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Washington adopts ordinance banning synthetic kratom products and tightens retail rules with 45‑day phase-in
Summary
The council unanimously adopted an ordinance that prohibits synthetic kratom products, restricts natural-kratom sales to persons 21 and older and requires batch certification for some products, with certain provisions tolled for 45 days to allow retailers to sell existing inventory.
The Washington City Council on May 4 adopted an ordinance amending the city code to regulate kratom and related synthetic products.
The ordinance bans the sale of synthetic kratom products and establishes new labeling and certificate-of-analysis requirements for kratom items that are concentrated or chemically altered. The council set an age-of-entry restriction so retail establishments selling natural kratom must limit entry to persons 21 and older; some certification and entry-age provisions were phased to take effect 45 days after passage and publication so retailers with current inventory have time to comply.
Police Chief (Chief Stevens) and staff explained enforcement and transition plans. The chief said the department has prepared to enforce age-of-sale requirements and will begin by notifying shop owners of the ordinance and the forthcoming requirements; the transcript records that highly concentrated products must be removed from inventory immediately, while natural products without required batch certification may be sold for the 45-day tolling period while merchants seek certified suppliers.
Council members said the ordinance reflects public concern about concentrated products and is designed to protect consumers while giving legal retailers limited time to meet testing and labeling requirements. The ordinance passed unanimously.
What happens next: the certification and age-entry provisions specified to be tolled become effective 45 days after passage and publication; staff and police will notify affected retailers and proceed with enforcement thereafter.
