Matthew Bishop lives in New York City.

At 68, I’ve seen a lot of bad decisions made in the name of public health. Pain patients like me have watched access to safe and effective treatments shrink while stigma has grown. So when a state legislature takes a thoughtful approach, especially on something as misunderstood as kratom and 7-OH, it deserves recognition.

This year, New York passed two bills that offer a balanced approach to kratom and 7-OH. Instead of banning them based on fear or incomplete information, lawmakers chose regulation. They set clear guidelines to ensure these products are used responsibly while preserving access for those who rely on them. Gov. Kathy Hochul should sign these bills into law.

One bill sets the minimum purchase age at 21. The other requires clear labe

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