The Board of Health voted on Sept. 18 to proceed with an Oct. 1 effective date for a regulation that prohibits the manufacture, sale and distribution of synthetically derived cannabinoids and synthetically derived kratom in Northampton, and the board adopted several immediate restrictions on sales of raw, unaltered kratom products sold in the city.

Board action and amendments: The board reaffirmed a prior unanimous vote to adopt the prohibition on synthetically derived cannabinoids and synthetic kratom after the city solicitor, Attorney Sewald, reviewed the regulation and reported no legal red flags. Dr. Joanne Levin, chair of the Board of Health, summarized the department’s intent to proceed and asked the board to confirm an Oct. 1 implementation date; board members agreed.

At the same meeting the board voted unanimously to add sale restrictions for raw/unaltered kratom products that are currently exempted from the synthetic ban. The additions require that natural kratom: be sold only to persons age 21 or older; not be sold by self-service; require age verification consistent with existing tobacco‑sale procedures; and be accompanied by an information sheet describing potential risks. The board said those amendments could be incorporated into the regulation without a new public hearing because they set sale parameters rather than impose a new prohibition.

Rationale and enforcement: Dr. Levin described the board’s concern that novel, unregulated products were appearing in permitted retail stores and said the local action follows federal and state developments. Board members discussed distinctions offered by federal agencies between synthetically derived kratom analogs and naturally occurring kratom leaf, and cited federal statements that synthetics are more potent and more associated with overdose risk. Environmental health and inspection staff told the board they will review product labels and visible packaging and will notify retailers of the Oct. 1 effective date and of the new sale requirements for natural kratom. Enforcement measures in the regulation include suspension of Board of Health permits for violations.

Next steps: Staff said they will circulate the revised regulation and the new retailer guidance, notify permitted retailers and publish a public-facing fact page about the products and risks. The board asked staff to continue the conversation at the next meeting about whether to pursue a full prohibition of natural kratom or to adopt additional restrictions; the board indicated it will invite legal counsel (Cheryl Sabara, who drafted language for another community) to review and discuss options before taking any further regulatory step.

Votes: Board members voted to adopt the Oct. 1 effective date for the synthetic ban and to approve the sales‑restriction amendments for natural kratom. The recorded votes for the amendments were unanimous (Janet Grant, Dr. Suzanne Smith, Dr. Cynthia Sawokas and Dr. Joanne Levin all voted yes).