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Scranton council introduces ordinance to curb kratom sales and synthetics after extended public comment
Summary
After hours of public testimony from users and opponents, the Scranton City Council introduced two ordinances restricting commercial kratom products and synthetics; proponents urged preserving natural leaf use while some council members demanded clearer enforcement and testing plans before further action.
Councilman Flynn introduced two related ordinances on April 1 that would regulate the sale and distribution of kratom and its active alkaloids, including mitragynine and 7‑hydroxymitragynine (7‑OH), and would prohibit sales to minors and certain concentrated or chemically altered derivatives.
The introduction followed more than an hour of public comment during which users described kratom leaf as an essential tool for managing chronic pain and recovery. "It actually saved my life," Stan Dombrowski told the council, saying he used natural leaf kratom to wean off prescription opioids. Jean Kucharski, a recent Scranton homebuyer, said she would be forced to consider leaving the city if access to leaf kratom were removed.
Flynn said the ordinance responds to a market that currently lacks consistent manufacturing standards, testing, labeling or dosing guidance. "This…
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