City Council - Public Health, Homelessness, & Recovery Committee Hearing on Docket #0175

• Governing Body: Boston City Council Committee on Public Health, Homelessness, and Recovery
• Meeting Type: Committee Hearing
• Date: March 09, 2026
• Time: 2:05 PM
• Chair: Councilor John Fitzgerald (District 3)
• Attendees:
  • Councilor John Fitzgerald
  • Councilor Erin Murphy
  • Councilor Edward M. Flynn
  • Councilor Miniard Culpepper
  • Councilor Sharon Durkan
  • Councilor Benjamin Weber

The hearing focused on Docket #0175, an order for a hearing to discuss the regulation of kratom in the City of Boston. The matter was sponsored by Councilors John Fitzgerald and Edward M. Flynn and referred to the committee on January 28, 2026.

Key Discussion Points:

• Definition: Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia; its leaves contain alkaloids that produce stimulant and opioid-like effects.
• 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine): A potent synthetic derivative often found in high concentrations in unregulated products, carrying significant risks of liver toxicity and respiratory depression.
• Regulatory Gap: No kratom products are currently approved by the FDA for therapeutic use, leading to issues with contamination (salmonella, heavy metals) and misleading health claims.
• Detection Issues: Standard drug screens often fail to detect kratom, making it a tool for individuals attempting to bypass probation or workplace drug testing.

The committee heard from a panel representing public health and recovery services:

• PJ McCann (Deputy Commissioner of Policy and Planning, BPHC): Stated that the BPHC recommends against kratom use for any reason. He noted that while fatal overdoses from kratom alone are rare in Boston, it is frequently present in polysubstance overdose cases.
  • Direct Quote: "BPHC recommends against kratom use for any reason. Safe legal treatments for opioid use disorder are available."
• Dr. Nani Estella (Physician): Highlighted the medical dangers, specifically liver toxicity and the difficulty anesthesiologists face when treating kratom users. She noted that 7-OH can be 92% concentrated in retail products compared to 0.2% in traditional teas.
• Peter Barbudo (CEO, Gavin Foundation): Discussed the impact on recovery, noting that kratom is marketed as a "wellness solution" but is highly addictive and often used to evade drug tests.

Several individuals provided testimony, primarily in favor of a total ban on kratom products:

• Holly Truval: Mother of Tyrell, who died from mitragynine toxicity. She argued that regulation is insufficient.
  • Direct Quote: "I implore you to ban all Kratom, natural and synthetic."
• Amy Lackmoney: Aunt of Tyrell, criticized the American Kratom Association as a lobbying group prioritizing profit over safety.
• Bob Barney (Claremont Neighborhood Association): Reported on the ease of purchasing kratom in the Back Bay and urged for community notification when such products are sold.
• Susan Cave: Mother of William Cave, who died from a mixture of antidepressants and raw leaf kratom.
  • Direct Quote: "It makes no common sense to ban one and not the other [natural vs. synthetic]."
• Dan Gibbs: Father of Austin, who died from mitragynine toxicity. He noted that several Southeast Asian countries where kratom grows naturally have already banned it.
• Stephen Fox (South End Forum): Raised concerns about the proliferation of smoke shops as the primary distribution vehicle for these products.

• Vote Outcome: No formal votes were taken during this hearing as it was a discussion on the docket.
• Proposed Ordinance: Councilor Fitzgerald expressed intent to use the "synthetic cannabinoid (K2/Spice) playbook" to draft an ordinance prohibiting the sale of kratom in Boston.
• Working Session: Councilor Durkan requested a follow-up working session to include the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) to discuss licensing and retail enforcement.
• Public Education: The committee discussed the need for a public service announcement (PSA) and educational outreach in middle and high schools regarding the dangers of kratom and supplements.