The natural leaf, when dried, can be taken in low doses to boost energy \u2014 a similar effect to caffeine.<\/p>\n
However, a component of the leaf known as 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, has an opioid-like effect when taken in larger quantities. 7-OH is a highly-concentrated, synthetic component of the kratom leaf that can lead to addiction or overdose, according to the OC Health Care Agency<\/a>.<\/p>\n Leaders in Los Alamitos voted unanimously to restrict kratom distribution and advertisement in the city, including prohibiting the sale of any kratom productions to people under 21 years old and prohibiting the sale of all 7-OH kratom products \u2014 the synthetic version.<\/p>\n The vote also bans the marketing of kratom toward children.<\/p>\n [Read: More Orange County Cities Eye Kratom Bans<\/a>]<\/p>\n Editors\u2019 Note: This dispatch is part of the Voice of OC Collegiate News Service<\/a>, working with student journalists to cover public policy issues across Orange County. If you would like to submit your own student media project related to Orange County civics or if you have any response to this work, contact admin@voiceofoc.org.<\/p>\n The decision came after community members expressed frustration with a previously proposed outright ban on all kratom products, including a member of the city council, arguing the importance of kratom access.<\/p>\n Councilmember Jordan Nefulda stated that he uses kratom to soothe his arthritis and knows people in the community who \u2014 like him \u2014 rely on it for pain relief.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t even play catch without taking something,\u201d Nefulda said during a city council meeting in February.\u00a0<\/p>\n He noted that many critics of kratom dismiss its effectiveness for self-treating chronic pain.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhether it\u2019s in our minds or not, I think this product works, and I\u2019d hate for us to ban it outright,\u201d Nefulda said.\u00a0<\/p>\n He also pointed out that the city \u201c[doesn\u2019t] even know if it\u2019s being sold or if it\u2019s a problem here\u201d and added that \u201cgood people get screwed because there are bad people doing stupid things, and I hate to see that with a product like this.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2021, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported<\/a> that 1.7 million Americans aged 12 and older used kratom that year. In light of its popularity, the FDA said<\/a> that users of the stimulant can develop an addiction and side effects like anorexia, seizures and hallucinations mirroring opioids.<\/p>\n On Feb. 9, Los Alamitos leaders introduced plans to completely ban the distribution of products containing kratom and 7-OH despite protests of its alleged healing benefits among older members of the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n City leaders returned with modified restrictions during their March 23 meeting that is consistent with county law allowing the purchase and sale of kratom for people over the age of 21, but bans 7-OH or any derivatives that don\u2019t contain the natural leaf.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Ed Arthur, a resident of Los Alamitos, said he uses kratom daily.\u00a0<\/p>\n The 78-year-old retired woodworker credits kratom for his ability to work with his bad back relatively pain-free, allowing him to push his retirement three years.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI see that they\u2019re taking something that\u2019s very beneficial to people my age, older, younger and around the world,\u201d Arthur said at the Feb. 9 city council meeting.<\/p>\n Los Alamitos has a population of 13.7%<\/a> of residents aged 65 or older, with a median household income of $75,000 per year.<\/p>\n Arthur\u2019s concern was that the city would issue a blanket ban on kratom. He said he wanted council members to consider the benefits it brings to community members.<\/p>\n Within Los Angeles County, there have been six deaths<\/a> due to overdosing on 7-OH in the last year. Despite the risks of kratom use, with its new popularity, there is limited research on its long-term effects.\u00a0<\/p>\n Los Alamitos has focused on outlining the difference between the natural kratom leaf and the 7-OH, which contains the most addictive opioid-like qualities.\u00a0<\/p>\n Councilmember Shelley Hasselbrink also voiced concerns brought up by both Nefulda and Arthur.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201c7-OH is the problem,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s the thing that the kids are buying \u2026 That\u2019s how we\u2019re losing lives.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775748730_425_VOCCNS-140x140.png\")
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