The City Council of Bridgeport, Texas, voted unanimously Aug. 11 to add a new Article 8.08 to the city code prohibiting the sale of kratom and kratom products inside the city limits.

Councilmembers cited public-safety and labeling concerns in supporting the ordinance. Chief of Police Steve, who led the presentation, told the council that kratom "acts like, similar to opium" at higher doses and that packaging and labeling for kratom products can be confusing. He said the city’s prior action on synthetic cannabinoids ("K2") informed a proactive approach now.

The ordinance, as adopted, regulates only the sale of kratom within the city; possession and use are not addressed by the new provision. Chief Steve told the council that state rules since February 2023 require retailers to verify buyers are 18 or older and limit kratom formulations to 2 percent, and he also noted that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had recently called for a ban in August 2025.

Council discussion included caution about limiting access for people who may use kratom for self-managed medical purposes and concern that a local ban could shift purchases to nearby towns. Councilmember Bobby Rodriguez said he would "move to approve the amendment of chapter 8" to prohibit sale; Matt Van Hoose seconded the motion. The vote was 5–0 in favor.

Supporters of the ordinance pointed to public-health and enforcement costs. Chief Steve said laboratory testing for potency can run about $500 per sample and cited past local expenditures of more than $20,000 for testing THC/CBD products. He said some locally sold kratom products appeared packaged like an energy shot with small, difficult-to-read warnings.

Councilmembers asked staff to monitor state action — including a special-session bill (Senate Bill 5) referenced during the meeting — and to bring the issue back if state or federal policy changes. The council also noted that the ordinance can be repealed or amended later if new medical or regulatory information becomes available.

The ordinance passed on a single vote and will be codified in the city’s code of ordinances as Article 8.08.