Saugus Board of Health Votes 4-1 to Ban Kratom Sales in Town

Board of Health · Meeting of April 6, 2026

Saugus Board of Health voted 4-1 to ban Kratom sales and manufacture within town limits. The April 6 vote followed a public hearing at which resident Mike Fisher urged the board to distinguish between natural-leaf Kratom and the synthetic 7-OH extract, and Joyce Redford, director of the North Shore Cape Ann Tobacco Policy Program, backed a full ban, saying inspectors at more than 350 area stores cannot reliably differentiate between the two products on shelves. Board member Dr.

Anthony Bakopolus cast the lone "no" vote, arguing the evidence was insufficient to prohibit a naturally occurring substance. Public Health Director John R. Fralick, III noted the regulation includes a severability clause that would void the local ban if federal regulators step in.

The board also voted unanimously to formally invite the Massachusetts DEP to present on the November 1, 2027, closure deadline for the Wynn Waste Innovations ash monofill, after a resident cited data showing approximately 56 pounds of lead per ton in bottom ash and called for groundwater testing outside the landfill perimeter.

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Source: the Board of Health meeting of April 6, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.