Kratom ordinance

Flew in for the Global Kratom Coalition, urging the city to distinguish natural leaf kratom from dangerous synthetic 7-OH and regulate rather than ban, noting imminent federal 7-OH scheduling.

Argued prohibition fails as policy, noting most kratom deaths involve multiple substances and urging age limits, testing and labeling instead.

A blue-collar tradesman with chronic pain, urged rejection of the ban in favor of AB 1088-style regulation.

Born-and-raised Venturan who said bans push purchases elsewhere and urged waiting for the statewide AB 1088 solution.

Noted Fresno, Orange and Riverside counties regulate rather than ban, and that AB 1088 passed the Assembly 76-0; urged tabling the item.

A chronic pain patient with transverse myelitis, credited natural kratom with restoring her quality of life and asked for regulation of 7-OH rather than a full ban.

Calling from Michigan at 1 a.m., a 12-year kratom consumer said federal scheduling of 7-OH is imminent and pleaded against banning natural kratom.

A chronic pain patient with advanced heart failure, argued the ordinance mislabels vulnerable populations and criticized the staff report for omitting AB 1088's status.

A 15-year kratom consumer with chronic insomnia, supported 21+ age limits and licensed retailers instead of prohibition.

A healthcare worker and CNA, said natural kratom was a miracle for her chronic back pain and urged banning synthetic 7-OH while keeping natural leaf legal.

A lifelong resident who argued this is a national problem costing local money on enforcement, prosecution and courts, and the city should focus on local issues.

With the California Narcotic Officers Association, supported the ban on synthetic 7-OH and regulation of natural leaf, citing dozens of ordinances passed statewide.