Boston Considers Kratom Ban: Risks, Regulation & Opioid Withdrawal Concerns
Boston City Councilor John FitzGerald plans to propose an ordinance that would ban synthetic versions of kratom, a widely available psychoactive substance, and potentially implement age restrictions for natural kratom products, following a surge in reported adverse health effects linked to the drug.
Kratom, derived from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia, has gained popularity in the U.S. As a remedy for anxiety, pain, and even opioid addiction, often marketed as an all-natural and safe alternative. However, concerns are mounting over the presence of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a synthetic compound exponentially more potent than naturally occurring mitragynine, the primary ingredient in kratom. FitzGerald expressed his concerns, stating, “It’s caused overdose, death, sickness, hospital visits from people thinking that This represents marketed as an energy drink or [something to] help you with aches and pains,” or as a tool to combat opioid addiction.
Between 2020 and 2025, the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner recorded 91 deaths where kratom or mitragynine were identified as a cause or contributing factor, according to GBH News. Currently, kratom is readily available in Massachusetts gas stations, convenience stores, and smoke shops without regulation.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended in July 2025 that 7-OH be federally regulated as a controlled substance. Several states, including Rhode Island, have already outlawed kratom, and others are considering similar measures, such as age restrictions and bans on synthetic versions.
Holly Trouville, whose son Tyrell died of mitragynine toxicity in 2024, is advocating for a ban. She is currently suing the manufacturer of the kratom drinks her son consumed, believing the product was falsely marketed as safe. Trouville highlighted the lack of awareness surrounding kratom’s potential dangers, stating, “So then the wonder is, are there more deaths happening from that than not. But people don’t grasp.” A Florida investigation the year before Tyrell’s death revealed nearly 600 kratom-related overdoses in the past decade, often involving the combination of kratom with other drugs.
Medical professionals offer differing perspectives. Dr. Kristin Martin, an addiction physician, noted that she frequently encounters patients using kratom, even in states where it is banned, often unknowingly. She has observed liver complications, seizure disorders, and cardiac issues related to kratom overexposure. Dr. Sarah Wakeman, medical director for substance use disorder at Mass General Brigham, acknowledged the dangers of kratom but also noted that some individuals with severe opioid addiction are using it as a self-managed withdrawal aid, potentially reducing their risk compared to illicit opioids. “It’s a little hard to hold both those truths at the same time,” she said.
Dr. Kevin Hill, chief of Addiction Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, whereas acknowledging some data suggesting kratom’s potential as an aid in opioid withdrawal, stated he does not recommend it to patients, citing the availability of established medications like buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. He noted a stigma surrounding medication-assisted treatment contributes to some patients seeking alternatives like kratom.
The American Kratom Association (AKA) supports regulations on kratom, including product formulation limitations, strict labeling requirements, and age restrictions. Mac Haddow, a senior public policy fellow with the AKA, stated the group would also support a ban on synthetic kratom, provided it is “properly defined” to target the production of 7-OH and similar compounds.
Neither Massachusetts State Senate President Karen Spilka nor House Speaker Ron Mariano have publicly commented on the proposed regulations. FitzGerald expressed hope that a Boston ban would encourage statewide action, stating, “It’d be healthy, not just for the long line of constituents of Boston, but also helping the state look at overall what folks are saying and taking the proper action to do a statewide ban on synthetic kratom.”