Baltimore Sues Kratom Makers Over Local Ordinance Violations

• Baltimore sues multiple kratom manufacturers and distributors over alleged unfair trade practices.
• The lawsuit claims that defendants demonstrate a 'callous disregard for public health and safety'.
• Maryland implemented new restrictions on the retail sale of 'unauthorized' kratom products statewide, effective July 1, 2026, and previously passed a Kratom Consumer Protection Act in 2024. Several other states have taken steps to regulate or ban kratom products.
• The case has significant implications for lawyers and compliance officers in the kratom industry.

Defendants demonstrate a callous disregard for the public health, safety, and well-being of the city's residents.

The mayor and city council of Baltimore have filed a lawsuit against multiple kratom manufacturers and distributors, alleging that their marketing and sale of kratom products are in violation of the city's consumer protection ordinance. The plaintiffs claim that the defendants demonstrate a 'callous disregard for the public health, safety, and well-being of the city's residents.' The lawsuit names several companies, including Open, LLC, Pur Botanicals LLC, and O.P.M.S., as well as unnamed defendants, accusing them of engaging in unfair trade practices. The plaintiffs also allege that the defendants have employed a 'web of shell companies and alter egos' to hide their operation and avoid liability.

The lawsuit is the latest development in the ongoing regulatory battle over kratom, which has been classified as an illegal drug by some states but remains unregulated at the federal level. The city's consumer protection ordinance prohibits unfair trade practices, and the plaintiffs argue that the defendants' actions fall under this category. Maryland implemented new restrictions on the retail sale of 'unauthorized' kratom products statewide, effective July 1, 2026, and previously passed a Kratom Consumer Protection Act in 2024. Several other states have also taken steps to regulate or ban kratom products. The lawsuit is significant not only for its potential impact on the kratom industry but also as a precedent for other cities to regulate or ban kratom products.

The lawsuit has important implications for lawyers and compliance officers in the kratom industry, who should be aware of the potential impact on sales in Maryland and the precedent it sets for other cities. The case also highlights the ongoing debate over the regulation of kratom products, which have been touted as a safer alternative to opioids but have also been linked to addiction and overdose deaths. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, companies must be prepared to adapt to changing laws and regulations.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the potential impact of this lawsuit on kratom sales in Maryland, as well as the precedent it sets for other cities to regulate or ban kratom products.

Source: Original reporting via Courthouse News