Manhattan adopts ordinance banning retail sale of kratom; chief cites youth access and public-safety concerns

The Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees voted to ban the retail sale of kratom within village limits.

Police testimony at the meeting characterized kratom as an unregulated substance that law enforcement and first responders have seen mixed with other drugs and brought to schools in disguised forms. The police chief told trustees that while kratom itself is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it can be mixed with other substances and has been linked to addiction and contamination risks. He described calls where kratom use produced effects responders could not reverse with naloxone (Narcan) and said reversing kratom-related incidents could present additional medical risks.

During the meeting, the chief told trustees he had spoken with local businesses and planned a short compliance period. When asked about timing, the chief said he did not think the ban would take effect immediately and indicated January 1 as a target effective date; village legal staff discussed allowing a short business-notice period consistent with the ordinance’s terms.

Trustees voted by roll call to adopt the ordinance. The meeting record shows the motion carried. The chief said four or five local businesses had been selling kratom; the board did not record a plan to fine or confiscate existing inventory beyond giving a compliance grace period.

Chief Malone of the Manhattan Fire Department and other first responders joined the discussion in support of restrictions; trustees framed the ordinance as a public-safety effort to reduce youth access and the availability of unregulated products.

The ordinance text and the village’s final implementation schedule were not read aloud in full during the meeting; staff said they will provide notice to local businesses about the compliance window and next steps.