Santa Barbara County Issues Stark Warning Against Kratom Consumption, Citing Overdose Deaths

Santa Barbara County Issues Stark Warning Against Kratom Consumption, Citing Overdose Deaths

SANTA MARIA, CA – February 7, 2026 – The Santa Barbara County Health Department and Sheriff's Office have issued a public advisory, urging residents to avoid consuming products containing Kratom or 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) due to significant health risks, including addiction, overdose, and death. The warning comes after the county reported two fatal overdoses in 2025 linked to Kratom.

What Happened

Local authorities in Santa Barbara County are actively advising against the use of any products containing Kratom or its potent alkaloid, 7-OH, whether marketed as foods, dietary supplements, beverages, or medicinal items. According to Dr. Henning Ansorg, the county health officer, these substances, sometimes deceptively marketed as "wellness products," pose severe public health risks, with fatal overdoses being a serious concern. He unequivocally stated that the safest course of action is to avoid them entirely. The advisory highlights that despite being illegal to sell or manufacture in California, and not approved for marketing as food, dietary supplements, or medical drugs, Kratom and 7-OH products are still found in gas stations, smoke shops, online, and other retail outlets.

Why It Matters to Kratom Merchants and Consumers

For consumers in Santa Barbara County and across California, this advisory is a critical warning about the inherent dangers and illegal status of these products. It underscores the potential for severe health consequences, including addiction, overdose, and death, particularly when products contain the highly potent, opioid-like substance 7-OH.

For kratom merchants, especially those operating in California, this news signifies heightened scrutiny and potential enforcement. The warning explicitly states that Kratom and 7-OH products are illegal to sell or manufacture in the state. This means that any merchant found selling these products faces serious repercussions. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has previously indicated that inspectors would "red-tag" or impound illegal products, with non-compliance potentially leading to product destruction, fines, and other penalties. This aggressive stance from local health and law enforcement agencies should serve as a clear indicator of the risks involved in selling these unapproved and illegal substances.

Compliance Implications

The primary compliance implication for merchants in California is straightforward: the sale or manufacture of Kratom and 7-OH products is illegal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also maintains that these products are not lawfully marketed in the U.S. as drug products, dietary supplements, or approved food additives. This local warning, combined with the FDA's national stance, creates a high-risk environment for any business involved in the kratom trade within California. Merchants should expect increased inspections and strict enforcement actions from local authorities.

What High-Risk Merchants Need to Know About COAs, Lab Testing, and Regulatory Compliance

For high-risk merchants, especially those operating in jurisdictions where kratom is not explicitly banned but remains unregulated, this incident underscores several critical points regarding product safety and compliance:

1. Know Your Local Laws: The Santa Barbara County warning is a stark reminder that local regulations can vary significantly. Merchants must stay abreast of all state, county, and municipal laws concerning kratom. Operating in a gray area or an explicitly banned region carries severe legal and financial risks.
2. The Criticality of COAs and Lab Testing: Even where kratom sales are permitted, robust Certificates of Analysis (COAs) from accredited third-party laboratories are non-negotiable. These COAs must verify product identity, test for contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides, microbial impurities), and accurately quantify alkaloid content, specifically mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. The heightened concern around 7-OH's potency means merchants must ensure their products are thoroughly tested for this compound and that its levels, if present, are clearly disclosed and fall within any proposed safety limits (such as the 1% of total alkaloids debated in California's shelved AB 2365).
3. Beware of Adulteration and Synthetic Compounds: The focus on 7-OH in recent overdose reports, particularly synthetic versions, highlights the danger of adulterated products. High-risk merchants must have an ironclad supply chain to prevent the introduction of synthetic alkaloids or unknown, dangerous additives.
4. Truthful Labeling and Marketing: Avoid making unsubstantiated health claims or marketing kratom as a "natural remedy" when its regulatory status is precarious and health risks are cited by public health officials. Accurate and transparent labeling, along with appropriate age restrictions, are paramount for consumer safety and minimizing legal exposure.
5. Lack of Federal Regulation: The absence of federal regulation from the FDA means that the industry largely operates without standardized safety protocols, making the burden of due diligence fall squarely on the merchant. This vacuum often leads to piecemeal local bans and warnings, creating an unpredictable and high-risk environment.

In conclusion, the Santa Barbara County advisory is a clear signal of continued local government concern and potential enforcement actions against kratom products, particularly those containing 7-OH. For all kratom merchants, proactive and rigorous compliance, coupled with a deep understanding of product chemistry and local regulations, is essential to navigate this challenging landscape.