BOSTON, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner, Robbie Goldstein, issued an emergency state order to place all forms of kratom into Schedule I by the direction of Governor Maura Healey. Schedule I effectively bans the possession, distribution and manufacturing of the substance across the state for up to one year.

Several local communities including Greenfield were considering or have made their own bans on the substance, which is sold in both natural and synthetic forms.