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Kratom regulation in effect Jan. 2; Lowell tobacco-control staff say educational visits will precede some fines
Summary
Tobacco-control staff reported a kratom regulation taking effect Jan. 2 with legal notice published and education visits beginning in January; staff said fines could begin Jan. 2 for tobacco stores that received mailed notice, while convenience stores may receive additional education before enforcement.
Caesar, the tobacco-control program director, told the Lowell Board of Health that a new regulation restricting kratom sales is scheduled to take effect Jan. 2 and that a legal notice ran in the Sun. Educational visits to retailers will begin in January.
Board members asked whether fines would begin immediately. Staff replied that tobacco stores that received mailed notice could be subject to fines starting Jan. 2, while convenience stores might receive additional education before fines are issued.
Caesar also said he had already received calls from people reporting stores that might be selling kratom in violation of the new rules. A board member noted that other nearby boards of health have already held hearings or implemented similar regulations and that staff had been engaging with neighboring communities.
No new board vote was taken on the kratom regulation at the meeting; enforcement and education timing was described as dependent on venue (tobacco stores vs. convenience stores) and staff outreach plans.
