Batavia restricts sales of Kratom, hemp products in city

Batavia Kratom and hemp product retailers have stricter guidelines to adhere to thanks to a new city code amendment championed by Police Chief Eric Blowers.

While hemp is federally legal, Kratom is largely unregulated. It is illegal in several states, however, including Wisconsin and Indiana.

In a memo, Blowers said at least 20 Batavia businesses sell some version of the identified products, including bars, restaurants, smoke and vape shops, health and wellness centers, grocery stores and gas stations.

Under the new ordinance, Kratom and hemp product sales will be limited to customers 21 and older, similar to the regulations of cannabis dispensaries.

The city will also enforce stricter packaging requirements and storage policies, to combat brands that market towards young people, prevent theft and better monitor sales.

Those found in violation would face fines of $750 per day and risk having their licensing suspended or revoked.

The new restrictions are intended to keep these products out of the hands of children.

City Council members approved the code amendment in an unanimous vote without discussion at their June 2 meeting.

Blowers originally proposed banning the products entirely in January, but the measure was deemed too broad by business owners and tabled by council members.

After working with local retailers like Urban Apothecary owner Cheryl Cryer and Kratom advocates to rework the ordinance, Blowers submitted a revised amendment which received a favorable recommendation from council members at the May 27 Committee of the Whole meeting.

When introducing the item at the June meeting, Alderman Alan Wolff thanked Blowers and the business owners who helped craft the ordinance.

“I think we did a very good job going over this so that what’s before us now is Something we can agree on,” Wolff said. “It tries to protect the kids, keep them away from it and regulate the sales, without going too far with it.”