Fresno County regulates kratom use due to health risks

Kratom, a naturally occurring substance that can cause addiction and serious risks in high doses, is already a concern for authorities, and new regulations will be introduced in January to protect consumer health.

Daniela Rodríguez, an intern at UC Berkeley and reporter for Radio Bilingüe, presents this information.

A plant native to Southeast Asia, known as kratom, which some people use for pain, anxiety, or to quit opioids, is sold in capsules, powders, teas, and highly concentrated drinks known as “shots” or strong extracts.

Although some view it as natural, doctors and health authorities warn that certain products made from this plant can be addictive and cause serious health problems.

Luis Chávez, Fresno County Supervisor for District 3, explains the local government’s efforts to ban certain kratom products in unincorporated areas of the county.

“We have the figures that have shown us that it is obviously a danger to public health. So we decided to take action. We introduced this law more than a month ago.”

Due to the lack of clarification on ingredients and the easy access to kratom products, new regulations applicable to Fresno County will take effect in January, at the start of the new year. Supervisor Luis Chávez explains what these measures consist of.

“The synthetic substance is the one that will not be allowed at all. People 21 and older will be able to purchase the organic substance, which comes in the form of tea, in a regulated form.”

Luis Chávez explains that the substance 7-OH is much more potent. Although it exists naturally in the kratom plant, it is usually present in very small amounts. However, many products concentrate it or add it artificially.

“It is a synthetic substance because it is derived from this plant. But it has other kinds of chemicals, another kind of composition. What has happened is that many companies, because it is a nutritional supplement, do not have to actually say what other substances they contain. And there are no regulations. So the public is not protected in that sense.”

The new regulations also include allowing the sale of kratom in unincorporated areas, but only under strict rules, such as prohibiting its sale to minors under the age of 21 and requiring sellers to verify their customers’ identification. In addition, products cannot contain synthetic substances or high levels of 7-OH, must be properly labeled, and cannot use packaging that appeals to children.

“Our Department of Public Health, in conjunction with the authorities, whether it be code enforcement or, if necessary, the sheriff, will respond to locations and conduct inspections to ensure that these individuals are no longer selling this product. And if these individuals continue to sell this product, they may be fined the first time and also have their merchandise confiscated if they continue to sell this substance.”

The easy access to kratom at gas stations and liquor stores has concerned many people. Therefore, after listening to doctors and those facing addiction problems, Fresno County chose to regulate modified kratom products, not the natural plant.

“People who were previously using drugs and have now replaced them with this in order to gradually reduce the amount they consume take it in the form of tea.”

There are also people who struggle with addiction and often use kratom tea or the natural plant to relieve withdrawal symptoms, sometimes seeing it as a more “natural” alternative. Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez says they also heard testimony from a mother whose son died after consuming kratom.

“She told us that her son had died from ingesting this substance. Some people experienced effects similar to epilepsy, such as heart palpitations, high blood pressure, and episodes where they lost consciousness.”

But this mother’s story is not unique. In California, the numbers are increasingly alarming, with six deaths recently reported in Los Angeles County. Supervisor Chavez warns about the effects of kratom and the risk of possible overdose when consuming certain products.

“When a person overdoses on kratom, it is very similar to a drug overdose. So, that’s why we also wanted to make that regulation, so that people are also aware and take more personal responsibility.”

It should be noted that these rules are not the same everywhere, as the City of Fresno decided to take a different path than Fresno County, completely banning the sale of kratom in the area it governs.

Many thanks to Daniela Rodríguez, intern at UC Berkeley and reporter for Radio Bilingüe, for this report.

This dispatch is part of the series “Closing the Gap,” funded in part by The Sierra Health Foundation.

That brings us to the end of this news service. I’m Citlali Sáenz. Take care, and we’ll hear you tomorrow.