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Council backs first reading of ordinance restricting high‑potency synthetic kratom and sales to under‑21s, directs six‑month compliance report
Summary
Murrieta’s council voted unanimously on first reading to adopt an ordinance that bans high‑potency synthetic 7‑hydroxy kratom products and requires age‑verification for natural kratom sales (21+); council amended the draft to remove criminal possession language and asked staff for six‑month compliance reporting.
Murrieta City Council on March 3 carried a first‑reading measure regulating kratom products: the ordinance bans high‑potency synthetic 7‑hydroxy alkaloid formulations and restricts sale of natural kratom to purchasers 21 and older, with vendor verification requirements.
Councilmember DeForest, who introduced the measure, said the ordinance is intended as a “targeted regulatory framework” focused on youth protection and on removing synthetic high‑potency products from retail shelves while allowing adults regulated access to natural leaf products. The city manager and staff briefed the council on regional approaches and noted other California cities have moved to similar, targeted rules.
Public testimony included clinicians and community members who urged balanced regulation: several speakers testified that natural kratom can serve as an opioid‑reduction tool for some adults but that the unregulated market raises safety concerns because products may be adulterated or contain high‑potency alkaloids. Mental‑health and addiction practitioners urged robust labeling and manufacturing standards.
During deliberations the council amended the ordinance to remove references to criminalizing basic possession so enforcement would focus on vendors and sales practices; the amended first reading passed unanimously (motion by Councilmember DeForest; second by Mayor Pro Tem Tim Holiday). Council also directed the police department and staff to return in six months with a compliance and incidence report and left open the option to revisit the policy based on enforcement experience and state/federal actions.
The measure addresses local sales, distribution and high‑potency synthetic formulations; staff noted impending state and federal activity on alkaloid regulation and said the local ordinance could be updated if state or federal law supersedes it.
