Washington County approves ban on kratom sales after brief debate; tabling motion defeated

The Washington County Board of Supervisors adopted Introductory Local Law E on May 15, 2026, prohibiting the sale of kratom and products that contain kratom. The board approved an amendment removing County Public Health from Section 4(a) (Enforcement and Penalties) and rejected a motion to table the measure before adopting it as amended.

At the public hearing on the proposed local law, one person spoke in opposition. Supervisor Hahn suggested returning the local law to committee, and a motion to table the resolution (seconded by Supervisor Wang) was defeated by roll call; the minutes record AYES: 4, NOES: 9 and print weighted tallies as AYES: 1,043 and NOES: 2,742. After debate the amended local law was adopted by roll call (13 AYES, 4 ABSENT). Chairman Henke commented during the meeting that he “doesn’t feel righteous about the action on Kratom.” The minutes do not state an effective date or specify alternate enforcement authorities after the amendment.