LA County Bans Kratom Sales, Leaving Some Residents Struggling

Residents who relied on kratom for chronic pain and opioid withdrawal now face challenges accessing the substance.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Los Angeles County banned the sale of kratom and 7-OH, a synthetic version of the drug, in November 2025 following overdose deaths. However, experts question whether the drugs alone caused the fatalities. Residents who had been using kratom to manage chronic pain and opioid withdrawal are now struggling to access the substance, turning to online orders and black markets. The crackdown highlights the divisions between health officials seeking to prevent deaths and users viewing kratom as an affordable alternative to prescription painkillers.

Why it matters

The ban on kratom sales in LA County has significantly impacted residents who relied on the substance to manage chronic pain and opioid withdrawal symptoms. This raises concerns about access to affordable and potentially safer alternatives to prescription opioids, as well as the broader debate around regulating kratom and similar substances.

The details

In November 2025, Los Angeles County banned the sale of kratom and 7-OH, a synthetic version of the drug, following reported overdose deaths. However, experts say the evidence is unclear on whether the drugs alone caused the fatalities. Residents who had been using kratom to manage chronic pain and opioid withdrawal are now struggling to access the substance, turning to online orders and black markets. The crackdown has highlighted the divisions between health officials seeking to prevent deaths and users who view kratom as an affordable alternative to prescription painkillers.

  • In November 2025, LA County banned the sale of kratom and 7-OH.
  • Since the beginning of 2026, the state of California has removed over 3,300 kratom and 7-OH products from retail stores.

The players

Los Angeles County

The county government that banned the sale of kratom and 7-OH in November 2025.

Robert Wallace

A resident of Los Angeles who used kratom to manage chronic pain and opioid withdrawal symptoms after decades of relying on prescription painkillers.

Ari Agalopol

A pianist and piano teacher in Los Angeles who turned to kratom to manage severe spinal and knee injuries after traditional treatments and prescription opioids failed to provide relief.

Jackie Subeck

The executive director of the 7-Hope Alliance, a nonprofit that promotes safe and responsible access to 7-OH for consumers.

Gavin Newsom

The governor of California, who announced the state's efforts to crack down on kratom and 7-OH products, resulting in the removal of over 3,300 products from retail stores.

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What they’re saying

“Kratom has impacted my life in only positive ways.”

— Robert Wallace (The Times)

“They're just taking these actions because of public pressure, and public pressure is happening because of ignorance.”

— Ari Agalopol (The Times)

“Prohibition is not a public health strategy. [It's] only going to make things worse, likely resulting in an entirely new health crisis for Californians.”

— Jackie Subeck, Executive Director, 7-Hope Alliance (The Times)

What’s next

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is still considering whether to regulate kratom or ban it altogether.

The takeaway

The LA County ban on kratom sales highlights the ongoing debate around regulating substances like kratom, which some users view as a safer and more affordable alternative to prescription opioids, but which health officials are concerned may pose risks. The crackdown has left some residents struggling to access a substance they say has been life-changing, raising questions about balancing public health concerns and individual access to alternative treatments.