Governor Hochul Signs Two Pieces of Landmark Legislation to Protect New Yorkers Against the Harmful Effects of Commercial Herbal Product Known as Kratom

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed two pieces of landmark legislation to protect New Yorkers from the harmful effects of kratom, a commercially available herbal product sold for recreational use. This comes amid a rise in concerns about the link to potential health risks. Legislation S4552A/A2340A amends public health law to prohibit the sale of kratomproducts to individuals under 21 years of age. Legislation S8285/A5852A requires any kratom product being manufactured, distributed or sold in New York State to include a consumer warning label.

"Kratom is a commercial substance that is commonly labeled an "all-natural herb", leading people to believe it's completely safe - but the reality is it can be extremely dangerous and unfortunately, in some cases, lethal," Governor Hochul said. "No parent in New York should have to endure the loss of a child to a substance simply because they didn't know what was in it. This legislation ensures transparency and strengthens our public health laws so that information about the ingredients and potential harmful risks associated with kratom are clear."

Legislation S4552A/A2340A will prohibit sales of kratom to persons under the age of 21. Under this legislation, anyone selling kratom to individuals under 21 years of age can face a fine of up to $500 for each offense.

Legislation S8285/A5852A will require any kratom product to include a full list of ingredients as well as a consumer warning that the product may be addictive and may interact with certain medications, drugs and controlled substances.

Kratom is an herb from Southeast Asia that may be used for its stimulant and analgesic, pain relief, effects. The substance is often taken as an energy booster, mood lifter, pain reliever or recreationally. Some consumers also report using kratom to relieve symptoms of withdrawal from opioids.

While kratom itself is not an opioid, when taken in larger quantities, it can act in a way similar to other opioids, leading to tolerance, physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms. In some rare cases, deaths have been associated with kratom use, though in these cases kratom was usually used in combination with other substances, including fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, alcohol, anti-convulsants and other medications.

A minor natural component of kratom, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), can have a strong opioid effect when in concentrated form. Manufacturers have made synthetic 7-OH (which may be sold as 7-OH or added to kratom plant products) in substantially higher quantities than would be found in unadulterated kratom. Research about 7-OH and its potential association with dependence or overdose is ongoing. The New York State Department of Health began to specifically monitor 7-OH in June 2025.

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "I thank Governor Hochul for signing this important legislation that not only protects children from potential harm caused by kratom but also requires labeling so all individuals choosing to purchase these products know exactly what they contain. Kratom has the potential to create dependency and can also cause liver toxicity, seizures and other health conditions. The Department remains committed to keeping New Yorkers informed as new information about kratom emerges."

"Kratom is a commercial substance that is commonly labeled an "all-natural herb", leading people to believe it's completely safe - but the reality is it can be extremely dangerous and unfortunately, in some cases, lethal."

Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, "Kratom can cause severe health problems, including in some cases, interactions with other substances that may lead to death. This legislation will protect children from the harmful effects of this substance, and will ensure that individuals know what is in the products they're buying, allowing them to make informed decisions to keep themselves safe. With this legislation, Governor Hochul is taking an important step to safeguard the health of New Yorkers throughout the state."

The State Department of Health has developed new resources providing background and safety information about kratom for New Yorkers and information about best clinical practices for clinicians.

Because kratom is not regulated at the federal level, nor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the safety and efficacy of the product have not been established. New Yorkers are encouraged to contact Poison Control with a health concern linked to the use of kratomsold in the state, or call 911 in case of emergency.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found on the NYS OASAS website.

State Senator James Skoufis said, "New Yorkers should feel confident that every purchase they make is an informed and safe one. I'm proud to have carried this legislation to address questions and growing concerns around kratom products so the public can make their own well-informed decisions. I thank the Governor for signing this consumer-focused bill, Assemblyman Steck, and the dedicated advocates who made this legislation a priority."

State Senator Patricia Fahy said, "We've seen kratom use rise in our high schools as it is sold unregulated in vape shops and corner stores, while more and more of our young people consume this drug without knowing its potentially deadly and dangerous effects. Right here in our Capital Region, 27-year-old Nick Scribner tragically lost his life to kratomuse. His mother, Cari Scribner, has become a vocal advocate for kratomregulation after experiencing what no parent should ever have to endure: the devastating loss of a child. In Nick's memory, I'm hopeful that this legislation will help save even more young lives, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to regulate this dangerous, deadly drug and reduce its use amongst our youth. Thank you to both Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this legislation and to Assembly sponsor John T. McDonald, III, for working to save future, young lives across New York State."

Assemblymember John T. McDonald III said, "Kratom sales to minors first came to my attention after meeting with the New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, which was surveilling stores that were selling kratom, an unregulated product that can have very serious and unpredictable effects either as a stimulant or opioid-like effects. This bill will prohibit kratom sales to those who are under 21, which is a first logical step to regulate kratom in New York. Protecting our minors from drinks and other products that contain kratom when they may not fully understand the effects or impacts of these products is incredibly important. Thank you to Cari Scribner for sharing your personal story and for your advocacy and thank you to the Nopiates Committee and National Guard Counterdrug Task Force who I have worked closely with on this bill. This bill passed with unanimous and bipartisan support in the Senate and the Assembly, and I appreciate Governor Hochul signing the measure into law. Christmas is a season of joy. Sadly, families like Cari's are in sorrow because of the unregulated market of kratom. It is my hope and intent that the actions we are taking today will prevent future sorrow."

Assemblymember Phil Steck said, "As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, I have long been concerned about the deregulation of herbal supplements in the late 1990s, which allowed kratom products to be sold without meaningful oversight. While kratom is a natural substance derived from a leaf in Southeast Asia that can produce mild effects when traditionally chewed, it becomes dangerous when chemically processed into concentrated forms. I believe the Governor strengthened this legislation by requiring manufacturers to list ingredients on their labels, an important step that will help protect New Yorkers from the sometimes deadly consequences of these products. This bill was driven by the advocacy of Cari Scribner, whose son Nick tragically lost his life after consuming kratom he believed to be natural and harmless. I thank my colleagues, including Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, and Governor Hochul for signing this common sense law."

Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh said, "For too long, kratom has been sold without oversight, age limits, or clear warnings, leaving families vulnerable to devastating consequences. After hearing from a constituent who tragically lost her son to kratom, I worked across party lines to advance bipartisan legislation that strikes an important balance - preserving choice while ensuring consumers have honest information and that minors are protected from products with real and sometimes deadly risks."

Advocate and Mother of the Late Nick Scribner, Cari Scribner said, "I am grateful for all the support of these new laws restricting kratom and protecting people from potentially serious and lethal side effects. We are spreading the word about kratom being a drug, not an herb, to keep other families from suffering the loss my family underwent."

Nopiates Committee President Tim Murdick said, "First, we would like to thank all the entities involved with getting this legislation passed and to the desk of the Governor for signing, this was a bipartisan effort from both the Assembly and Senate. A special thanks to Assemblyman John McDonald and to MSgt Jessica Denager from the NYARNG Counter Drug Task force team. Kratom, which can have some of the same euphoric effects as heroin - hence the nickname 'gas station heroin' - when introduced to a developing brain, can lead to a life of substance use disorder. Restricting the sale of kratom to 21 and older is a great start and another tool in the toolbox in battling substance use disorder especially with our youth."

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