New York Lawmaker Urges Action on Kratom Restrictions
Assemblyman Brian Maher calls on Governor Kathy Hochul to sign a bill limiting the sale of concentrated kratom products.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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Should states pass laws to ban the retail sale of highly concentrated kratom products?
Assemblyman Brian Maher is urging Governor Kathy Hochul to sign legislation passed by the New York State Legislature that would restrict the sale of synthetic and concentrated kratom. The bill aims to curb the accessibility of these substances due to ongoing concerns about their safety and potential for addiction.
Why it matters
The proposed regulations seek to address a significant rise in nationwide kratom-related exposures, which have spiked from 258 cases in 2015 to 3,434 in 2025. Proponents of the measure emphasize the need to limit high-concentration products that may pose severe health risks to consumers.
America's Poison Centers documented 14,449 kratom-related exposures nationwide between 2015 and 2025, representing a 1,200% increase over the decade. The pending legislation prohibits products exceeding 2% total alkaloids or 1 milligram of 7-hydroxymitragynine per serving.
The players
Brian Maher
Brian Maher is a New York State Assemblyman who has been a primary advocate for statewide restrictions on concentrated kratom products.
Kathy Hochul
Kathy Hochul is the 57th Governor of New York and serves as the state executive responsible for signing legislation into law.
Sue Serino
Sue Serino is the Dutchess County Executive who signed local legislation in September 2026 to ban the sale of synthetic and concentrated kratom.
The details
The bill targets products with high concentrations typically produced through laboratory processing to limit their potency. While state-level efforts continue, individual municipalities are also taking action, with Dutchess County enacting a local ban in September 2026.
Timeline
Between 2015 and 2025, America's Poison Centers documented 14,449 kratom-related exposures nationwide.
The New York State Legislature passed the kratom restriction bill in June 2026.
Dutchess County enacted a local ban on synthetic and concentrated kratom sales in September 2026.
Assemblyman Brian Maher requested Governor Kathy Hochul sign the legislation on October 25, 2026.
The Ulster County Legislature is scheduled to hold a public hearing regarding a potential local ban on November 17, 2026.
Health Landscape
The legislative push to regulate kratom in New York follows the pattern of relying on data from America's Poison Centers' national toxic exposure surveillance to justify state-level intervention. This reflects a broader trend of states using centralized health data to implement targeted substance controls.
Residents should be aware that if signed into law, the bill will limit the availability of concentrated kratom products in local retail stores across New York. These regulations aim to reduce accidental overdoses by standardizing the maximum allowable concentration of active alkaloids.
The takeaway
The move to regulate kratom highlights growing government scrutiny regarding the strength of unregulated botanical supplements. Consumers who utilize these products should monitor for legislative updates as local and state authorities continue to refine retail access rules.
What happens next
The Ulster County Legislature is scheduled to host a public hearing regarding a potential local kratom ban on November 17, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts and statewide trends in the New York Substance Abuse section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Freeman.
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Should states pass laws to ban the retail sale of highly concentrated kratom products?
