Plymouth Board of Health Advances Kratom Ban, Adopts New Tobacco Rules

PLYMOUTH -- February 18, 2026, Plymouth Board of Health moves toward banning all kratom sales in town after hearing from bereaved parents. The board, chaired by Teri Reid, M.D., voted unanimously to adopt updated tobacco sales regulations covering synthetic nicotine products effective April 1, 2026, and directed Public Health Director Karen Keane to share a draft kratom prohibition with Town Counsel. Three public commenters, Dan Gibbs of Ohio, Susan Eppard of Michigan, and Tia Rassisi of Idaho, each described losing a child to mitragynine toxicity from natural-leaf kratom, while a fourth speaker, Shannon Lee of Massachusetts, urged regulation of natural kratom rather than a full ban. Reid noted roughly 13 or 14 Massachusetts towns have already enacted kratom bans and said the state legislature is unlikely to act quickly. The board also approved 5-0 septic variances for 83 Taylor Avenue and 24 Gardner Drive, and granted grease trap variances to the Dunkin' Donuts at 105 Samoset Street and the forthcoming Galway Girl Irish Shop at 114 Water Street, with local influenza cases tracking at 228 year-to-date against 278 at the same point in 2025.