The Moreno Valley City Council Tuesday voted unanimously to adopt a Riverside County ordinance regulating the sale and distribution of products containing kratom and its synthetic version, known as 7-Hydroxymitragynine or 7-OH.
“The adoption, by reference, of this particular ordinance will allow Riverside County the ability to enforce their ordinance in the city of Moreno Valley,” City Manager Brian Mohan said at the January 6 meeting.
The ordinance prohibits the sale, distribution and possession of kratom or 7-OH products exceeding 2% 7-OH concentration, the sale of kratom or 7-OH products to anyone under the age of 21, requires age verification at the point of sale, bans the use of packaging and marketing that’s “attractive to children” and prohibits the sale of products containing synthetic or semi-synthetic kratom alkaloids. Those who violate the ordinance face misdemeanor prosecution, fines of up to $1,000 and the revocation of their business license.
Mohan said the city would work with the Joint Task Force, which includes the city, the county and area school districts, to inform the community and area businesses about the new regulations.
“Before this body heard about kratom, it was not very well known,” said Councilmember Ed Delgado, who first brought the item to the council at its November 18 meeting. “We received a lot of public comments from constituents in the city of Moreno Valley thanking us for bringing this to the forefront.”
Stay up to date with the latest from The Record. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter today!
Kratom is a botanical product native to Southeast Asia and has been used traditionally for its stimulant and pain relieving properties. At low doses, kratom produces stimulant effects such as increased alertness, physical energy and talkativeness, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). At high doses, however, the substance produces sedative effects, according to the agency. Consumption can lead to addiction, the DEA said.
Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters to health care professionals and consumers about the risks associated with 7-OH products. The letters came a month after the FDA issued warning letters to seven companies that the agency said were illegally distributing tablets, gummies, drink mixes and shots containing 7-OH. Kratom products are commonly sold at smoke shops and convenience stores.
The council took the first step of approving the ordinance at its December 2 meeting. At that meeting, Mohan said the ordinance could be temporary depending on whether the state adopts regulations on the substance. The city’s ordinance is set to go into effect February 5.
In other council action: The council voted unanimously to discuss a potential temporary moratorium on logistic warehousing and industrial projects in the city at the next regularly scheduled council meeting.
The Riverside Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet providing Riverside County with high-quality journalism free of charge. We’re able to do this because of the generous donations of supporters like you!