VENTURA, Calif. — On Tuesday, Aug. 12, Ventura County Behavioral Health briefed the Board of Supervisors on an emerging public health threat: kratom, an unregulated substance increasingly linked to overdoses and deaths in the county. The update was led by Dr. Tipu Khan of the Ventura County Medical Center’s Addiction Medicine program, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Christopher Young, Ventura County Behavioral Health’s Substance Use Services Medical Director Dr. Joseph Vlaskovits, and Public Health Officer Dr. Uldine Castel.
Kratom, made from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree found in Asia, acts as a stimulant in low doses and as a sedative in higher doses. In the United States, it is rarely consumed in its natural form. Instead, kratom is typically processed, refined, and often mixed with other additives. These alterations, especially when combined with other drugs, can increase the risk of serious or fatal side effects of mitragynine, the psychoactive compound found in kratom.
“Manufacturers are targeting younger populations, using similar marketing tactics as what we’ve seen with tobacco products,” stated Dr. Tipu Khan, Chief of Addiction Medicine for VCMC. “Consumers really should be aware of what can happen with kratom, and the risks associated with the unpredictability of doses available on the market. What you don’t know can kill you.”
Kratom products are commonly sold online and in smoke shops, convenience stores, grocery stores, and gas stations, most often such as capsules, powders, or liquids. Products are often packaged in brightly designed packaging that appeals to youth. The potency of the products sold can vary dramatically ranging from 20 milligrams to 500 milligrams. Additionally, product labeling often does not display the word “kratom” at all, listing only “mitragynine”. This lack of labeling and the public’s unfamiliarity with mitragynine makes it difficult for consumers to know what they are buying or how much of the substance they are taking.
The presentation from medical leadership emphasized four core risks: unpredictability due to lack of federal regulation, addiction potential with higher regular use, overdose (especially when combined with alcohol, fentanyl, opioids or benzodiazepines), and death. Variations from product to product or batch to batch can be significant, making accidental overdose more likely. Kratom acts as an atypical opioid, with similar risks to other opioids, including addiction and central nervous system depression. Withdrawal symptoms in individuals can mirror other opioids, and naloxone can reverse opioid‑driven symptoms of kratom overdose.
“We have a responsibility to protect our residents from the dangers of unregulated substances like kratom,” stated 4th District Supervisor Janice Parvin, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “By considering a local ordinance, we can explore how to keep these products out of the hands of youth and ensure local consumers know exactly what they’re buying. This is a proactive step toward safeguarding public health and preventing future harm in our community.”
Presenters explained that some states and cities have already restricted or banned sales, and others are considering action. At the local level, options identified for regulation ranged from complete prohibition—already enacted in Newport Beach, Oceanside and the City of San Diego—to other regulatory tools such as setting age limits, establishing labeling standards, enforcement measures and retailer licensing consequences.
“Community members should know that these are not standardized products with no labeling requirements, age restrictions or warnings,” said Dr. Christopher Young, Ventura County Chief Medical Examiner. “We are increasingly finding mitragynine in toxicology results for decedents. Since 2018 it has contributed to 46 fatal overdoses here in Ventura County.”
Due to the serious nature regarding harm that can be caused by unregulated kratom products, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors requested that an ordinance be brought forth for consideration at a future meeting regarding possible protections for the public.
For more information on kratom and its potential dangers, please visit: coast.venturacounty.gov/prescribers-care/kratom
