New Hampshire House Passes Kratom Bill Targeting 7-OH at Liquor-Licensed Retailers; Statewide Ban Pushed

Why it matters

New Hampshire legislators are pushing a statewide kratom ban after years of city-by-city action proved insufficient. The House bill targets 7-OH concentrates at liquor-licensed retailers, where most kratom is sold, while addiction counselors report rising caseloads from kratom dependency.

The big picture

Franklin, NH enacted a local kratom ban in 2019 — one of the first cities in the state to do so. In the years since, addiction specialists have reported a steady increase in kratom-related cases. The state House has now passed legislation targeting kratom products with enhanced levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine at stores regulated by the NH Liquor Commission. The Senate has been working on a parallel version with a 1,000 PPM limit on 7-OH rather than an outright ban.

Key findings

• The NH House passed legislation to prohibit Liquor Commission licensees from selling kratom products with elevated 7-OH levels not naturally found in the leaf
• A second offense under the new rules could result in license revocation — a significant deterrent for gas stations and vape shops
• Franklin Police Chief Daniel Poirier said kratom-related problems declined after the city enacted its local ban in 2019
• Addiction counselors at Archways recovery center report a consistent stream of patients seeking help with kratom dependency
• Governor Kelly Ayotte has not commented on the legislation; it awaits her review

What they say

Mark Watman, vice president at the Archways recovery center, called for statewide control: 'It's not hard to go to another town to pick it up. Rather, it requires statewide control — and lawmakers are on board.'

Bottom line

New Hampshire's House has passed a bill targeting kratom with elevated 7-OH at liquor-licensed retailers, bringing the state closer to the statewide regulatory framework that local communities have long demanded.