Governor Newsom Announces Removal of 15,300 Illegal Hemp and Kratom Products from California Shelves
Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the removal of nearly 15,300 illegal hemp, kratom, and 7-OH products from California store shelves. This action is part of California's ongoing efforts to strengthen safeguards around intoxicating products, close regulatory loopholes, and ensure that products sold in the state comply with state laws. The enforcement drive has resulted in high compliance rates among Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licensees, with 99.33% adhering to laws against illegal hemp product sales and 97.75% complying with regulations against selling kratom and 7-OH items. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has warned that kratom and 7-OH products are linked to serious health risks, including overdose, addiction, and other adverse health outcomes, and have not been tested or approved by the FDA. The state's approach involves working with retailers to achieve compliance, backed by targeted enforcement actions against non-compliant businesses. 
