New York Enacts Stricter Kratom Laws: Age Limit Raised to 21, Warning Labels Mandated
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed two significant bills into law on Monday, tightening regulations on the sale of kratom, an herbal stimulant often sold in convenience stores and smoke shops. The new legislation raises the minimum purchase age for kratom products to 21 statewide and mandates comprehensive warning labels.
Under the new rules, selling kratom to individuals under 21 is prohibited, with store owners facing fines of up to $500 per offense. Additionally, all kratom-containing products must now list all ingredients and carry clear warnings about potential addictiveness and adverse interactions with other drugs. Governor Hochul described the move as a “balanced legislation” and a “responsible approach,” aligning kratom regulation with existing standards for tobacco, vaping products, cannabis, and alcohol. “We’re not talking about an outright ban, but if a product carries real risk, don’t you think people should know about it?” she stated.
The push for regulation comes amid growing concerns from health officials and families. The FDA and CDC have warned about kratom’s risks, including liver toxicity, seizures, and addiction, noting its concentrated byproducts can be more addictive than morphine. Hochul highlighted that kratom was linked to 100 deaths in New York last year. She signed the bill alongside Cari Scribner, whose 27-year-old son, Nick, died from kratom intoxication in 2024. Scribner, who campaigned for the legislation, shared her son’s tragic story of addiction to the largely unregulated supplement, expressing hope that the new laws will prevent further loss of life.
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