FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 2026
Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@ocgov.com
OC Vice Chair Katrina Foley Releases Statement Supporting Dana Point Kratom Ordinance
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA – Yesterday, the Dana Point City Council voted unanimously to give first reading to an ordinance to ban retail sale of Kratom within the city. In August 2025, the Orange County Board approved an ordinance banning the sale, distribution, and possession of synthetic Kratom products in unincorporated Orange County, becoming the first county in California to address this issue.
In response to the Dana Point City Council’s first reading, Supervisor Foley released the following statement of support.
“We continue witnessing targeted Kratom marketing towards people in sobriety, suggesting it will aid their recovery as a natural alternative. It is not safe. Kratom bars operate openly throughout Southern California, and even gas stations offer mind-altering substances under the guise of legality, without regulation or medical oversight,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “We know from the similar work we’ve done on our countywide NOX ordinance that because Kratom is a new drug, available data fails to fully capture the prevalence of Kratom or the magnitude of harm it inflicts on our communities. I continue encouraging cities in my district to adopt our model ordinances to help us close the loopholes that allow these unsafe products sold in our community.”
Six states banned the sale of Kratom, along with cities in District Five, including Newport Beach and Laguna Niguel. Residents in need of support can call the OC Links 24-hour hotline at 855-625-4657. To report illegal kratom or nitrous oxide sales, contact the County at 714-834-3550.
To inquire about Vice Chair Foley’s media availability, please contact Latisha Townsend at (714) 559-8364.
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Vice Chair Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Vice Chair Foley’s 2026 Board appointments include:
Coastal Greenbelt Authority
National Association of Counties (NACO),
Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees,
OC Public Libraries Advisory Board,
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee,
Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust,
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA),
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA),
Transportation Corridor Agency - Foothill/Eastern,
Transportation Corridor Agency - San Joaquin Hills,
Urban Counties Caucus
