Murrieta council to study kratom after state health agency letter; staff to return with research

Murrieta council instructed staff to return with additional research on kratom regulation after staff presented a California Department of Public Health (CDPH) advisory and legal-language interpretation.

City staff said CDPH issued a statewide consumer warning stating that foods, dietary supplements and medical products containing kratom or derivatives pose risks and that selling such products as food additives could be illegal in California. The city attorney explained the CDPH opinion cites state health-and-safety code provisions related to adulterated foods; staff also noted a proposed state bill that would restrict sales to people 21 and over.

Police and city staff said the CDPH letter addresses sale as a food additive (enforcement through administrative or ABC/health channels), not simple possession, and the Riverside County DA had not given final direction on prosecution. After discussion councilmembers asked staff to gather comparative local ordinances, the legislative landscape, medical/toxicology expertise, and enforcement cost/impact analyses before any council action. Several councilmembers emphasized that if local action is considered it should focus on sale and business regulation rather than broad criminalization of individuals.

Council signaled consensus to bring the item back for study, with requests for medical expert testimony and models from other jurisdictions that have adopted restrictions. The council did not adopt a ban at the Feb. 3 meeting.