A smoke shop that recently opened in the basement of a South End wine store is causing concern for some neighbors and city officials.

Synthetic urine and kratom are two products allegedly available for purchase at the shop, located at 474 Columbus Ave.

Kratom is a plant with opioid-like properties. The FDA has not approved the substance for medical use.

“Following initial community concerns, we immediately connected with the Boston Public Health Commission and the Department of Inspectional Services,” said Sarah Sharpe, South End/Bay Village neighborhood liaison with the mayor’s office. “Both agencies sent inspectors to the shop and reviewed all products and zoning/ license compliances.”

The city has issued a Stop Work Order to the business until it submits a new application to change the zoning of the basement, according to Sharpe.

At a meeting hosted by newly elected District 7 City Councilor Miniard Culpepper on Wednesday, January 14, Austin Cleary, who lives right above the shop, raised concern.

Cleary said he had seen “clean urine” for sale as well as kratom and nitrous oxide canisters, commonly known as whippets.

“There hasn’t been a single agency that has been able to say this is under [their] purview,” Cleary said, adding that the smoke shop has affected his young son.

Having a liquor license implies trust in the business from the community, Cleary said, and questioned whether a shop selling these products should be able to maintain its liquor license.

Two weeks later, on January 28th, a hearing to discuss the regulation of kratom in the city was ordered at a meeting of the Boston City Council.

A memo attached to the order states federal health agencies have cautioned consumers about the health risks associated with consuming kratom.

“Many states and local jurisdictions have considered adopting legislation to regulate the sale and distribution of Kratom, including here in Massachusetts," reads the order.

“Across the city we have heard concerns from residents about the widespread and unregulated use of Kratom.”

In 2015, the City Council adopted CBC 16-59, which outlawed the possession, sale and manufacturing of synthetic cannabinoids.

Kratom binds to opioid receptors rather than cannabinoid receptors, and therefore is unregulated.

Boston City Councilor John Fitzgerald said there is much more danger with using kratom than synthetic marijuana.

“This [order] is to bring attention to that matter,” said Fitzgerald. “Where this is sold, there are other things that are sold that promote drug use.”

It is currently banned in six states which are Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin.

Fitzgerald said he would like to “widen out” the hearing to also discuss other things being sold in similar stores, like clean urine.

Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn said acquiring clean urine is a common practice for people trying to pass a drug screening.

“All these things are not regulated,” said Fitzgerald. “We should really look at what is allowed to be sold at these corner stores that promote this type of stuff and do not help the public health of our city.”