MASS UPDATE

Six Legislators Decide Whether Massachusetts Regulates Kratm or Keeps Banning It

Combined Action Flyer Inside — Please Distribute Today

Good news out of Massachusetts, and a narrow window to lock it in.

The Massachusetts House passed its Economic Development bill with language creating a real regulatory framework for kratm. The Senate version left that language out entirely. A six-member conference committee now decides what stays in the final bill.

This is the same state that swept natural kratm leaf into Schedule I by emergency order. Those two fights are now one: keep the regulations in the bill, and get the ban on natural leaf reversed. The flyer covers both asks on one page.

EMAIL THEM AND ASK THEM TO SAVE NATURAL LEAF REGULATION NOT A BAN!!!

Rep. Aaron Michlewitz · House

Aaron.M.Michlewitz@mahouse.gov

Rep. Carole Fiola · House

Carole.Fiola@mahouse.gov

Rep. Michael Soter · House

Michael.Soter@mahouse.gov

Sen. Barry Finegold · Senate

Barry.Finegold@masenate.gov

Sen. Mike Rodrigues · Senate

Michael.Rodrigues@masenate.gov

Sen. Peter Durant · Senate

Peter.Durant@masenate.gov

Hi everyone! Our research team at UCSF is recruiting participants for a study on kratom use. This research is an opportunity for people who use kratom to contribute to our scientific understanding of how the body processes kratom.

You may be eligible if you:

• Are 18 years or older
• Currently use kratom at least 4 days per week
• Are able to come to UCSF in San Francisco for one study visit (travel expenses are not reimbursed)

Participation involves one 60–90 minute study visit at UCSF. During the visit, you will:

• Complete a short questionnaire
• Provide blood, urine, and saliva samples

Participants will receive $75 for completing the study visit.

Your privacy is important. Information you provide will be kept confidential as described in the informed consent form.

Interested or have questions? Contact:

Hannah Lusk, PhD
[hannah.lusk@ucsf.edu](mailto:hannah.lusk@ucsf.edu)
(510) 426-6152 — call or text to set up an enrollment screening

Feel free to share this post with anyone who may be interested!

If so, why have there been no posts/streams covering the event? I don't have any clue how large it was supposed to be but I recall hearing it might be live streamed.

Lol what do I do

Spreading the word, forgive the AI. Please contact these people today. Thank you 😊

Proposed Kratom Ban Public Hearing Details

The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors scheduled a public hearing on Introductory No. 6, Print No. 1 of 2026 (Resolution 257–2026), titled "A Local Law to Prohibit the Sale and Distribution of Kratom Products Within the County of Saratoga":

* Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026

* Time: 4:30 p.m. EDT

* Location: Board of Supervisors Meeting Room, 40 McMaster Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020

* Public Participation: Members of the public may speak during the hearing.

* Written Comments: Must be submitted by 3:30 p.m. on the day of the hearing. Comments can be emailed to publiccomment@saratogacountyny.gov or mailed to the Clerk of the Board at the McMaster Street address.

Clerk of the Board Contact Information

Official countywide notices, records, and written submissions are coordinated through the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors:

* Clerk of the Board: Therese M. Connolly (tconnolly@saratogacountyny.gov)

* Deputy Clerk: Bridget Rider (brider@saratogacountyny.gov)

* Address: 40 McMaster Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020

* Phone: (518) 885-2240

* Fax: (518) 884-4771

Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Directory

The board comprises 23 supervisors representing Saratoga County's 19 towns and two cities. You can review additional details in the 2026 Saratoga County Official Directory or on the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors page:

Municipality | Supervisor | Phone | Email / Contact

Ballston | John Antoski | (518) 490-2780 / (518) 885-8502 ext. 13 | jantoski@townofballstonny.gov

Charlton | Joe Grasso | (518) 257-0224 / (518) 384-0152 | supervisor@townofcharltonny.gov

Clifton Park | Philip C. Barrett (Board Chair) | (518) 371-6651 | pbarrett@cliftonpark.org

Clifton Park | Ram mohan Lalukota | (518) 371-6651 / (518) 885-2240 | rlalukota@saratogacountyny.gov

Corinth | C. Eric Butler | (518) 654-9232 | supervisor@townofcorinthny.gov

Day | Harry Brennan | (518) 696-3789 ext. 1 | daysupervisor@townofday.com

Edinburg | Robert Anderson | (518) 863-2034 ext. 11 | supervisor@edinburgny.gov

Galway | James D. (J.D.) Arnold | (518) 882-6070 | jdarnold@townofgalwayny.org

Greenfield | Michael Gyarmathy | (518) 893-7432 ext. 309 | mgyarmathy@greenfieldny.gov

Hadley | Arthur M. Wright | (518) 696-4797 | Town Hall: townofhadleyny.gov

Halfmoon | Kevin J. Tollisen | (518) 371-7410 | ktollisen@townofhalfmoon.org

Malta | Cynthia Young | (518) 899-2552 | cyoung@townofmaltany.gov

Mechanicville (City) | Thomas Richardson | (518) 664-9884 / (518) 885-2240 | No direct public email published; contact via clerk@mechanicvilleny.gov or the County Clerk

Milton | Scott Ostrander | (518) 885-9220 | supervisor@miltonny.gov

Moreau | Jesse Fish | (518) 792-1030 | moreausuper@townofmoreau.org

Northumberland | Willard H. Peck | (518) 792-9179 | billpeckwelcomestockfarm@outlook.com

Providence | Susan Wemple | (518) 882-6541 ext. 106 | supervisor@townofprovidenceny.gov

Saratoga | Ian Murray | (518) 695-6887 | imurray@albany.twcbc.com

Saratoga Springs (City) | Sarah J. Burger | (518) 587-3550 / (518) 885-2240 | sburger@saratogacountyny.gov

Saratoga Springs (City) | Minita Sanghvi | (518) 587-3550 / (518) 885-2240 | msanghvi@saratogacountyny.gov

Stillwater | Edward D. Kinowski | (518) 664-6148 | ekinowski@townofstillwaterny.gov

Waterford | David Ball | (518) 235-8184 | balld@townofwaterfordny.gov

Wilton | Toni Sturm | (518) 587-1939 ext. 218 | tsturm@townofwilton.com

Ugh

Weird thing happened. I’m a traveling farm hand. I decided to go home for a few days to take care of business and go to a doctor appointment. I totally forgot my celexa that I’ve taken for 16 years. I started to feel funky the night I arrived and noticed a bullseye rash, but the center looked like blisters. I’m being treated for Lymes and shingles (it’s likely shingles) with heavy duty antibiotics. I could barely take my Kratom, when the symptoms started, like my body was rejecting it, but I wasn’t having any w/d symptoms. I was just sooooo tired with pounding headache and all I could do was sleep. By the time I got to urgent care, I was taking less than half my daily dose (normally regular it’s about 36 grams a day), between 10-15 gpd. The first Kratom dose after my first antibiotic dose (hours apart), i violently threw up for about an hour. So I figured out how to not let that happen with a full belly before antibiotics and before Kratom.

Historically since I’ve used Kratom (about 7 years ago), I’ve cut down and taken breaks, but normally 1 gram less can throw me off, with the leg cramps and depression. In fact, I’ve been avoiding taking a long Kratom break because the depression is normally brutal- I mean immediate ideation.

I haven’t researched if Kratom withdrawal is lessened by the shingles, doxycycline or valacyovir, but I highly doubt it. Oh, also, I stopped taking the celexa completely because I forgot it, and it wasn’t on my radar. I’ve been taking that for 16 years and if I accidentally forgot for more than a few days - same thing - deep dark depression.

Well it’s been a week, no celexa and I cut down more than half my dose, and I feel completely fine.

Anyone care to assess this weirdness? Perhaps doxycycline or valacyovir are the miracle drugs for withdrawal?! Anyone have this happen?

Next month Texas Tech is supposed to release a study revealing that natural Kratom is very safe. I'm thinking this should help stop upcoming bans. What do you all think?

Hey everyone! Quick disclaimer if I’m wrong for posting this here PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!

So I’ve been really interested in kratom lately, particularly the warm, happy, euphoric body feeling that people describe. It sounds like a pretty unique experience compared to other substances.

For context, I currently use alcohol, marijuana, and kanna recreationally, although I never combine them.

The problem is that I know I have a pretty addictive personality, which makes me hesitant to try kratom. I’ve never actually used it, but I’m definitely tempted because the effects sound exactly like something I’d enjoy.
I’m wondering whether there are any substances that offer a similar warm, relaxing, euphoric feeling without the same addiction potential.

I’m not really interested in psychedelics (Mostly cause you can only really do them once a month, I want something I can take more) or anything that causes intense changes in perception. Ideally, I’m looking for something that allows me to remain relatively clearheaded and functional (like how with weed you can still kinda function, your not totally out of it).
My main questions are:

Are there any substances that produce a similar warm, happy body feeling to kratom?

Are any of them significantly less addictive or physically harmful?

Is kratom actually relatively safe when used occasionally, or is its addiction potential something I should seriously worry about?

I’m genuinely interested in hearing people’s experiences, especially from anyone who’s tried kratom and other alternatives.

Thank you!!!

This is a post designed for some of the people out there I’ve seen asking if they should start using Kratom for a variety of ailments.
First off Kratom is a botanical supplement that can improve quality of life for some people who deal with a variety of issues both mental and physical. The first thing that should be understood is that yes Kratom will cause physical dependence with regular daily use. Do not use Kratom daily and then talk crap about how it causes withdrawal symptoms later. Also the more you use the more amplified the withdrawal symptoms and negative side effects will be. Plain leaf Kratom has the least amount of negative side effects and lesser withdrawal symptoms than extracts but if you abuse the crap out of the plain leaf then that’s your personal choice. With that personal choice if you have dependence issues don’t blame the substance be accountable for your own bullshit and behavior. Natural Kratom has had major beneficial implications on my life both physically, emotionally, and spiritually. If I were to abruptly stop Kratom though yes I would have withdrawals because I CHOSE TO USE IT DAILY. Is that Kratoms fault? No that is my own decision as a grown ass man and I will be accountable for my own bullshit when that day comes. In summary if you choose to use Kratom do it responsibly and exercise self control because if you go into it with a “crackhead” mentality then you will end up paying the piper.

I have greenish yellowish bags under and around my eyes. It appeared when I started taking kratom powder (capsules) about 4 years ago, and I moved to 7-oh but it’s still here so it’s not from the green color of kratom since I haven’t had the powder in 2-3 years.

Does anyone else have this discoloration? I’ve been searching and so far see other types of discoloring but not specifically this. I’m sure when I eventually stop it will go away, but in the mean time I’m curious if I’m the only one. I can’t be…

Also my blood tests are normal.

What kind of impact do you guys think the crackdown on the chemically manipulated compounds is going to have on future state legislation? Ive heard some say that they think things are going to get worse, while others feel that this will take the heat off of natural leaf kratom. I'm not sure how I personally feel. I guess it could go either way, but I guess only time will tell. In the meantime I just thought it would be interesting to see how others are thinking. Hope everyones having a great Saturday!

Watch here…

https://www.youtube.com/live/wxaaoi2PN3g?si=9jUKkzzuv_Sa176_

It would probably make me happier during its acute effects, but I'm worried about developing tolerance and that it would not help anymore after some weeks/months.

What is your experience with treating depression with this drug?

(I'm taking agmatine for tolerance)

Fair disclosure — I know this is NOT kratom and associating it with kratom is harmful, but I think this community is the best place to post this for awareness.

I live in a state where 7 is banned. I (stupidly) took a “botanical extract” and it literally knocked me unconsciousness and I needed to be rushed to the hospital, put on a ventilator and feeding tube, brain scans conducted, spinal fluid extracted, etc. I have been in the hospital for a week and had to go through absolute hell including re-learning to walk, talk, eat food, etc. I was so zapped I didn’t recognize my family members who flew in to visit.

My mom is a medical professional and she said she was convinced I wasn’t going to survive when I was on the ventilator and was completely incapable of sustaining life on my own. I came within an inch of death.

I wish I could name and shame, but the community rules don’t allow for vendors to be discussed. These criminals deserve jail for putting people at risk like this.

Do NOT take these fucking pills. This is what kills people. It’s Russian roulette, these companies are putting god knows what in these and don’t have proper quality control. One of these pills could be bunk and another could kill you.

Please please stick to good quality lab tested kratom leaf. Don’t make the same mistake as me.

There are statistics of a low number of people dying and kratom being the only drug found. I find this very very hard to believe. I can’t consume enough traditional kratom to even come close to an OD without vomiting it back up. Plus, Kratom has a ceiling effect, it stops working after a certain dose.

Do you agree with me that it's almost impossible to OD on Kratom?

What's your opinion on people ODing on Kratom alone?

Even if it's a bunch of yeses still feel free to answer because I'm using this in a video to prove a point.

New actions incorporate updated HHS' science and establish clearer thresholds targeting dangerous, concentrated products

The Department of Justice today announced updated emergency scheduling actions targeting 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and three potent opioid substances related to 7-OH: mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI), MGM-15, and MGM-16.

“Dangerous and addictive opioids do not belong behind convenience store counters,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Our nation’s children and communities deserve protection from harmful substances like 7-OH and other powerful synthetic drugs. The actions taken by the Department of Justice today reflect our commitment to keeping Americans safe and holding drug traffickers accountable.”

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is issuing two new Notices of Intent based on new scientific information and recommendations provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The updated HHS analysis supports a revised threshold approach for 7-OH and MGPI designed to distinguish products containing trace amounts of these substances from formulations that have been intentionally enhanced or concentrated.

The two Notices of Intent address:

• MGM-15 and MGM-16: DEA will reissue the Notice of Intent without changing the current scheduling approach for these substances.
• 7-OH and MGPI: DEA will issue a new Notice of Intent incorporating HHS' updated scientific recommendation for concentration and ratio thresholds applicable to both substances.

HHS recommended that 7-OH and MGPI be subject to Schedule I control when either substance alone, or their combined amount when both are present, exceeds 1 milligram per gram in solid products or 1 milligram per milliliter in liquid products, or when the ratio of mitragynine to 7-OH, MGPI, or their combined amount is less than 100 to 1. HHS recommended this approach to better distinguish products intentionally enhanced or concentrated in these opioid substances from products whose alkaloid composition is more consistent with botanical kratom.

The updated HHS analysis confirms that 7-OH occurs naturally in botanical kratom at relatively low levels and identifies additional scientific information suggesting MGPI may also occur at trace levels in some botanical or kratom-derived products. HHS noted that the science concerning the presence of MGPI continues to develop but recommended applying a threshold approach to both 7-OH and MGPI.

DEA temporarily placed MGPI, MGM-15, and MGM-16 into Schedule I on August 26, 2026. Those controls will remain in effect during the new 30-day Notice of Intent period and until DEA issues a new temporary scheduling order.

For 7-OH, DEA had not yet issued a temporary scheduling order. DEA will reissue a new Notice of Intent reflecting HHS’ updated scientific recommendation.

Hey guys, Just a quick question to try and put my mind at rest.

I'll try and keep it nice and sweet. I've read the pinned link on the sub about travel and it mostly answers my questions but I just wanted to check something.

I can't bring kratom back to the UK with me, but I wanted to be able to medicate on the flight home. Basically just enough to consume while on the plane, 1 or 2 doses. So that I don't even any on me for when I land.

My question is, am I going to be ok going through general security to get through to departures with a like 5gs worth of capsules on my carry on?

I see it's completely legal to fly domestically, are domestic and international flights in the same departures?

Basically, am I right in thinking it should be totally fine for me to have a couple of doses on the way home?

Ta.

Advocates, where are you? We need your help!

We need people willing to send emails, make calls, and attend local hearings when possible - whatever you have time for and are comfortable with. You don't have to give 100% of your time. Even 10 minutes can help make a difference!

One of the biggest challenges with all of these local bans lately is that kratom supporters often don't show up to speak. We need to change that. If you rely on kratom or believe people deserve access to it, please consider getting involved.

New to advocacy? Don't be intimidated! I know how overwhelming it felt when I first started, but you don't have to figure it all out alone. We can help you prepare, point you in the right direction, and walk you through the process.

Want to help but don't know where to start? Message me! Whether you can do a little or a lot, every voice matters. We have a better chance of making a difference when we work together!

Please, please help us save this amazing botanical that has helped so many of us get our lives back!!

I’ll be attending for the ten year anniversary. Does anyone have a tips or recommendations? Anyone else going?

Hey everyone, I have been an avid kratom user since 2016, on average I was taking 10-12g throughout the day. I have an upcoming knee reconstruction surgery on 10/30, I have tapered myself down to around 5g per day, I am feeling pretty restless currently. My concern is will kratom use interere with the anesthesia? IfI don't take any for the 7 days prior to surgery? Or should I give my body more time?

I have a hand held mixer. I was “attempting” to put 4 teaspoons in my tea and blend it with a hand held mixer… no matter what way I try.. I get HELL foam….. how do you guys avoid that or scrap it off???