New York Governor Hochul Signs Kratom Age Restriction Law After 100+ Overdose Deaths in One Year

Why it matters

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation making it illegal to sell kratom to anyone under 21 and requiring warning labels -- a measure driven in part by a mother whose 27-year-old son died after becoming addicted to kratom. New York lawmakers subsequently voted unanimously to ban 7-OH entirely, sending that bill to the governor.

The big picture

New York's kratom laws are evolving quickly. The age-restriction law signed by Hochul in December 2025 requires warning labels beginning at the end of 2026 that must disclose ingredients and warn about risks including liver damage and death. Separately, both houses of the state legislature voted unanimously to ban 7-OH products entirely. New York's death data from the governor's office showed more than 100 kratom-related overdose deaths in a single year -- a figure that drove bipartisan action.

Key findings

• Governor Hochul signed legislation in December 2025 banning kratom sales to anyone under age 21 in New York State
• Starting late 2026, kratom products in New York must carry warning labels listing known risks including nausea, agitation, hallucinations, liver damage, and death
• New York's governor's office reported more than 100 kratom-related overdose deaths in the state in a single year
• Both chambers of the New York State Legislature subsequently voted unanimously to ban 7-OH products entirely -- that bill was awaiting the governor's signature
• Assemblyman Phil Steck compared 7-OH's effects and addiction potential to heroin, including similar withdrawal severity
• A Ballston Spa family's son Nick Scribner, 27, died after becoming addicted to kratom he initially purchased as an all-natural sleep aid

What they say

"We're setting marketing rules, requiring warning labels. These labels will disclose the product ingredients and prominently warn consumers about the known risks," — Governor Kathy Hochul, speaking at the bill signing

Bottom line

New York's two-stage legislative response -- first banning sales to minors, now moving to ban 7-OH entirely -- is one of the most aggressive state-level kratom frameworks in the country, driven by documented overdose deaths and family advocacy.