Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Kratom Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Moreno Valley council directs staff to draft kratom ordinance after staff briefing
Summary
After a staff report on health and regulatory concerns, Moreno Valley council voted 5–0 on Nov. 18 to direct staff to draft an ordinance banning sale/distribution of kratom similar to a Riverside County ordinance, pending potential state-level standards under AB 1008.
The Moreno Valley City Council reviewed background information on a proposed local ban on the sale and distribution of kratom and directed staff to return an ordinance tailored to the city.
A staff report summarized kratom as a botanical product with compounds that interact with opioid receptors and noted federal and state concern. Staff cited several recent local actions, including a Riverside County ordinance that prohibits sale and distribution of certain kratom products and restricts marketing and packaging practices. The staff report also referenced Assembly Bill 1008, which, if enacted and carried through the Senate Health Committee, could establish statewide standards for age restrictions, packaging and potency caps.
City staff emphasized that a local ordinance would likely be temporary until the state adopts uniform regulation. Councilmembers asked about enforcement and messaging to businesses. The city manager’s office said staff would partner with regional agencies and the business-license division, start with an educational period and then enforce penalties modeled on recently adopted county ordinances, which may include misdemeanor fines and business-license consequences.
Councilmember motioned and the council voted 5–0 to direct staff to prepare an ordinance similar to Riverside County’s approach. No ordinance text was adopted that night; the council took a direction to bring a draft back for reading(s) at future meetings.
