Ontario, California City Council Votes 4-0 to Ban Kratom Sales Alongside Flavored Tobacco and Nitrous Oxide

Why it matters

Ontario's unanimous vote illustrates how California's kratom crackdown is cascading to the city level, with local governments enacting independent bans even as state legislation remains pending in Sacramento.

The big picture

California cities including Anaheim, Oceanside, Jurupa Valley, Newport Beach, and San Diego have already enacted local kratom restrictions alongside county-level bans in Los Angeles and Riverside. Ontario's ordinance, which takes effect April 17, is part of a Southern California regional trend that gives local authorities immediate enforcement power regardless of how state-level legislation proceeds.

Key findings

• Ontario City Council voted 4-0 to pass an ordinance banning kratom, flavored tobacco, and nitrous oxide sales in the city
• The ordinance takes effect April 17, 2026, following a second reading on March 17
• Police cited a local increase in overdoses tied to kratom and nitrous oxide use
• Mayor Paul Leon, a former drug counselor, drew parallels between kratom marketing and candy-flavored tobacco products targeting young people
• The ordinance also restricts the sale of glass oil burners used to inhale vaporized concentrates

What they say

"Kratom is a synthetic opioid similar to heroin and morphine. The problem is that it is very unregulated." — Ontario Police Capt. Josh Ritchey at the City Council meeting

Bottom line

Ontario, California unanimously banned kratom sales effective April 17, joining a growing list of Southern California cities taking local action against the substance ahead of state legislation.