Rensselaer County legislature advances a broad kratom sales ban in a 15-2 vote

Why it matters

The vote advanced a countywide sales ban beyond the proposal stage, but the measure was still awaiting County Executive Steve McLaughlin's decision when News10 reported. The distinction matters for residents and retailers because the measure was not yet in effect.

The big picture

Rensselaer County lawmakers chose a broad ban even as speakers urged them to distinguish natural leaf products from synthetic or concentrated products. The News10 report describes a local policy decision that had one more approval step remaining.

Key findings

• The county legislature voted 15-2 on September 8 to pass a local law banning kratom sales.
• The proposed law covered kratom broadly rather than only synthetic or concentrated products.
• The measure went to County Executive Steve McLaughlin for approval or denial; the report said it was not yet in effect.
• Legislator Ken Zalewski, who opposed the law, said the county should distinguish between natural leaf kratom and synthetic products.

What they say

Legislator Ken Zalewski said, "We've all learned there's two very distinct versions of it, and it's very important to draw that line between this natural leaf kratom and this synthetic kratom."

Bottom line

The 15-2 vote advanced a broad county sales ban, but the county executive's decision was still pending.