{"id":1457,"date":"2026-01-09T06:29:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T06:29:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/?page_id=1457"},"modified":"2026-08-26T20:26:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T20:26:43","slug":"california","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/?page_id=1457","title":{"rendered":"California"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Statewide Overview:<\/strong> Plain leaf kratom remains legal at the state level, but state agencies are actively enforcing regulatory restrictions on retail sales.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>State Agency Enforcement:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/education\/2026\/03\/feel-free-kratom-california-university-public-health-ban\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">California Department of Public Health (CDPH)<\/a> has issued retailer warnings under the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law, classifying kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) as unapproved food additives\/dietary supplements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is conducting joint enforcement actions resulting in product seizures at licensed alcohol retail locations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pending State Legislation:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Flegiscan.com%2FCA%2Ftext%2FAB1088%2Fid%2F3217380\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AB 1088<\/a>:<\/strong> Proposed regulation establishing testing, labeling, and age requirements while setting strict limits on 7-OH concentration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fssdp.org%2Fblog%2Furgent-sb-758-fast-tracked-take-action-by-jan-13-to-stop-criminalization%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SB 758<\/a>:<\/strong> Proposed legislation to schedule high-potency derivatives (including 7-OH) as controlled substances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Local Municipal Bans:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cities:<\/strong> San Diego, Oceanside, Newport Beach, Anaheim, and Jurupa Valley.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Counties (Unincorporated Areas):<\/strong> Los Angeles County and Riverside County.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/legiscan.com\/CA\/bill\/AB1088\/2025\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/legiscan.com\/CA\/bill\/AB1088\/2025\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#135881\" class=\"has-inline-color\">AB1088<\/mark><\/strong><\/a>&nbsp; An act to add Article 16 (commencing with Section 111224.8) to Chapter 5 of Part 5 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to public health.<br><strong>Status:<\/strong> Engrossed on June 2 2025 &#8211; 50% progression<br><strong>Action:<\/strong> 2025-06-11 &#8211; Referred to Com. on HEALTH.<br>Pending:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/legiscan.com\/CA\/pending\/senate-health-committee\/id\/480\">Senate Health Committee<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/legiscan.com\/CA\/bill\/SB758\/2025\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/legiscan.com\/CA\/bill\/SB758\/2025\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#135881\" class=\"has-inline-color\">SB758<\/mark><\/strong><\/a> (schedules 7OH) An act to add Section 22984 to the Business and Professions Code, relating to public health.<br><strong>Status:<\/strong> Engrossed on January 27 2026 &#8211; 50% progression<br><strong>Action:<\/strong> 2026-01-27 &#8211; In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.ca.gov\/warning-to-abc-licensees-concerning-illegal-kratom-7-oh-products\/#:~:text=The%20Department%20of%20Alcoholic%20Beverage%20Control%20is%20enforcing%20the%20statewide,significant%20health%20risks%20to%20consumers.\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.abc.ca.gov\/warning-to-abc-licensees-concerning-illegal-kratom-7-oh-products\/#:~:text=The%20Department%20of%20Alcoholic%20Beverage%20Control%20is%20enforcing%20the%20statewide,significant%20health%20risks%20to%20consumers.\">Alcoholic Beverage Control Warning<\/a><br>CPHD <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdph.ca.gov\/Programs\/OPA\/Pages\/NR26-005.aspx\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.cdph.ca.gov\/Programs\/OPA\/Pages\/NR26-005.aspx\">California Department of Public Health Retailer Warning<\/a><br><br>CDPH California Department of Public Health, Public Health <br>On February 18, 2026, the California State Senate Health Committee held a high-stakes <strong>informational hearing<\/strong> in Sacramento titled <em>&#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/shea.senate.ca.gov\/system\/files\/2026-02\/kratom-and-7-oh-agenda.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kratom and 7-Hydroxymitragynine: Public Health Concerns and Regulatory Challenges<\/a>.&#8221;<\/em> This meeting was not a standard CDPH department meeting, but a legislative oversight session that brought together state health officials, toxicologists, and advocates to debate the future of kratom in California.<br><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Safety vs. Access Debate<\/span>:<\/strong> The hearing focused on the rising popularity of <strong>7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)<\/strong>, a potent kratom alkaloid. State health officials expressed grave concerns over a cluster of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdph.ca.gov\/Programs\/OPA\/Pages\/NR26-005.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fatal overdoses in Los Angeles County<\/a> linked to synthetic 7-OH products.<br><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State Crackdown Defended<\/span>:<\/strong> Representatives from the <strong>California Department of Public Health (CDPH)<\/strong> defended their ongoing enforcement strategy. They reiterated that under the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, they consider kratom to be an &#8220;adulterated&#8221; food additive. They revealed that as of the hearing date, they had already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.ca.gov\/abc-announces-education-enforcement-effort-to-eradicate-illegal-deadly-kratom-products\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">seized over $5 million<\/a> worth of products statewide.<br><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Support for Regulation over Prohibition<\/span>:<\/strong> Many advocates and researchers testified in opposition to <a href=\"https:\/\/ssdp.org\/blog\/opposition-to-the-criminalization-of-7-oh-found-in-kratom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SB 758<\/a>, a bill that would classify synthetic 7-OH as a Schedule I substance. They argued that a total ban would push users toward more dangerous illicit markets and suggested instead following the framework of <strong>AB 1088<\/strong>, which proposes age limits (21+), strict labeling, and potency caps.<br><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Legislative &#8220;Fast-Tracking&#8221;<\/span>:<\/strong> Advocates from groups like <a href=\"https:\/\/ssdp.org\/blog\/urgent-take-action-to-stop-7-oh-criminalization-in-california\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP)<\/a> warned that these restrictive bills are moving on an accelerated timeline and urged lawmakers to wait for more comprehensive toxicological data before enacting a permanent ban.<br><br><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Cities and Counties<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Subject:<\/strong> Opposition to Proposed Blanket Ban on Natural Kratom Products<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Anaheim<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/local.anaheim.net\/docs_agend\/questys_pub\/48290\/48320\/48321\/48365\/48475\/48475.3.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chapter 6.105<\/a>) <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">banned 7oh and synthetically enhanced<\/mark><br><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">City of Orange<\/mark><\/span> <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Ban passed<\/mark> <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Feb. 27, 2026 adopted<\/mark>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/City-of-Orange-Ordinance-No.-01-26.pdf\">Ordinance 01-26<\/a><br><strong>Costa Mesa:<\/strong> No city-level ban on natural plain-leaf kratom has been enacted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Covina:<\/strong> Adopted Ordinance 26-01 to regulate\/restrict high-potency synthetic extracts (such as 7-OH) and enforce<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Dana Point<\/span><\/strong> Banned. <\/mark><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance banning the sale and distribution of kratom products during its March 17, 2026 meeting.<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fountain Valley<\/strong> Adopted an ordinance targeting high-potency synthetic kratom (restricting 7-OH above 2% and enforcing age limits) rather than a total ban on natural plain leaf. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"><strong>Fullerton<\/strong> Banned.<\/mark> Adopted Ordinance No. 3357 in May 2026 to restrict the sale and distribution of kratom products within city limits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Garden Grove<\/span><\/strong> The City Council Reconsidered a sweeping commercial prohibition <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Huntington Beach<\/span><\/strong> &#8211; <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">banned 7oh<\/mark> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">LA County<\/span><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/LA-County-important-notice-retail-businesses-kratom-7-oh-tianeptine.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/LA-County-important-notice-retail-businesses-kratom-7-oh-tianeptine.pdf\">LA County Retail Notice<\/a> <em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/?page_id=1457\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/?page_id=1457\">HERE<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/hahn.lacounty.gov\/hahn-seeks-to-prevent-deaths-linked-to-kratom\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/hahn.lacounty.gov\/hahn-seeks-to-prevent-deaths-linked-to-kratom\/\">Janus Hahn on Kratom and 7oh<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Los Alamitos<\/span><\/strong> Introduced Ordinance No. 2026-02 to preserve access to natural plain leaf while placing restrictions on synthetic 7-OH and high-potency derivatives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">La Quinta<\/span>:<\/strong>&nbsp;Passed rules prohibiting the sale of kratom products containing more than 2% 7-OH and restricting sales to those under 21<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Marin County<\/strong> No local municipal ban on natural kratom leaf currently enacted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Marina<\/strong> No local municipal ban on natural kratom leaf currently enacted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Mariposa<\/strong> <strong>County<\/strong><\/span> The Board of Supervisors met to consider Health and Human Services recommendations regarding potential sales prohibitions on kratom\/7-OH products.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"><strong>Mission Viejo<\/strong> Banned <\/mark><a href=\"https:\/\/www.missionviejo.gov\/news\/council-approves-ordinance-health-and-welfare-mission-viejo\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.missionviejo.gov\/news\/council-approves-ordinance-health-and-welfare-mission-viejo\">Ordinance approved<\/a>\\<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Moreno Valley<\/span><\/strong> Officially adopted <a href=\"https:\/\/pub-morenovalley.escribemeetings.com\/Meeting.aspx?Id=2be59471-4d5a-4723-8abe-6b27370714f6&amp;Agenda=Agenda&amp;lang=English\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ordinance No. 1036<\/a>, which regulates the sale and distribution of kratom by <a href=\"https:\/\/riversiderecord.org\/moreno-valley-adopts-riverside-county-ordinance-regulating-kratom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">incorporating Riverside County&#8217;s Ordinance No. 1004<\/a> into the city\u2019s municipal code.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Murietta<\/strong><\/span> <\/mark><strong>Proposed Ordinance No. 628-26:<\/strong> A formal ordinance titled <a href=\"https:\/\/murrieta.legistar.com\/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7863581&amp;GUID=1574363D-81CC-48F9-9211-A745AD95FC1B&amp;Options=&amp;Search=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&#8220;Prohibiting the Sale, Distribution and Possession of Kratom&#8221;<\/a> was introduced in early 2026. However, at the <a href=\"https:\/\/murrieta.legistar.com\/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1347589&amp;GUID=B0658800-6856-4FE1-9C25-FE1A85E63160&amp;Options=info%7C&amp;Search=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">February 3, 2026 City Council meeting<\/a>, the council requested further clarification on legal standing before moving to criminalize personal possession, as advocates raised concerns about a &#8220;patchwork&#8221; of conflicting laws for commuters. Meeting February February 11, 2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/?page_id=1457\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/?page_id=1457\">Click for more details<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Newport Beach<\/span><\/strong> banned<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Oceanside<\/span><\/strong> banned in 2016<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Palm Desert<\/span><\/strong> During a <a href=\"https:\/\/citizenportal.ai\/articles\/7425653\/california\/riverside-county\/palm-desert\/California\/Riverside-County\/Palm-Desert\/Palm-Desert-leans-toward-regulating-highrisk-kratom-products-not-an-outright-ban\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study session on February 12, 2026<\/a>, the City Council expressed a preference for regulations that would mirror Riverside County\u2019s existing rules.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pasadena<\/strong> No city-level ban on natural plain-leaf kratom currently enacted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Riverside (City)<\/span><\/strong> Scheduled public council discussions regarding proposed regulatory frameworks (age limits, testing, labeling) instead of a direct total ban.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Riverside County<\/span><\/strong> <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Banned 7oh Oct 2025 Ordinance 1004<\/mark> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sacramento<\/strong> No local municipal ban on natural kratom leaf currently enacted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>San Buenaventura<\/strong> (Ventura) No local municipal ban on natural kratom leaf currently enacted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"><strong>San Diego County<\/strong> banned in 2025<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"><strong>San Diego City<\/strong> banned in 2016<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Santa Ana<\/strong> No city-level ban on natural plain-leaf kratom currently enacted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Santa Cruz<\/strong> No city-level ban on natural plain-leaf kratom currently enacted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Temecula-LR25-0438-Notice-of-Exemption.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Temecula-LR25-0438-Notice-of-Exemption.pdf\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"><strong>Temecula<\/strong><\/mark><\/a> <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"><\/mark>01-27-2026 \u2013&nbsp;<mark style=\"background-color:#ffffff\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">ban passed<\/mark> ALL Kratom Products <a href=\"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Temecula-Ordinance-LR25-0438.pdf\">Read Ordinance<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ventura County<\/strong> No countywide ban on natural kratom leaf currently enacted in unincorporated areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Westlake-CR1-ord-312-26.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Westlake-CR1-ord-312-26.pdf\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Westlake Village<\/mark><\/strong><\/a> <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Ban passed, Ordinance 312-26 kratom ban <\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Yolo County<\/strong> No countywide ban on natural kratom leaf currently enacted in unincorporated areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>AB1088&nbsp; An act to add Article 16 (commencing with Section 111224.8) to Chapter 5 of Part 5 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to public health.Status: Engrossed on June 2 2025 &#8211; 50% progressionAction: 2025-06-11 &#8211; Referred to Com. on HEALTH.Pending:&nbsp;Senate Health Committee SB758 (schedules 7OH) An act to add Section [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1457","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1457","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1457"}],"version-history":[{"count":63,"href":"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1457\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3285,"href":"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1457\/revisions\/3285"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1457"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}