ROCKLAND - October 27 - The Rockland Board of Health will hold a public hearing in December on potential regulations for kratom, a controversial botanical substance sold at local retailers that health officials describe as “gas station heroin.” The decision came after Tobacco Control Coordinator Kathleen Mahoney presented alarming information about the substance’s addictive properties and growing use among residents, including minors.
The Full Story
At its October 27th meeting, the Board of Health heard a comprehensive presentation from South Shore Tobacco Coordinator Kathleen Mahoney about kratom, a tropical tree leaf native to Southeast Asia that contains psychoactive ingredients. Mahoney warned that kratom’s synthetic variant, known as 7-OH or 7-hydroxymitragynine, is 13 times more potent than the natural leaf and has been linked to addiction, psychosis, seizures, and overdoses.
“I know people that are addicted to it,” Mahoney told the board, adding that a Rockland resident had reported that a family member found kratom harder to quit than other opioids. The substance is currently unregulated by the FDA and the Controlled Substance Act, though the Drug Enforcement Administration has listed it as a “drug and chemical of concern.”
Health Agent Delshaune Flipp purchased kratom from a local Rockland establishment without being asked for identification, despite labeling indicating it should only be sold to those 21 and over. “I have to say I was devastated because I went to like three of them and nobody had them and I was like, good old Rockland. And then the last one I went to and I was like, oh, this is the kratom and the particular establishment had a lot of it like you could buy it in bulk,” Flipp said.
Mahoney explained that anyone can currently purchase the product, noting that a 15-year-old Rockland resident was able to obtain it through the mail. The substance comes in various forms including crushed powder, pills, drinks, and tablets. Some products are sold in small bottles but contain concentrations meant to be consumed in tiny fractions—though users often consume full servings, treating them like energy shots.
When consumed in low doses, kratom produces stimulant effects including increased alertness and physical energy. In high doses, it produces sedative and opioid-like effects. Health concerns include nausea, itching, sweating, dry mouth, constipation, abnormally fast heart rate, vomiting, drowsiness, loss of appetite, anorexia, insomnia, seizures, weight loss, and addiction. “Several cases of psychosis have been reported,” Mahoney noted.
Eight Massachusetts communities have already banned or restricted kratom: Belchertown, Canton, Chelmsford, Dracut, Kingston, Lowell, Marlborough, and North Attleboro. Some towns have limited sales to tobacco retail stores for those 21 and over, while others have implemented complete bans. The School Resource Officer submitted a letter expressing concerns about kratom’s growing popularity and observed effects on youth and adults.
A Rockland resident named Angela, who reached out to board members with concerns about kratom, attended the meeting. She is expected to provide testimony at the December public hearing about her family member’s experience with the substance.
The board scheduled the public hearing for December 9th, allowing the required 30-day notice period for publication and giving all tobacco establishments in Rockland—of which there are many—adequate notice to participate in the discussion. “I feel bad for some establishments that are doing the right thing,” Mahoney said, addressing retailers in attendance. “It only takes a couple bad players, and the whole community looks horrible.”
Chairman Robert Stephens emphasized the importance of proper public notice procedures, ensuring all stakeholders would have opportunity to weigh in before any regulations are adopted. “I think if we’re informative to hear both, they can probably send you stuff,” Mahoney said, acknowledging that there are two sides to the kratom debate.
The board will also address another tobacco-related issue in November: FDA-approved vaping devices. Mahoney presented evidence that numerous vaping products labeled as “clear” or “unflavored” are actually flavored, violating Massachusetts regulations. She and colleagues across the state have been testing vapes from brands including Crave, Aries, Brink, and Zyn, finding that products are flavored despite packaging claims.
“This is one that you can smell,” Mahoney demonstrated, showing a product labeled “clear jewel” that had a distinct flavor. She explained that manufacturers initially used different colored boxes corresponding to flavors, then switched everything to gray boxes while maintaining the same flavored contents.
Mahoney requested authorization to act as an expert agent for the board in testing vapes, explaining that having each board individually test products would be prohibitively expensive. Approximately 25 health officials across Massachusetts have been involved in the testing process. “It’s quite obvious that it’s flavored, either smelling it or actually testing it,” she said.
Additionally, Mahoney noted that the FDA has only approved a small fraction of vaping devices on the market—specifically Juul, some Vuse products, Njoy, and Daily Rich Tobacco brands. The board plans to vote in November on authorizing Mahoney to continue testing and compiling a list of non-compliant products, with enforcement letters to follow in January to give retailers adequate time to comply.
The board approved trash abatements for August, September, and October unanimously. Health Agent Flipp reported that lien notices for non-payment of 2025 trash bills decreased dramatically from the previous year—852 notices compared to 1,657 in 2024, indicating residents are becoming more familiar with the billing system.
Flipp provided an extensive health department update, highlighting the success of the Public Health Excellence Grant, which Rockland hosts for a five-town collaborative including Hanover, Pembroke, and Marshfield. The grant has funded a regional public health nurse and social worker serving all participating communities. The nurse is working to install Narcan and tourniquet kits in AED units at all Rockland parks.
The health department has completed digitalization of all vital statistics files, with storage costs funded by Rockland’s percentage of the Public Health Excellence Grant funds. The department has also implemented online permitting for food establishments and other licenses, with staff providing hands-on assistance this year to help establishments transition to the new system.
Flipp reported that the recycling center continues perfecting its access system using license plate recognition, reminding residents to register vehicles before using the facility. One-time exceptions are allowed, but repeat unregistered access attempts will be denied. She emphasized that the hazardous waste collection day is scheduled for November 15th, requiring advance registration through the health department website.
On illegal dumping, Flipp announced that enforcement efforts have successfully identified and held accountable three offenders. “Big Brother’s watching. People are watching,” she warned, urging residents to contact the health department for proper disposal options rather than dumping illegally.
The department issued 985 compost bin vouchers between May and September, with 385 already redeemed, representing $9,675 in resident savings. Vouchers expire December 31st, with the next round available in May 2026. Flipp also announced she has transitioned from chairman to vice chair of the South Shore Recycling Cooperative.
The board established its meeting schedule through March 2026: November 17th (Monday), December 9th, January 13th, February 10th, and March 10th. Most meetings will be held on Tuesdays except for November, which was moved to Monday to accommodate Chairman Stephens’ schedule changes.
Why It Matters
The potential regulation of kratom directly impacts public health and safety in Rockland, particularly for youth who can currently purchase the addictive substance without age verification. With the substance already linked to addiction cases in the community and described by health officials as comparable to heroin in its addictive properties, the December public hearing will determine whether Rockland joins eight other Massachusetts communities in restricting or banning sales. Local retailers will have the opportunity to participate in the regulatory discussion, while the concurrent enforcement of existing flavored tobacco regulations ensures that businesses operating in good faith aren’t disadvantaged by those selling non-compliant products. Residents should attend the December 9th public hearing to voice their perspectives on this emerging public health concern.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve trash abatements for August, September, and October. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (Stephens, Kennedy). (Timestamp: 0:01:27)
Motion: Table approval of May and June meeting minutes due to absence of member who attended those meetings. Outcome: Tabled to November meeting. Vote: No formal vote; procedural decision by Chairman. (Timestamp: 0:06:39)
Motion: Adjourn the meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (Stephens, Kennedy). (Timestamp: 0:55:17)
Public Comment
Multiple tobacco retail establishment owners attended the meeting but did not provide formal public comment during the designated period. Rockland resident Angela, who had previously contacted board members about kratom concerns, was present but reserved her testimony for the scheduled December public hearing. Tobacco Control Coordinator Kathleen Mahoney acknowledged the presence of numerous retailers and emphasized appreciation for those operating in compliance with regulations.
What’s Next
The Board of Health will meet November 17th to vote on authorizing Tobacco Control Coordinator Kathleen Mahoney to serve as an expert agent in testing vaping products for flavor compliance. The board will hold a public hearing on December 9th regarding potential kratom regulations, with all tobacco establishments receiving formal notice at least 30 days in advance as required by law. Staff will provide the board with draft regulations from other municipalities for review before the December hearing. Enforcement letters regarding non-compliant vaping products will be issued to retailers in January 2026 following the November vote. The Public Health Excellence Grant regional nurse will continue installing Narcan and first aid supplies in park AED units. The hazardous waste collection day is scheduled for November 15th, requiring advance registration.