Yolo County Calls for Stricter Kratom Regulations

Supervisors address dangers of psychoactive herb linked to local deaths

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:34am

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A minimalist design in the style of Keith Haring, where the outline of a kratom leaf is defined entirely by glowing, vibrant neon lines against a deep, dark background, emphasizing the leaf's shape and the energy of the substance.Yolo County officials aim to curb the spread of the psychoactive herb kratom through stricter local regulations.Yolo Today

Yolo County supervisors discussed the dangers of kratom, a psychoactive herb that has been linked to seven deaths in the county since 2017. Despite kratom being illegal to sell in California, officials noted it is still widely available at smoke shops and convenience stores. The county's public health officer stressed the importance of working with state agencies to enforce laws against kratom sales, but acknowledged the limitations of such efforts due to the herb's availability online.

Why it matters

Kratom is a legal substance that has been growing in popularity, but its use has been linked to serious health risks and even deaths in Yolo County. The county is now looking to take stronger regulatory action to address the issue and protect public health.

The details

During a presentation on Tuesday, Yolo County supervisors discussed the growing problem of kratom in the region. Kratom is a psychoactive herb that is legal to use but illegal to sell in California. Despite this, officials noted that kratom is often sold at local smoke shops and convenience stores. The county's public health officer, Dr. Aimee Sisson, stressed the importance of working with state agencies to enforce laws against kratom sales, but acknowledged the limitations of such efforts due to the herb's widespread availability online.

  • Since 2017, kratom has been linked to seven deaths in Yolo County.
  • The Yolo County Board of Supervisors discussed the kratom issue during a presentation on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.

The players

Yolo County Board of Supervisors

The governing body of Yolo County, California that oversees local policies and regulations.

Dr. Aimee Sisson

The public health officer for Yolo County who presented on the dangers of kratom and the challenges of enforcement.

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What they’re saying

“Kratom is still widely available on the internet, so even if we were 100% possible to get it off the shelves, it would still be available over the internet.”

— Dr. Aimee Sisson, Yolo County Public Health Officer

What’s next

After the presentation, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors urged the health department to amend the county's tobacco ordinance to include kratom in its regulations.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges local governments face in regulating emerging substances like kratom, which remain widely available online despite efforts to restrict their sale in physical stores. Yolo County is taking proactive steps to address the public health risks posed by kratom, but enforcing such regulations will require coordination with state agencies and a comprehensive approach to limit access.