ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Albany County is taking action as concerns about the use of kratom increase. Lawmakers approved a ban on the drug that goes into effect September 1.
Kratom products have been available at smoke stores and other retailers across Albany for years. With new restrictions in place Tuesday, it will no longer be on shelves.
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Kratom is a plant from Southeast Asia. It’s sold in different forms including pills, teas and liquids. Albany County Health Commissioner Dr. Kristen Navarette explains kratom can have opioid-like effects at high concentrations.
“We’re seeing the negative impacts of that right now, including several overdoses and even one death that was associated with kratom,” said Navarette. “So we really feel that until those things can get worked out, until there’s a more permanent law at a local, state or federal level, that we have to take action now.”…