Westford Board of Health bans sale, production and distribution of kratom and certain synthetics, effective April 1, 2026

The Westford Board of Health voted unanimously March 9 to adopt a town regulation banning the sale, distribution, production and provision for human consumption of kratom and certain synthetic cannabinoids, with the regulation set to take effect April 1, 2026.

Board Chair Stephanie Granger said the board had been reviewing letters and public input for months and that members had been “pretty unanimous in our expressing an interest in a regulation.” The motion to adopt the regulation with edits — including moving the explanatory "whereas" language to the front, changing an errant reference from "Medford" to "Westford," and adding the word "produce" to the list of prohibited acts — was made by Chair Stephanie Granger and seconded; the board voted 4–0.

Nut graf: The regulation follows model language used by other Massachusetts municipalities and is intended to remove synthetically derived intoxicating products from circulation while creating a short implementation period for retailers and an education campaign for the public. Staff told the board it would send notice to local retailers and begin outreach and education ahead of the April 1 effective date.

Supporters and opponents spoke during public comment. Melody Wolf, who said she had briefed federal agencies and researchers, told the board that federal agencies had not called for a full ban on natural-leaf kratom: “None of them talked about a ban of any kind beyond an age gate.” Laura, a commenter who said she volunteers with the International Plant and Herbal Alliance, urged the board to distinguish natural plant kratom from synthetic products and to require testing and labeling for any allowed natural products. By contrast, Dan Gibbs, who identified himself as the parent of a child who died from natural-leaf kratom, told the board he supported the ban and commended the board “for doing your homework.”

Ray Skitt, the health department staff member who drafted the regulation language based on Northampton’s model, told the board the department could notify retailers as soon as the week of the vote and begin an outreach and education program; he said inspectors already conduct store visits for tobacco products and the department would leverage that partnership. "We could have a letter out this week," Ray said, and recommended a short implementation window aligned to the start of a month.

The board agreed on April 1, 2026 as the effective date, giving roughly three weeks for staff to prepare letters, an education campaign and for retailers to come into compliance. The adopted regulation, as amended, bans sale, offer for sale, distribution, production or otherwise providing for human consumption kratom, synthetically derived cannabinoids and novel intoxicating products within Westford. The board also directed staff to finalize the regulatory text, prepare outreach materials and provide the final notice to retailers and the public.

The vote followed a period of public input and drafting; the board said it would consider additional public education events and the possibility of a follow-up meeting to review implementation and compliance.

The regulation text and staff outreach plan will be posted with board materials and the health department said it will provide retailers and Mr. Fitch a copy of any final inspection records and closure letters related to enforcement actions where applicable.