City Council Meeting – Council Member Items Report
To: City Council
From: Gracey Larrea -Van Der Mark, Councilwoman; Pat Burns, Mayor; Casey McKeon, Mayor Pro Tem
Date: July 15, 2025
Subject: PROHIBITION OF THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF KRATOM
2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | www.huntingtonbeachca.gov
ISSUE STATEMENT
Kratom should be prohibited from being sold or distributed within the City of Huntington Beach due to its dangerous and potentially addictive properties. Though marketed as a natural supplement, kratom can cause serious side effects, including hallucinations, seizures, liver damage, and even death. It is often used as an opioid substitute and is not approved by the FDA for medical use.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has listed kratom as a “Drug of Concern” because it can lead to addiction, psychotic symptoms, and harmful physical effects such as confusion, insomnia, and nausea. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that kratom is often used without medical supervision and is associated with serious health risks, including seizures, liver toxicity, physical dependence, substance use disorder, and even death.
Newborns exposed to kratom in the womb have shown dangerous withdrawal symptoms after birth.
The FDA has not approved any prescription or over-the-counter drug products containing kratom or its two main chemical components, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Kratom is not lawfully marketed in the U.S. as a drug product, a dietary supplement, or a food additive in conventional food.
Most concerning is that kratom remains easily accessible to anyone—including children— through smoke shops and online retailers. To protect public health and prevent harm to our youth, Huntington Beach must act swiftly to prohibit its sale, distribution, and possession.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Direct the City Manager to work with the City Attorney and HBPD to prepare an ordinance prohibiting and/or restricting the sale or distribution of kratom in the City of Huntington Beach.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS
Not applicable.
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL
Not Applicable - Administrative Item.