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County revises kratom outreach after social-media reaction; new factual materials planned
Summary
After a kratom social-media post drew misleading praise, the County Department of Health removed the post and will distribute factual bilingual materials clarifying New York's age-21 sales restriction and explaining product differences.
Deputy Commissioner Lisa K. Lahiff told the committee the department developed two new kratom outreach strategies after a social-media post was misread by some followers as promoting kratom. The county distributed bilingual flyers to tobacco and smoke shops explaining that New York law prohibits kratom sales to persons under 21 and launched a social-media awareness campaign; after comments conveyed that the county was endorsing kratom, staff removed the original post and are preparing a revised informational campaign focused on the law and product safety.
Lahiff said the department found “there are two camps with respect to Kratom, one that finds Kratom beneficial and those that believe it should be illegal,” and added the county will prepare factual materials explaining “what Kratom is, what the New York State Law is and how it is being marketed.” Legislator Gabrielle Hill requested clarification about removing the post; Lahiff replied the post was taken down to ensure accuracy and that new materials will be distributed.
