Board of Health approves ordinance prohibiting kratom products.
Methuen Board of Health unanimously approves ordinance banning kratom manufacturing and sales. Members Francesca Rogato, Donald Marcus, and Traci Lavigne Milnes voted to prohibit the unregulated product, which can activate opioid-like brain receptors and carries documented withdrawal symptoms
Board of Health · Meeting of April 9, 2026
Methuen Board of Health unanimously approves ordinance banning kratom manufacturing and sales. Members Francesca Rogato, Donald Marcus, and Traci Lavigne Milnes voted to prohibit the unregulated product, which can activate opioid-like brain receptors and carries documented withdrawal symptoms including nausea and cravings. Health Department staff member Caeli Tegan Zampach noted only a few local retailers currently carry kratom and some are already removing stock.
The Methuen Police Department supports the measure and will continue awareness efforts.
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Source: the Board of Health meeting of April 9, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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