REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Eric Parra, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Shannon Levin, Council Policy Analyst and Kevin Johnson, Captain
Subject:
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Approve for Introduction Ordinance No. 4339 Prohibiting the Sale, Distribution and Possession of Kratom
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Statement of Issue:
At the request of Council Woman Gracey Van Der Mark, the Huntington Beach City Council, at its August 19, 2025, meeting, directed staff to prepare an ordinance prohibiting the sale and distribution of Kratom within the City. The City Council voted unanimously in support of bringing the ordinance forward for consideration.
Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve for introduction Ordinance No. 4339 "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Amending the Huntington Beach Municipal Code by Adding New Chapter 9.92 Thereof Prohibiting the Sale, Distribution and Possession of Kratom."
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain psychoactive compounds, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which can produce stimulant effects at low doses and sedative effects at high doses. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Kratom use has been associated with a range of adverse health impacts, including psychotic symptoms, dependence, and numerous side effects such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, constipation, tachycardia, seizures, hallucinations, and hepatotoxicity.
Although Kratom is often marketed for relief of pain, anxiety, opioid withdrawal, and fatigue, there are no FDA-approved medical uses for the substance. The FDA continues to monitor reports of adverse events, and current data suggests Kratom's opioid-like prope...
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