Board of Health bans kratom sales in Tewksbury
Tewksbury's Board of Health voted 4-0 to permanently ban all kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine sales in town, outlasting the state's one-year emergency order.
Board of Health · Meeting of August 20, 2026
Tewksbury's Board of Health voted 4-0 to permanently ban all kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine sales in town, outlasting the state's one-year emergency order. Chairperson Melissa Braga led the vote after Dracut resident Holly Trouville testified her 25-year-old son Tyrell died of mitragynine toxicity in 2024, saying "I have a note from a doctor saying it took my son's life." Director of Public Health Shannon Gillis said DPH Commissioner Goldstein's August 13 order placed kratom in Schedule I effective August 28. The board also approved a grease-tank variance for Wamesit Association Masonic Lodge with a two-year Title 5 inspection condition, and directed Tobacco Control Agent Ron Beauregard to re-inspect Petroil's new ID-scanning system, installed for $250, after an underage tobacco sale.
Resident Dawn Sheehan raised PFAS concerns about Hillman Energy's battery storage project, prompting the board to plan a September 10 executive session on a related state siting board filing due September 14.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,095 words
Source: the Board of Health meeting of August 20, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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