no longer safe and poses serious health risks. Several New Yorkers have died in the last few years after consuming kratom products.
One of the new laws prohibitst the sale of kratom to people under the age of 21, and the other requires a warning label to be printed on all kratom products about the drug’s serious health risks, and that it’s not approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
“Kratom is a commercial substance that is commonly labeled an ‘all-natural herb,’ leading people to believe it’s completely safe — but the reality is it can be extremely dangerous and unfortunately, in some cases, lethal,” Hochul said in a statement. “No parent in New York should have to endure the loss of a child to a substance simply because they didn’t know what was in it. This legislation ensures transparency and strengthens our public health laws so that information about the ingredients and potential harmful risks associated with kratom are clear.”
Both bills saw bipartisan support in the state Legislature this session.