Trending...
- Pacific Harbor Line's Cliatt II Receives Black History Month Trailblazer of the Century Award - 115
- Transcure Responds to CMS Removal of 285 Inpatient-Only Procedures - 105
- JiT Home Buyers Strengthens Multi-State Presence as Demand for Flexible Home Selling Solutions Grows - 103
News
Mar 3, 2026
Governor Newsom announces 95% compliance with prohibition of illegal kratom products
3,308 illicit products removed from shelves in three weeks
What you need to know: California businesses are 95% compliant in removing 3,308 illicit and deadly kratom and 7-OH products from their store shelves.
SACRAMENTO – Continuing the state's comprehensive efforts to crack down on dangerous and illegal drugs from store shelves, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced 95% compliance rate from California businesses with the removal of kratom products from California businesses.
Following a statewide education campaign through the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and the California Department of Public Health, in just three weeks, agents have removed more than 3,300 kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products from shelves at licensed businesses.
California will not stand by while dangerous, illegal products are sold in our communities. We've shown with illegal hemp products that when the state sets clear expectations and partners with businesses, compliance follows. This effort builds on that model — education first, enforcement where necessary — to protect Californians.
Governor Gavin Newsom
Foods, dietary supplements, and medical drugs containing kratom and 7-OH are illegal to sell or manufacture in California and pose significant health risks to consumers. Products made from kratom plants, which are native to Southeast Asia, or their derivative 7-OH, have appeared for sale in California establishments, often marketed as dietary supplements, drinks, or gummies.
Protecting Californians from kratom
According to public health officials, kratom and 7-OH are associated with addiction, serious harm, overdose, and death. These products have not been tested for safety, consistency, effectiveness, or accurate labeling and have not been approved for sale by the FDA. When combined with alcohol, prescription medications, or other substances, they can cause severe respiratory depression and fatal outcomes.
"Despite the wide availability of kratom-derived and 7-OH products, and unproven claims about their benefits, these products are associated with addiction, serious harm, overdose, and death, and have not been approved by the FDA as a food, supplement, or additive," said CDPH Assistant Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Rita Nguyen. "It is illegal to manufacture or sell kratom or 7-OH products for consumption at any age. That policy is — and remains — our most health‑protective stance, and we appreciate partnership with ABC, CDTFA, and others in enforcing the law to protect Californians, especially our most vulnerable."
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analysis found that kratom was implicated — at least in part — in 846 fatal overdose cases in 30 states and D.C. in 2022, the last full year for which data is available. This number is not inclusive of California-specific data. In California, according to a health department specific analysis, kratom was implicated in 242 deaths in 2020-2022, with 27 blamed solely on the illegal product.
In early October 2025, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced additional fatal overdoses that were tied to kratom, of which also alcohol was present in all cases. A Los Angeles medical examiner identified three fatal overdoses in LA County residents between the ages of 18 to 40 years old, making the number of those affected a total of six. Those who were victims of kratom, were otherwise healthy, with no other substances identified as substantively contributing to their deaths.
More on The Californer
This raised flags for county public health officials on the unregulated kratom products that are marketed as different products ranging from tablets or in liquid form, to the wider public with no warning on its effects. Those who are also affected by the rise in the kratom epidemic are young adults who are targeted through marketing tactics in stores.
On October 24, 2025, CDPH issued a statewide consumer warning declaring that foods, dietary supplements, and medical drugs containing kratom or 7-OH are dangerous and illegal to sell or manufacture in California. To date, CDPH has seized more than $5 million worth of kratom and 7-OH products under its authority pursuant to the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Educating California licensees
On January 19, ABC agents began visiting licensed locations to educate licensees of the dangerousness of these products. Between January 19 and February 8, agents visited more than 2,600 locations throughout the state.
"ABC licensed businesses have once again demonstrated their commitment to protecting their communities and customers," said ABC Director Paul Tupy. "As we saw with illegal hemp products, we are seeing a high level of compliance with the law regarding kratom and 7-OH products. Our licensees have done an outstanding job removing these dangerous products from their shelves."
Full enforcement began on February 9, and since then, agents have conducted 1,839 licensee visits, bringing the total number of visits to 4,502. Agents have found nearly all licensed locations have been in compliance when visited, identifying only 61 violations. Investigations are ongoing on whether these licensees found in violation could face administrative actions against their licenses.
Building on successful hemp enforcement
This effort follows a similar enforcement initiative aimed at removing potentially dangerous, illegal hemp products from ABC licensees' shelves. Since October 2024, ABC licensees have achieved a 99.17% compliance rate regarding illegal hemp products. Since the beginning of 2026, no violations have been found in 2,612 visits.
The kratom enforcement campaign mirrors the state's successful strategy for illegal hemp products, prioritizing education through clear communication of the law, involves coordinated efforts between agencies, and ensures prompt enforcement action when necessary.
Why this matters
The state's enforcement will continue to target compliance at ABC-licensed locations to keep Californians safe from exposure to dangerous and illegal products. Businesses that fail to comply with the prohibition may face administrative disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation of their ABC license.
The following resources have been developed to raise awareness of the health risks and the fact that it is illegal to sell these products for consumption:
Consumers are advised to avoid using kratom-derived or 7-OH products as they are dangerous, illegal, and potentially deadly. To reduce risk of overdose, anyone who may use 7-OH is advised to never mix with alcohol or other drugs, know the signs of overdose, and carry naloxone. Naloxone is a life-saving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose, including overdose related to heroin, fentanyl, prescription opioid medications or 7-OH.
More on The Californer
Anyone experiencing adverse effects after consuming these products should contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or visit poisonhelp.org. To report the unlawful sale of these products, consumers may call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at (800) 495-3232 or submit an electronic report.
Press releases, Public safety, Recent news
https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkur..." rel="nofollow">Recent news
Governor Newsom announces new CARE Court accountability measures to get more chronically mentally ill off our streets, awards $291 million in funding for services and housing
Mar 2, 2026
News What you need to know: Building on the first drop in unsheltered homelessness in nearly two decades,, Governor Newsom today is launching new accountability tools to speed up the ' implementation of the CARE Act – which gets mentally ill Californians off our...
As Trump tears apart decades of environmental progress, Governor Newsom restores nearly 300,000 acres of habitat and cuts average permitting time to 42 days
Mar 2, 2026
News New report shows four years of historic progress, including 500+ fast-tracked restoration projects, 700 miles of streams improved, and $12 million in permitting savings What you need to know: The Newsom administration continues to make it faster, easier, and more...
Governor Newsom releases 2025 judicial appointment data
Feb 27, 2026
News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today released judicial applicant and appointee data for the administration's judicial appointments. Since taking office in 2019 through 2025, Governor Newsom made 695 judicial appointments – including 118 in 2025 – from a pool...
Mar 3, 2026
Governor Newsom announces 95% compliance with prohibition of illegal kratom products
3,308 illicit products removed from shelves in three weeks
What you need to know: California businesses are 95% compliant in removing 3,308 illicit and deadly kratom and 7-OH products from their store shelves.
SACRAMENTO – Continuing the state's comprehensive efforts to crack down on dangerous and illegal drugs from store shelves, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced 95% compliance rate from California businesses with the removal of kratom products from California businesses.
Following a statewide education campaign through the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and the California Department of Public Health, in just three weeks, agents have removed more than 3,300 kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products from shelves at licensed businesses.
California will not stand by while dangerous, illegal products are sold in our communities. We've shown with illegal hemp products that when the state sets clear expectations and partners with businesses, compliance follows. This effort builds on that model — education first, enforcement where necessary — to protect Californians.
Governor Gavin Newsom
Foods, dietary supplements, and medical drugs containing kratom and 7-OH are illegal to sell or manufacture in California and pose significant health risks to consumers. Products made from kratom plants, which are native to Southeast Asia, or their derivative 7-OH, have appeared for sale in California establishments, often marketed as dietary supplements, drinks, or gummies.
Protecting Californians from kratom
According to public health officials, kratom and 7-OH are associated with addiction, serious harm, overdose, and death. These products have not been tested for safety, consistency, effectiveness, or accurate labeling and have not been approved for sale by the FDA. When combined with alcohol, prescription medications, or other substances, they can cause severe respiratory depression and fatal outcomes.
"Despite the wide availability of kratom-derived and 7-OH products, and unproven claims about their benefits, these products are associated with addiction, serious harm, overdose, and death, and have not been approved by the FDA as a food, supplement, or additive," said CDPH Assistant Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Rita Nguyen. "It is illegal to manufacture or sell kratom or 7-OH products for consumption at any age. That policy is — and remains — our most health‑protective stance, and we appreciate partnership with ABC, CDTFA, and others in enforcing the law to protect Californians, especially our most vulnerable."
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analysis found that kratom was implicated — at least in part — in 846 fatal overdose cases in 30 states and D.C. in 2022, the last full year for which data is available. This number is not inclusive of California-specific data. In California, according to a health department specific analysis, kratom was implicated in 242 deaths in 2020-2022, with 27 blamed solely on the illegal product.
In early October 2025, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced additional fatal overdoses that were tied to kratom, of which also alcohol was present in all cases. A Los Angeles medical examiner identified three fatal overdoses in LA County residents between the ages of 18 to 40 years old, making the number of those affected a total of six. Those who were victims of kratom, were otherwise healthy, with no other substances identified as substantively contributing to their deaths.
More on The Californer
- ReProp Financial Announces the Hiring of Veteran Commercial Lender Mark Hunton
- National Expansion Ignited Across Amazon $AMZN, Chewy $CHWY & Walmart $WMT: NDT Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Stock Symbol: NDTP) $NDTP
- Breathe Biologics, Inc. names Ed Johnson as Chief Executive Officer
- Distributed Social Media - Own Your Content
- Tarrytown Expocare Pharmacy Announces Strategic Leadership Appointments to Accelerate Growth and Innovation
This raised flags for county public health officials on the unregulated kratom products that are marketed as different products ranging from tablets or in liquid form, to the wider public with no warning on its effects. Those who are also affected by the rise in the kratom epidemic are young adults who are targeted through marketing tactics in stores.
On October 24, 2025, CDPH issued a statewide consumer warning declaring that foods, dietary supplements, and medical drugs containing kratom or 7-OH are dangerous and illegal to sell or manufacture in California. To date, CDPH has seized more than $5 million worth of kratom and 7-OH products under its authority pursuant to the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Educating California licensees
On January 19, ABC agents began visiting licensed locations to educate licensees of the dangerousness of these products. Between January 19 and February 8, agents visited more than 2,600 locations throughout the state.
"ABC licensed businesses have once again demonstrated their commitment to protecting their communities and customers," said ABC Director Paul Tupy. "As we saw with illegal hemp products, we are seeing a high level of compliance with the law regarding kratom and 7-OH products. Our licensees have done an outstanding job removing these dangerous products from their shelves."
Full enforcement began on February 9, and since then, agents have conducted 1,839 licensee visits, bringing the total number of visits to 4,502. Agents have found nearly all licensed locations have been in compliance when visited, identifying only 61 violations. Investigations are ongoing on whether these licensees found in violation could face administrative actions against their licenses.
Building on successful hemp enforcement
This effort follows a similar enforcement initiative aimed at removing potentially dangerous, illegal hemp products from ABC licensees' shelves. Since October 2024, ABC licensees have achieved a 99.17% compliance rate regarding illegal hemp products. Since the beginning of 2026, no violations have been found in 2,612 visits.
The kratom enforcement campaign mirrors the state's successful strategy for illegal hemp products, prioritizing education through clear communication of the law, involves coordinated efforts between agencies, and ensures prompt enforcement action when necessary.
Why this matters
The state's enforcement will continue to target compliance at ABC-licensed locations to keep Californians safe from exposure to dangerous and illegal products. Businesses that fail to comply with the prohibition may face administrative disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation of their ABC license.
The following resources have been developed to raise awareness of the health risks and the fact that it is illegal to sell these products for consumption:
- ABC licensee advisory reminds businesses that kratom and 7-OH products are illegal to sell for consumption and informs retailers about ABC enforcement actions.
- Kratom fact sheet for local environmental health agencies who may want to take voluntary action or educational efforts on kratom and 7-OH in their jurisdictions.
- Letter to tobacco retailers that kratom and 7-OH products are illegal to sell for consumption and that retailers may be subject to legal actions and enforcement measures.
- Health care provider advisory with information about kratom and 7-OH, clinical recommendations and additional resources and references.
Consumers are advised to avoid using kratom-derived or 7-OH products as they are dangerous, illegal, and potentially deadly. To reduce risk of overdose, anyone who may use 7-OH is advised to never mix with alcohol or other drugs, know the signs of overdose, and carry naloxone. Naloxone is a life-saving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose, including overdose related to heroin, fentanyl, prescription opioid medications or 7-OH.
More on The Californer
- New Environmental Thriller "The Star Thrower" Reimagines a Classic Lesson in Individual Impact
- Summit Appoints Javier Cabeza as Data, AI, and Analytics Practice Lead
- March Is Skiing's Smartest Buying Window
- Cancun Airport Transportation Expands Fleet Ahead of Record Passenger Growth at Cancun International Airport
- Turmeric Black Color, Dr..Abhay Kumar Pati, Physician & Researcher, Hayward, CA, USA
Anyone experiencing adverse effects after consuming these products should contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or visit poisonhelp.org. To report the unlawful sale of these products, consumers may call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at (800) 495-3232 or submit an electronic report.
Press releases, Public safety, Recent news
https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkur..." rel="nofollow">Recent news
Governor Newsom announces new CARE Court accountability measures to get more chronically mentally ill off our streets, awards $291 million in funding for services and housing
Mar 2, 2026
News What you need to know: Building on the first drop in unsheltered homelessness in nearly two decades,, Governor Newsom today is launching new accountability tools to speed up the ' implementation of the CARE Act – which gets mentally ill Californians off our...
As Trump tears apart decades of environmental progress, Governor Newsom restores nearly 300,000 acres of habitat and cuts average permitting time to 42 days
Mar 2, 2026
News New report shows four years of historic progress, including 500+ fast-tracked restoration projects, 700 miles of streams improved, and $12 million in permitting savings What you need to know: The Newsom administration continues to make it faster, easier, and more...
Governor Newsom releases 2025 judicial appointment data
Feb 27, 2026
News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today released judicial applicant and appointee data for the administration's judicial appointments. Since taking office in 2019 through 2025, Governor Newsom made 695 judicial appointments – including 118 in 2025 – from a pool...
0 Comments
Latest on The Californer
- JiT Home Buyers Announces Standardized Nationwide Operating Model to Strengthen Homeowner Experience
- Life Hacks of the Rich and Famous named "Best Self Help Podcast"
- Seth Neblett's Mothership Connected: Focuses on P-Funk's Women as Mothership Celebrates 50 Years
- Passive Appoints Ana Bolčević as Head of Design
- At 25, She Became One of the Youngest AAPI Female Founders to Win One of the World's Most Prestigious Design Awards for a Lamp That Makes You Smile
- Sunnyvale Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Highlights Community Access to Advanced Laser Dentistry
- Juego Studios Extends Full-Cycle Game Development & Outsourcing Capabilities to the UAE Market
- Composer Aidan Vass Releases Cleome, a Generative Ambient Music Engine for Spas and Wellness Centers
- Enhanced Perimeter Protection Now Available in Ashville Through Countrywide Rental
- iPOP Alum Elizabeth Zacero competing in Survivor Croatia
- Mento Labs LLC Launches ForgeFit, an AI-Powered Fitness Coaching App for Everyone
- How to Add Phone Calls to OpenClaw Easily with Call24x7
- VENUS Goes Live on CATEX Exchange As UK Financial Ltd Activates The Premier Division Of The Maya Meme's League
- EDCAPIT Raises Investment at $20M Valuation Cap; Khayrullaev Invests and Joins as Advisor
- Elklook Launches Special March 8th Women's Day Event
- Atlanta Tech Founder Seeks Clarity on Intellectual Property and Innovation Policy
- California: Governor Newsom releases 2025 judicial appointment data
- California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 2.27.2026
- First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom launches California Love, California Strong to fight loneliness across the state
- BCFoods Launches New Website to Enhance Customer Experience and Global Alignment