SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Scranton City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to ban the sale of kratom and synthetic kratom products to minors.
Flynn called the measure a step toward protecting young people and thanked his fellow council members, City Solicitor Tom Gilbride and Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher for their work on the ordinance.
The action comes amid concerns about concentrated products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH. The Pennsylvania Department of Health says concentrated 7-OH products have become more available and can cause opioid-like effects, including respiratory depression and dependence. Pennsylvania poison centers reported 167 kratom- or 7-OH-related cases from January 2022 through June 2025; 81 involved significant illness. The department cautions that poison-center reports are voluntary and may undercount cases.
The FDA has also warned that concentrated 7-OH products may be inaccurately labeled and can be marketed in forms such as gummies, tablets and drinks.