REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Shannon Levin, Council Policy Analyst
Subject:
title
Consider position on legislation pending before the State Legislature
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Statement of Issue:
Assembly Bill 634 (Gonzalez, J.) would prohibit the manufacture, distribution, and offer for sale of tianeptine.
Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Support Assembly Bill 634: Tianeptine and issue a letter of support.
end
Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
On April 20, 2026 the Intergovernmental Relations Committee voted to support AB 634 (Gonzalez, J): Tianeptine. The context of the bill does not fall under the umbrella of the 2026 Legislative Platform, and so it is presented to the City Council for consideration.
Tianeptine is an antidepressant drug approved for the treatment of major depressive disorders in various countries within Europe, Asia, and Latin America. It is not approved for any use in the United States according to the FDA.
Tianeptine, also known as "gas station heroin," is not approved by the FDA for medical use. Tianeptine is considered an unsafe food additive, making its sale illegal in the U.S. The FDA has taken actions on tianeptine including: issuing multiple consumer advisories and warnings about products with tianeptine as being linked to serious harm, overdose, and death; issuing warning letters to companies distributing and selling unlawful tianeptine products as dietary supplements and unapproved drugs.
Despite this, tianeptine continues to be sold in convenience stores and gas stations in both powder and pill form claiming to treat conditions such as anxiety, depression, pain, and to enhance the users' mood and cognitive function. Tianeptine can be obtained online from independent vendors without a prescription.
According to the FDA, reports of severe side effects involving tianeptine are increasing. Poison control center cases involving tianeptine exposure have increased nationwide, from 11 total cases between 2000 and 2013 to 151 cases in 2020 alone. The FDA has identified cases in which people experienced other serious harmful effects from abusing or misusing tianeptine by itself or with other drugs, including antidepressants and antianxiety medicines. These effects included agitation, drowsiness, confusion, sweating, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, slowed or stopped breathing, coma, and death.
It is already illegal to market and sell tianeptine in California, and Department of Public Health already has authority to address the illegal sale of tianeptine under existing law. This bill expressly prohibits the manufacture, distribution, and offer for sale of tianeptine in this state and creates an additional civil penalty structure.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Draft Support Letter - AB 634