California Sues Krave Kratom Maker for Defying State Embargo; CDPH Has Seized Over $5 Million in Products

Why it matters

California's aggressive enforcement action demonstrates the emerging legal risk for kratom manufacturers who continue to operate in states with bans, and signals a national trend of state health agencies escalating from warnings to litigation.

The big picture

California banned kratom-derived products and 7-OH in 2025 under its Sherman Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which treats them as adulterated food products. Since then, CDPH has conducted statewide enforcement operations. Six overdose deaths in Los Angeles County were linked to kratom and 7-OH products. The suit against Krave — one of the most prominent kratom brands — marks one of the first major court actions against an established kratom retailer by a state health agency.

Key findings

• CDPH and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed suit against Ashlynn Marketing Group (Krave Kratom) in San Diego County Superior Court on May 1, 2026\nThe company continued manufacturing and shipping kratom products weekly despite a CDPH embargo issued in May 2025\nFollow-up inspections in October 2025 and April 2026 found embargoed products had been moved, tampered with, and repackaged\nThe state is seeking a court order to halt all manufacturing, condemn and destroy embargoed goods, and impose civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day per violation\nCDPH has seized more than $5 million in kratom and 7-OH products statewide since enforcement began\nSix kratom-linked overdose deaths were reported in Los Angeles County alone

What they say

"CDPH is pursuing legal action because Ashlynn's continued manufacture and sale of these products pose a clear and preventable public-health risk and violates state and federal law," said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan. "7-OH and kratom-derived products have been associated with addiction, serious health harms, overdose and death."

Bottom line

California has taken its kratom enforcement to court, suing Krave Kratom for defying a state embargo — the most aggressive legal action yet against an established kratom brand and a warning to the broader industry.