Kratom public health risk and enforcement
Summary
Kratom has been linked to seven fatal overdoses in Yolo County since 2017 and is sold as a "health product" at smoke shops and gas stations. The board picked amending the tobacco retail license over a standalone ordinance — a 4-1 call with worries about adding work to stretched staff.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Nov 3, 2026.
Impact analysis
Minimal expected cost — adds kratom to existing tobacco retail license inspections.
Everyone, especially young people, protected from unregulated psychoactive products sold as supplements.
Retailers currently selling kratom would lose that product line.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Board of Supervisors — November 3, 2026
Kratom has been linked to seven fatal overdoses in Yolo County since 2017 and is sold as a "health product" at smoke shops and gas stations. The board picked amending the tobacco retail license over a standalone ordinance — a 4-1 call with worries about adding work to stretched staff.
Board of Supervisors — April 14, 2026
Kratom, an opioid-like substance, has been linked to seven deaths in Yolo County since 2017. A warning letter cut local retail availability from 26% to 5% of tobacco shops, but it remains available online. The board wants cost analysis before deciding whether to amend the tobacco retail ordinance to ban kratom sales locally.
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