HomeMy WebLinkAboutGibbs Email 02_13_2026o Outloo k
Re: Support for Prohibition of Kratom Sales in Yarmouth
From Dan gibbs <dangibbs6370@roadrunner.com>
Date Fri 2026-02-13 2:33 PM
To Provos, Sara < SProvos@yarmouth.ma.us >
Thanks,
Dan
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 1 3, 2026, at 2:12PM, Provos, Sara < SProvos @yarmouth.ma.us > wrote
Thank you for your email - this will shared with the Board members
Sara
Sara Proaos
Town of Yarmouth
Health Department
508-398-2231 ext. 724'1,
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From: Dan gibbs <da ngibbs6370@ roadrunner.com>
Sent: Friday, February L3,2026 2:L0 pM
To: Provos, Sara <SProvos@yarmouth. ma. us>
Subject: Support for Prohibition of Kratom Sales in yarmouth
Good afternoon,
My name is Dan Gibbs. r am writing as a parent who rost a chird to kratom toxicity and to
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links unless you are sure this email is from a known sender and you know the content is safe. Call
the sender to verify if unsure. Otheruise delete this email.
Thank you Sara. Please also share I have real life harm data briefs I can submit upon request.
<O utlo ok- coho t41 5. p ng>
urge your support for prohibiting the sale and distribution of kratom in all forms -including natural leaf powder, all alkaloids, synthetics, and 7-hyd roxym itragyn ine (7-OH) -within the Town of Yarmouth.
On December 6,2023, my son Austin died following use of kratom leaf products containing
mitragynine. His toxicology identified no illicit opioids, no synthetic substances, and no
a lka loid-concentrated or 7-hyd roxymitragynine products. His death was ruled consistent
with kratom toxicity. His use was not prolonged or extreme. Like many consumers, Austin
believed kratom was a natural and safer alternative. That belief cost him his life.
You will hear kratom advocates and users testify-often at public hearings-that they use
only natural kratom leal not synthetics or extracts, and that it is
powerful enough to replace morphine, heroin, fentanyl, or prescription opioids. They
describe taking multiple scoops throughout the day to function, control severe pain, or
avoid withdrawal.
These same individuals then acknowledge without realizing the im plication-that natural
kratom does contain 7- hyd roxymitragynine, but insist it exists only in "small amounts."
They will testify that natural leaf kratom is powerful enough to replace morphine, heroin,
fentanyl, or prescription opioids. Some describe taking multiple scoops throughout the day
to function, control severe pain, or avoid withdrawal.
Kratom cannot be both harmless and powerful enough to replace opioids
lf two scoops can eliminate severe pain or opioid withdrawal, what do seven or eight scoops
do-particularly when dosing is repeated daily, unmeasured, and without medical oversight?
This should alarm every policymaker
These statements are not evidence of safety. They are unintentional admissions of potency
and dependence.
When people say they cannot function or live without this substance-even in its so-called
natural form-that is not wellness. lt is dependence. And when these admissions appear
repeatedly across hearings, municipalities, and states, they describe a public-health
emergency.
I also want to address the role of industry advocacy organizations, including the American
Kratom Association (AKA) and the Global Kratom Coalition (GKC). These groups consistently
minimize risk, mischaracterize scientific evidence, and promote regulation as sufficient-
despite growing documentation of addiction, withdrawal, emergency medical events, and
death.
Regulation does not change pharmacorogy. rt does not change potency, addiction risk, orthe body's unpredictabre conversion of mitragynine into more potent opioid-active
compounds. Banning only serect formurations whire alowing continued sale of kratom reaf isnot a public-health solution-it is harm delay.
Multiple Massachusetts municiparities, incruding Marrborough, Bourne, Rockrand, and
Plymouth, have reviewed these same claims and determined that prohibition was necessary
to protect public hea lth.
I respectfully urge Yarmouth to act decisively and adopt a comprehensive prohibition on
kratom sales. My family cannot be undone-but other families can still be protected.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Dan Gibbs
Advocate for Kratom Safety
740-546-6068