Massachusetts Records 91 Kratom-Linked Deaths as Boston Weighs Sales Ban

Why it matters

New state data reveals 91 Massachusetts deaths linked to kratom or mitragynine between 2020 and 2025 — and Boston City Councilor John FitzGerald is preparing an ordinance to ban synthetic kratom sales citywide, with over 20 surrounding communities already acting.

The big picture

Boston sits at a regulatory crossroads: more than 20 Massachusetts cities and towns have already banned kratom sales, Rhode Island and Vermont have state-level prohibitions, and there is pending legislation on Beacon Hill. But top addiction physicians are divided — some warn of serious health risks while others note that for fentanyl users, kratom may represent harm reduction.

Key findings

• 91 deaths in Massachusetts were linked to kratom or mitragynine between 2020 and 2025, per the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
• Boston Councilor FitzGerald plans to draft an ordinance banning synthetic kratom and potentially requiring age verification for natural kratom
• Boston Public Health Commission and Boston Police do not currently track kratom-related incidents, partly because it is undetectable in standard drug testing
• Dr. Sarah Wakeman of Mass General Brigham acknowledged kratom is dangerous but said for severe fentanyl or heroin users it may be a harm reduction step
• Dr. Kevin Hill of Beth Israel Deaconess said three FDA-approved medications already exist for opioid use disorder, making kratom unnecessary
• The American Kratom Association said it supports regulation, age restrictions, and a ban on synthetic 7-OH, but opposes blanket prohibition

What they say

Kratom is really dangerous and harmful and there are case reports of people dying from it. At the same time, for someone who has severe addiction to fentanyl or heroin or oxycontin, kratom is actually a much safer substance. — Dr. Sarah Wakeman, Medical Director for Substance Use Disorder, Mass General Brigham

Bottom line

With 91 Massachusetts deaths linked to kratom since 2020 and Boston now moving toward a ban, the harm reduction vs. prohibition debate over kratom has reached one of the largest U.S. cities.