Is Kratom Legal in California?
Complete guide to kratom laws, regulations, and where to buy in California.
ℹ️ Last updated: March 27, 2026. California kratom law is changing rapidly — always verify with local authorities.
📋 Table of Contents
🏛️ Active Kratom Legislation in California
✅ No active kratom legislation tracked in California this session. We monitor every kratom-related bill filed in all 51 U.S. jurisdictions daily. If a new bill is introduced, it will appear here automatically.
📬 Get an email if California's kratom laws change. Free alerts when a bill moves. No marketing — just policy.
We email you only when California kratom legislation moves. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy.
California Kratom Laws: The Full Picture
California’s approach to kratom is unlike any other state. Kratom’s primary alkaloids — mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine — are not listed as controlled substances under the California Health & Safety Code. This means possession of kratom is not a criminal offense.
However, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has taken an increasingly aggressive enforcement stance, arguing that kratom products marketed for human consumption — as food, dietary supplements, or beverages — violate existing California food and drug safety regulations. This distinction is crucial: it’s not a ban on the plant itself, but an enforcement action against selling kratom as a consumable product.
California has not passed a Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), unlike states such as Florida, Georgia, and Nevada. The absence of KCPA legislation has left the market in a regulatory gray area that the state is now actively filling through enforcement.
2026 CDPH Enforcement Campaign
Key details of the enforcement campaign:
- CDPH position: Foods, dietary supplements, and drugs containing kratom or 7-OH are illegal to sell or manufacture in California under existing state and federal food safety regulations
- ABC coordination: The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is specifically targeting businesses with alcohol licenses that also carry kratom
- Consumer complaint hotline: CDPH established a hotline at (800) 495-3232 for consumers to report kratom products sold for consumption
- 7-OH focus: Enforcement has particularly targeted products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), which regulators consider more potent and risky
- Education-first approach: California is using an “education first, enforcement where necessary” model similar to their approach with unregulated hemp products
What this means for consumers: Retail kratom products are rapidly disappearing from California store shelves. While possession for personal use has not been criminalized, buying kratom at brick-and-mortar retailers in California is becoming increasingly difficult. Online purchasing remains a different legal question — see below.
Cities with Local Kratom Bans
In addition to the statewide enforcement campaign, several California cities have enacted their own bans:
| City / Area | Status | Population | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | ❌ Banned | 1.4M+ | Full ban on retail kratom sales since 2016 |
| Oceanside | ❌ Banned | 176K+ | Comprehensive ban enacted |
| Newport Beach | ❌ Banned | 85K+ | Restrictions enacted May 2024 |
| LA County (unincorporated) | ⚠️ Enforcement | 1M+ | Enforcement orders issued; some restrictions |
Areas Where Kratom Remains Available (for now)
- Los Angeles (city proper) — though retail availability is shrinking due to CDPH campaign
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Sacramento
- Fresno
- Most of Orange County (outside Newport Beach)
- Riverside County
- Most Northern California communities
Note: Even in areas without local bans, the statewide CDPH enforcement campaign is reducing retail availability across California.
AB 1088: The Bill to Watch
Assembly Bill 1088 is the most significant kratom-specific legislation under consideration in California during the 2025-2026 legislative session.
- Status: Passed the Assembly; currently under review by the Senate Health Committee
- What it does: Would add kratom-specific regulations to California’s health and safety codes
- Approach: Focused on age limits, product testing, and restrictions on 7-OH — not an outright ban
- Enforcement: If passed, CDPH would be responsible for implementation
The American Kratom Association (AKA) and kratom advocacy organizations support reasonable, evidence-based regulation that protects consumers while preserving access to natural kratom products.
Online Ordering to California
The current CDPH enforcement campaign primarily targets brick-and-mortar retail locations. Online ordering exists in a different regulatory space. Amazing Botanicals ships lab-tested kratom products to California addresses where legal. Benefits of ordering online include:
- Full strain selection — see our strain comparison chart
- Lab-tested products with Certificates of Analysis (COAs)
- Better pricing than most California retail locations
- Discreet, fast shipping
Popular Products for California Customers
- Kratom Capsules — 600mg gelatin capsules, convenient and pre-measured
- Kratom Powder — great for brewing kratom tea
- Kratom Extracts — concentrated options for experienced users
Where Kratom Remains Available
Despite the enforcement campaign, kratom remains available in most of California — particularly through online retailers. The CDPH’s position targets products sold for consumption at retail, and enforcement is primarily focused on businesses with licenses (especially alcohol licenses) that also carry kratom products.
For guaranteed quality and legal compliance, buy kratom online from a lab-tested vendor ensures every product is third-party tested by an ISO-accredited laboratory.
New to Kratom in California?
Start with our dosage guide and explore our strain comparison chart to find the right product. Many first-time customers begin with capsules for precise, measured servings. Check out our sample options to try before committing to larger quantities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kratom in California
It’s complicated. Kratom is not a controlled substance in California, so possession is not a crime. However, CDPH has taken the position that selling kratom products for human consumption violates existing food and drug laws. As of March 2026, 95% of retailers have removed kratom from shelves following an enforcement campaign. Several cities (San Diego, Oceanside, Newport Beach) have enacted their own local bans.
Yes. The City of San Diego has banned the retail sale of kratom within city limits since 2016. Surrounding areas in San Diego County (unincorporated) are not affected by the local ordinance.
The current enforcement campaign primarily targets brick-and-mortar retail locations. Online ordering has not been the focus of CDPH enforcement actions to date. Amazing Botanicals ships lab-tested kratom to California addresses.
There is no local kratom ban in the City of Los Angeles. However, LA County’s unincorporated areas have seen enforcement orders, and the statewide CDPH campaign is reducing retail availability across the greater LA area.
Assembly Bill 1088 is California legislation that would add kratom-specific regulations including age limits and restrictions on 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). It passed the Assembly and is currently in the Senate Health Committee. It takes a regulatory approach rather than an outright ban.
There is no local kratom ban in San Francisco or the Bay Area. However, the statewide CDPH enforcement campaign may affect retail availability in San Francisco shops.
As of March 2026, the City of San Diego, Oceanside, and Newport Beach have enacted local bans on kratom sales. LA County (unincorporated areas) has issued enforcement orders with varying restrictions.
Shop Lab-Tested Kratom — Shipped to California
Premium kratom powder, capsules, and extracts with third-party COAs. Fast shipping to California addresses.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Kratom is not approved by the FDA for any wellness use. Laws and enforcement can change rapidly — always verify current local, state, and federal regulations before purchasing or traveling with kratom. Last updated: March 27, 2026.