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An Orange County city is cracking down on a controversial drug tied to deaths across the country.
The Fountain Valley City Council voted 4-1 this week to ban the sale, distribution and possession of kratom and other products containing more than 2% of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) in the alkaloid fraction, taking a tough stance against the highly addictive substance.
The ordinance also outlaws the sale of kratom products to individuals under the age of 21.
Native to Southeast Asia, the tropical kratom tree can provide pain relief and mood enhancement while containing only trace amounts of 7-OH.
However, kratom and concentrated amounts of 7-OH are considered to be unapproved and very risky.
“FDA was warned consumers not to use kratom because of the risk of serious adverse events, including toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder (SUD). In rare cases, deaths have been associated with kratom use, as confirmed by a medical examiner or toxicology reports,” the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported.
Fountain Valley’s ban comes after other Orange County cities such as Newport Beach and Dana Point passed similar ordinances.
The California Department of Public Health also issued a statewide directive banning the sale and manufacture of products containing kratom and 7-OH back in October 2025.
A few months ago, police discovered roughly half a pound of kratom inside the vehicle of the late NBA player Brandon Clarke. He passed away six weeks later, with authorities finding drug paraphernalia at the scene.
In early January, the daughter of the former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Austin Beutner also tragically died from a combination of substances, including compounds found in kratom.
A second reading of the ordinance will take place at a future council meeting and will go into effect 30 days after its adoption.
English (US)