Brief

Councilmember Heather Hutt, seconded by Imelda Padilla, introduced a motion on June 5, 2026 addressing sales regulation of phentermine under AB 1088 (Bains). The motion is currently referred to the Public Safety Committee and remains pending. Details of the specific regulatory approach or directives are not yet available from the formal record.

Full summary

Councilmember Heather Hutt introduced this motion on June 5, 2026, targeting phenibut, a synthetic central nervous system depressant originally developed in the Soviet Union that is currently sold without federal regulation as a dietary supplement at gas stations, smoke shops, and convenience stores throughout Los Angeles. The motion describes phenibut as acting similarly to prescription benzodiazepines like Valium or Xanax, carrying significant risks of addiction and severe withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, insomnia, aggression, and acute psychosis. The motion notes that phenibut is frequently marketed to adolescents and has already been classified as a controlled substance in several countries and in the State of Utah. The motion asks the City Attorney to assess the feasibility of a local ordinance that would accomplish four things: limit phenibut sales to customers 21 years of age or older; require warning labels on phenibut products sold in the city outlining associated health risks; prohibit the sale of phenibut products within 1,000 feet of any preschool, daycare, or public or private K-12 school; and include civil penalties for violations modeled after those established in AB 1088 (Bains), a California law that similarly regulated the sale of kratom products statewide. The motion uses the kratom regulatory framework as a direct template, suggesting the Council sees phenibut as presenting a comparable public health threat and wants enforcement mechanisms of similar strength. The City Attorney would not be drafting an ordinance outright but rather reporting on whether and how such an ordinance could be enacted under existing city authority. The motion was referred to the Public Safety Committee on the day it was introduced and has not yet received a committee hearing. The file remains open and does not expire until June 5, 2028.

Activity (1)

• 2026-06-05 Motion referred to Public Safety Committee.

Documents (1)

• 2026-06-05 Motion · motion