Prohibiting the sale and distribution of kratom products.
Riverside Municipal Code § 9.04.235
in effect9.04.235 - Prohibiting the sale and distribution of kratom products.
A. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
1. 7-OH product means a product containing hydroxymitragynine.
2. Kratom leaf means the leaf of the kratom plant, also known as mitragyna speciosa, any form.
3. Kratom leaf extract means the material obtained by extraction of kratom leaves by any means.
4. Kratom product means a product consisting of kratom leaf, kratom leaf extract, or both; any part of a leaf of the plant mitragyna speciosa in fresh, dehydrated or dried form or a kratom extract or any product that contains any kratom alkaloid or metabolite.
5. Total kratom alkaloids means the sum of mitragynine, speciociliatine, speciogynine, paynantheine, and 7-OH in a kratom product.
6. Synthesized means an alkaloid or alkaloid derivative that has been created by chemical synthesis or biosynthetic means (including but not limited to: fermentation, recombinant techniques, yeast derived enzymatic techniques) rather than traditional food preparation techniques such as heating or extracting. It also includes alkaloids that have been further exposed to chemicals or processes that would confer a structural change in the alkaloids contained within the extract.
B. Prohibition on sale and distribution of kratom and 7-OH products.
1. Except as otherwise authorized by law, an individual, business, or other entity shall not sell, attempt to sell, offer, provide, or distribute a kratom product or 7-OH product to any person.
C. Violations and penalties.
1. Any person who violates this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof may be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not more than six months or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day any violation of any said provision of this chapter shall continue shall constitute a separate offense.
2. Alternatively, violations may be addressed by administrative citations as set forth in RMC Chapter 1.17 (Administrative Code Enforcement Remedies), Sections 200-430, Title 1 of this Code.
3. A violation of this section is grounds for revocation of a Tobacco Retail Establishment Permit pursuant to RMC Chapter 6.24, Title 6 of this Code.
4. Use of criminal enforcement and/or administrative citations shall not prevent or preclude the City from seeking injunctive relief and civil penalties in court for violation of this article. This section shall not serve to limit any other legal remedies or actions that the City may have to address violations of this section.
(Ord. No. 7765, § 3, 4-21-2026)
Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT9PESAMO_CH9.04OF_9.04.235PRSADIKRPRFetched: 11/1/2026