Fresno County Health Department Urges Residents Avoid Kratom; Supervisors Advance Restrictions

The Fresno County Department of Public Health is advising residents to avoid kratom and concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products because of mounting reports linking high-potency kratom products to serious adverse events and overdose deaths among young adults. County communications warn that “some products sold as ‘kratom extract’ or ‘enhanced kratom’ may contain high levels of 7-OH or synthetic substances that do not naturally occur.”

The Board of Supervisors took a unanimous step toward local regulation at a Jan. 23 meeting by approving a move to introduce restrictions in unincorporated areas. Draft ordinance language circulating in county records would add a new Chapter 10.72 to the Ordinance Code titled SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF KRATOM TO MINORS PROHIBITED. The draft lists Section 10.72.010 Purpose and Intent, Section 10.72.020 Definitions, and Section 10.72.030 Sale and distribution of kratom to minors prohibited.

The draft ordinance includes a clear age restriction: “Except as otherwise expressly authorized by law, an individual, business, or other entity shall not sell, attempt to sell, offer, provide, or distribute a kratom product in unincorporated areas of Fresno County to a person under 21 years of age.” The draft also seeks to “prohibit the sale and distribution of all kratom and other products that contain more than 2% of 7-hydroxymitragynine in the alkaloid fraction, recognizing the significant health risks associated with elevated concentrations of this alkaloid.”

The proposed language attempts to distinguish traditionally prepared kratom from engineered compounds by defining synthetic or biosynthetic alkaloids as those “created by chemical synthesis or biosynthetic means (including but not limited to; fermentation, recombinant techniques, yeast derived, enzymatic techniques), rather than traditional food preparation techniques such as heating or extracting. It also includes alkaloids that has been further exposed to chemicals or processes that would confer a structural change in the alkaloids contained within the extract.”

A joint news conference followed the hearing with Fresno City Councilmember Nelson Esparza and county health officials. The hearing drew several residents to speak, with many opposing the ordinance, while supporters highlighted a difference between natural kratom and “synthetic” or enhanced products. Supporters noted kratom contains mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, “the latter of which has been the source of greatest concern among health advocates due to its potential addictive qualities.”

Fresno’s move comes as other California cities have tightened controls. San Diego, Newport Beach and Oceanside have moved to ban sale, possession and distribution of kratom products, and the City of Pasadena’s public health department issued a notice advising against use. One source states “U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy also announced earlier this year plans to restrict kratom use.”

For Fresno County residents the immediate impact is practical and local. If the ordinance advances, retailers in unincorporated areas could face an under-21 sales ban and limits on high-potency products, and consumers should avoid unregulated extracts marketed as enhanced kratom. The Board has advanced the proposal toward formal introduction, and county health officials say they will continue to provide guidance as staff prepares ordinance language and implementation details.