TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Justin Clifton, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Isaac Bravo, Management Analyst
SUBJECT:
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Approval of Ordinance No. 628-26 Prohibiting the Sale, Distribution and Possession of Kratom
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RECOMMENDATION[JC1]
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Conduct the first reading and introduce Ordinance No. 628-26 entitled: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California Amending the Murrieta Municipal Code by Adding New Chapter 9.40, Prohibiting the Sale, Distribution, and Possession of Kratom.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On December 16, 2025, during requests to add items to a future agenda, Council Member DeForest requested to bring a policy or ordinance banning the sale and distribution of Kratom was made by Council Member DeForest (Consensus received).
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Foster and promote an engaged, connected and caring community.
DISCUSSION
Kratom is a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain two primary psychoactive alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. When consumed, kratom can produce stimulant-like effects at lower doses and sedative effects at higher doses.
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), kratom has historically been used by individuals to self-treat a range of conditions, including pain, coughing, anxiety, depression, opioid use disorder, and opioid withdrawal. However, kratom has not been adequately studied for safety, nor has it been approved by the FDA for any medical use. There are currently no FDA-approved prescription or over-the-counter drug products containing kratom legally marketed in the United States. The FDA continues to monitor reports of adverse events associated with kratom use. Available studies indicate that kratom's opioid-like properties may expose users to risks of addiction, abuse, and dependence.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has not classified kratom as a controlled substance...
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