Fountain Valley Takes Action Against Kratom

A city in Orange County is intensifying its efforts against a controversial drug that has been linked to fatalities nationwide.

This week, the Fountain Valley City Council made a strong decision by voting 4-1 to prohibit the sale, distribution, and possession of kratom, along with products that contain more than 2% 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) in their alkaloid content.

Additionally, the new ordinance restricts the sale of kratom products to anyone under 21 years old.

Kratom, originating from Southeast Asia, has only small amounts of 7-OH found in the tropical tree, which is known for its pain-relieving and mood-boosting properties.

That said, both kratom itself and concentrated forms of 7-OH are deemed unapproved and potentially hazardous.

“The FDA advises against the use of kratom due to serious risks, including toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorders. Though infrequent, fatalities linked to kratom have been confirmed by coroner and toxicology reports,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration noted.

Fountain Valley’s ban aligns with similar measures taken by other cities in Orange County, such as Newport Beach and Dana Point, which have also enacted ordinances against kratom sales.

Moreover, the California Department of Public Health has announced plans to implement a statewide ban on the sale and manufacturing of kratom and 7-OH products by October 2025.

Recently, law enforcement discovered approximately half a pound of kratom in the vehicle of late NBA player Brandon Clark, who passed away six weeks later, with drug paraphernalia found at the scene.

In another tragic case, the daughter of former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Austin Beutner died earlier this year due to a mix of substances that included compounds associated with kratom.

A second reading of this ordinance is set for an upcoming city council meeting, with enforcement expected to commence 30 days after its adoption.