Riverside City Council
April 7, 2026

3/25/2026
1 RiversideCA.gov
ORDINANCE AMENDING RMC SECTION 6.24.080 AND ADDING SECTION 9.04.235 TO PROHIBIT THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF KRATOM PRODUCTSCity CouncilApril 7, 2026Riverside Police Department RPDonline.orgBACKGROUND•As of January 2026, there are 215 known locations selling tobacco products in the City including grocery stores, mini marts, smoke shops and gas stations•28 of those are classified as Smoke Shops per RMC which are defined as businesses with sales of tobacco constituting more than 30% of gross sales and/or 30% of net lease area•Between March 2025 and January 2026, the Vice Unit observed mini marts, gas stations and smoke shops selling kratom and synthetic based kratom products that exceed 2% of 7-OH concentration •Smoke shops were observed selling both NOS and kratom products along with illegal sales of psylocibin mushrooms, cannabis/cannabinoid products, and narcotics/narcotics paraphernalia. 1 2
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2 RPDonline.org•Tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia•Leaves contain 5 alkaloids•7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) comprises 2% of total alkaloids •Interacts with receptors in the brain as narcotics like morphine•Stimulant in low doses that increases energy and heart rate•Sedative in high doses that causes relaxation and pain relief•Not FDA regulated or approved for medical use•Concentrated / synthesized form is dangerous•Regular use can lead to addiction, dependence and withdrawal symptoms like opioid withdrawal from heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone and fentanylWHAT IS KRATOM? RPDonline.orgKRATOM RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS•Nausea•Constipation•Dizziness •Tremor •Sweating and vomiting•Liver toxicity •Seizures •Respiratory depression•Death 3 4
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3 RPDonline.orgKRATOMPreventingTheNextW av e of the Opioid Epidemic:WhatY ouNeed to K nowAbout 7-O H RPDonline.orgKRATOMT h eO p i o i dEpidemicis Evolvingwith 7-OH.W eC a nandMustA c tN o wto Prevent a NewW a v e . 5 6
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4 RPDonline.org7-O His Engineered to beAddictive. It is a Potent Opioid by Design.KRATOM RPDonline.orgKRATOM
• What began as doctor prescribedpainkillers migrated to back-alleydealers when prescriptions dried up.• Opioids have disturbingly gone mainstream with 7-OH. • No prescription needed, no dealer required.• This dangerous opioid is sitting onstore shelves, making gas stations, smoke shops and convenience stores.• Available for online purchase. 7 8
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5 RPDonline.orgKratom, NOS, 7-OH products along with synthetic urine Balloons on second shelf to ingest NOSSMOKE SHOP IN RIVERSIDE Picture Taken January 2026
RPDonline.orgKRATOM
Common display of kratomproducts for sale in SmokeShops throughout the City9 10 3/25/2026
6 RPDonline.orgKRATOM ENERGRY DRINK AT GAS STATION
N o •No identification was requested at the time of purchase. •This product was displayed next to other energy-enhancing beverages.•Cautions listed on the can state not to combine with alcohol or to be used while operating a motor vehicle.•Product lists 18 years or older to purchase and 21 years old where applicable.•Picture taken January 2026 RPDonline.org•Riverside County Ordinance No. 1004 (Oct 2025)–No kratom sales to person under 21 years old–Prohibits the sale, distribution, or possession of kratom and products exceeding 2% 7-OH concentration–No packaging marketing that are attractive to children–Prohibits sale of products containing synthetic or semi-synthetic kratom alkaloids–Age verification required at point of sale •La Quinta (2026), Anaheim (2026), Huntington Beach (2025), Laguna Niguel (2025), Murrieta (2026), and Buena Park (2026) adopted ordinances regulating the sale and distribution of kratom products similar the County•Cities of San Diego (2016), Oceanside (2016), Stanton (2025), Temecula(2026), and Newport Beach (2024) banned kratom completely REGIONAL KRATOM ORDINANCES11 12 3/25/2026
7 RPDonline.org•Add section 9.04.325 to Title 9 of the Riverside Municipal Code Prohibiting the Sale and Distribution of Kratom Products•Amend Chapter 6.24 of the Riverside Municipal Code to prohibit kratom sales at tobacco retail establishmentsPROPOSED ORDINANCE RPDonline.orgCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONSFebruary 18, 2026- The Safety, Wellness, and YouthCommittee, with all members present, considered theproposed ordinance amending Title 9 of the RiversideMunicipal Code to either regulate or prohibit the saleand distribution of kratom products and unanimouslymoved to prohibit the sale and distribution of kratomentirely in the City and forward the recommendation tothe City Council for final consideration13 14 3/25/2026
8 RPDonline.orgRECOMMENDATIONSThat the City Council introduce and subsequently adoptan ordinance amending Title 6 and Title 9 of theRiverside Municipal Code by amending Section 6.24.080regarding other requirements and prohibitions andadding section 9.04.235 regarding prohibiting the saleand distribution of kratom products within the City ofRiverside.15