Dare County commissioners debate kratom resolution, ask staff to revise draft and press state for regulation

Dare County commissioners on Monday heard an extended public discussion about kratom — a botanical product marketed in some stores as an herbal supplement — and stopped short of adopting a resolution asking the North Carolina General Assembly to ban its over‑the‑counter sale.

The meeting opened with public commenters urging action and evidence presented by a kratom advocate before the board discussed next steps. Commissioners agreed to send a revised resolution and to ask state lawmakers to consider regulation that would target adulterated, high‑concentration products sold in convenience stores while allowing for regulated, lab‑tested botanical products to remain available under stricter controls.

Why it matters

Kratom is widely available in many states and in a range of forms. Supporters said certain products help with withdrawal and chronic pain; opponents told the board some retail products appear unlabelled or adulterated, are sold near schools and lack dosage controls. Commissioners said the county should press the state for coherent regulation rather than adopt a local ban that could criminalize consumers and create…