Walpole Board of Health moves toward ban on synthetic kratom sales in town

WALPOLE — January 20, 2026 — Walpole Board of Health signals intent to ban synthetic kratom after staff presentation reveals products already on sale in town. At its January 20 meeting, the five-member board received a detailed public health briefing from health department staff member Kelsey on synthetic and semi-synthetic kratom products and the isolated compound 7-hydroxy mitragynine, or 7-OH, which preclinical research has compared to morphine in addiction potential and which carries no FDA approval. Kelsey said she had personally observed the products for sale in at least two Walpole retail locations. Member Mona said she would favor "banning the sale, the distribution, and the manufacturing" of synthetic and semi-synthetic kratom in town, and Chair Cyrus Parvizian expressed agreement, distinguishing natural leaf kratom from synthetic concentrates that can be "a hundred times more potent." The board directed members to review the presentation and community written comment before its February 3 meeting, when staff may be asked to begin drafting a standalone regulation and notifying affected licensees. In a separate action, the board voted 5-0 to advance a draft revision to its animal regulations that would reduce the abutter-notification radius from 300 feet to 150 feet and codify a minimum roaming standard of nine square feet per bird for penned animals such as chickens.