The Governor’s office announced California is stepping up enforcement against intoxicating hemp products, kratom-derived substances and illicit cannabis that are packaged or marketed to look like ordinary consumer goods.
Governor said, "Bad actors can dress up an illegal product however they want, but a clever label or candy-colored package doesn’t make it legal. We’re cracking down on dangerous products that put our kids and communities at risk. This Halloween, if you’re breaking the law, there is no hiding behind a costume."
The press release cites Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control tallies for intoxicating hemp enforcement; ABC reported 24,590 visits, 7,403 products removed from shelves and a 99.36% compliance rate among licensees.
The release says the Legislature and administration have closed legal gaps as well; it notes Assembly Bill 8 (), enacted in 2025, applies the same rules to intoxicating hemp that apply to cannabis.
On kratom-derived substances the California Department of Public Health said these products can contain potent, sometimes deadly compounds and should not be treated as safe supplements; CDPH Director Dr. urged Californians to avoid using 7-OH and kratom-related products.
The release reports CDPH has embargoed or destroyed about $10 million worth of kratom and 7-OH products; ABC reported 9,209 visits related to these products, 8,230 items removed from shelves and a 97.97% compliance rate among visited locations.
For illicit cannabis the Governor’s office credited the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force, created in 2022; the release lists $1.47+ billion in estimated illicit cannabis seized or destroyed, 896,514 pounds seized or destroyed and 1,441,826 plants eradicated.
The release also says the state recently strengthened legal protections for the legal market by signing AB 2249, authored by Assemblymember , to limit packaging, labeling and marketing that may appeal to children, including cartoon imagery and packaging that mimics products marketed to kids; the release says the move is intended to protect youth and licensed businesses that follow the rules.
State
Gavin Newsom
Governor · Democrat
Named once in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
State
Cecilia M. Aguiar-Curry
State Assembly Member · Democrat
Named once in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
State
Erica Pan
Director and State Public Health Officer, California Department of Public Health
Named once in this story.
State
Jacqui Irwin
State Assembly Member · Democrat
Named once in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
Sources & methodology
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