Public Hearing: Regulations Prohibiting the Manufacturing, Sale, and Distribution of Synthetically Derived Cannabinoids, Synthetically Derived Kratom

The Franklin Board of Health will hold a public hearing on implementing new Regulations Prohibiting the Manufacturing, Sale, and Distribution of Synthetically Derived Cannabinoids, Synthetically Derived Kratom and unregulated Novel Intoxicating Products. 

The readings and final votes on adoption of the Regulations will take place during the Board of Health meeting beginning at 5:00 pm on May 6, 2026; there will be an opportunity for public input during the process. Location: Municipal Building, 3rd Floor Training Room, 355 E. Central Street, Franklin,

and also via the Googlemeet platform.

§ 248: Sales Add to the Code of the Town of Franklin Chapter 248: Sales. The Regulations are to add new language to the new Regulations prohibiting the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of synthetically derived cannabinoids, synthetically derived Kratom and unregulated Novel Intoxicating Products.

Residents can visit the Town website (Franklinma.gov) town calendar to review the agenda including full text of proposed amendments, and for up to date meeting information on and after April 8, 2026. 

Please call the Health Department at (508) 520-4905 if you require further information.

Respectfully submitted by,

Cathleen Liberty

The proposed regulations - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/9031/Kratom-Draft-Regulations

The full agenda for the May 6 meeting  - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05062026-2246

Board of Health reviews potential regulations for mind altering products (audio)

FM #1705 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1705 the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The meeting agenda was held in the 3rd floor training room as well as via Google Meet. All 3 board members were present with the full compliment of Health Dept staff. 

Quick Recap:

• Chair Kim Mu-Chow opens the meeting

• Reads protocol statement re: Google meet

• Confirms participation via roll call

• No citizen comments

• Motion to approve March 4 minutes, so moved, second, passes 3-0 

• Motion to approve Mar 18 minutes, second, passes 3-0

• PFAS advisory to be posted at Chilson beach and a couple of other spots near there (300 Fisher St)

• Fish for catch and release generally

• Chilson water is tested weekly during summer for E.coli. Testing not done with PFAS except for water supply sources

• Draft regulations for the mind altering products

• Suggestion on change to the coverage of the retail shops, clarification to cover potential loop holes

• Suggestion on altering the levels of fine to $300, $500, $1000. To raise the deterrent incentive

• Discussion on ensuring that the retail and tobacco products, how to best accomplish this so folks have a chance to address during the public hearing, and let the board consider changes before Making the regulation official

• Discussion on warming/cooling shelters, with restricted hours at Senior Center, and Library closed Sunday, what are our options?

• Health director to do some research

• Food safety inspection

• Information shared on the inspection process, slides to be shared later

• Twice a year inspection, had considered a risk based approach but the key person moved on and with current staff, doing the 2 minimum per year per establishment (over 100)

• Review of reports

• Clarification questions on details of the reports 

• Motion to adjourn, second, passes 3-0

The meeting runs about 56 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting April 1, 2026.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1705-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-04-01-26/

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Board of Health page - https://www.franklinma.gov/444/Board-of-Health 

Agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04012026-2218 

My full set of notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XYJ75c4VsxJ3-1ElSbqeR7o0M2ROuNY8/view?usp=drive_link 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know 

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Board of Health starting discussion/process to ban sale of "mind altering" products (audio)

FM #1693 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1693 the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The meeting agenda was held in the 3rd floor training room as well as via Google Meet. All 3 board members were present with the full compliment of Health Dept staff. 

Quick Recap:

• Chair Kim Mu-Chow opens the meeting

• Reads protocol statement re: Google meet

• Confirms participation via roll call

• No citizen comments

• Discuss prohibiting the sale of mind altering products

• Concerns expressed, unregulated products in most cases

• Are being sold in Franklin

• Draft regulation based upon Northampton part of April agenda for review/comment

• Public hearing scheduled for May session

• Vote targeted for June session (depending upon how the preceding meetings/conversations go)

• Motion to adjourn, second, passes 3-0

The meeting runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting March 18, 2026.

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1693-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-03-18-26/

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Agenda doc ->

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03182026-2191 

 

Northampton, MA regulations on "mind altering" products - https://northamptonma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/1942

FDA & Kratom - https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-kratom

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know 

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"