Suffolk County Bans ‘Gas Station Heroin,’ Restricts Kratom Sales

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Suffolk County officials are expected to enact two laws Thursday aimed at protecting residents from potentially dangerous and unregulated substances.

The legislation will impose restrictions on the sale of kratom and its synthetic derivatives and ban the sale and distribution of tianeptine, a substance commonly referred to as “gas station heroin,” county officials said.

Deputy Presiding Officer James Mazzarella and Legislator Chad Lennon, who sponsored the measures, are scheduled to join Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and other county leaders for a bill-signing ceremony at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge.

County officials said the legislation followed public hearings and testimony from medical professionals, law enforcement officials, advocates and residents. The proposals were amended during the legislative process to address concerns raised by members of the public, according to officials.

The Suffolk County Legislature unanimously approved both bills.