GOSHEN – The Orange County Legislature voted Thursday to ban the sale of Kratom to persons under the age of 21.
The unanimous vote, with two members absent, came after two local mothers emotionally told stories of their sons dying from Kratom use.
Sandra Wilson, who recently lost her son, sobbed as she said the drink should be completely banned.
“I am here as a mother to address the opposed age restriction on Kratom and to explain the issues that deserve serious concern in Orange County,” she told lawmakers. “I lost my son Randy four months ago. He was 31 years old to Kratom. Age didn’t matter. Kratom is often sold as a natural or herbal product, but that description. Kratom contains opium-like substances which act on the same receptors as opioids.”
Kim Haney told her story of losing two sons, ages 25 and 24, to the substance.
The legislature also adopted a resolution urging the state to ban the sale of the drink completely.
The sale is outlawed in seven states. Five have an age restriction of 21 and older, and 21 countries have banned it.
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