HomeMy WebLinkAboutConsider Position on Pending Legislation - Support Support A 2000 Main Street,
�pNTagTo' Huntington Beach,CA
�. 92648
�� . City of Huntington Beach
oQ� APPROVED 7-0
Z441oUrTfltr
File #: 26-388 MEETING DATE: 5/5/2026
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Shannon Levin, Council Policy Analyst
Subiect:
Consider position on legislation pending before the State Legislature
Statement of Issue:
Assembly Bill 634 (Gonzalez, J.) would prohibit the manufacture, distribution, and offer for sale of
tianeptine.
Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
Support Assembly Bill 634: Tianeptine and issue a letter of support.
Alternative Action(aL
Do not approve recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
On April 20, 2026 the Intergovernmental Relations Committee voted to support AB 634 (Gonzalez, J):
Tianeptine. The context of the bill does not fall under the umbrella of the 2026 Legislative Platform,
and so it is presented to the City Council for consideration.
Tianeptine is an antidepressant drug approved for the treatment of major depressive disorders in
various countries within Europe, Asia, and Latin America. It is not approved for any use in the United
States according to the FDA.
Tianeptine, also known as "gas station heroin," is not approved by the FDA for medical use.
Tianeptine is considered an unsafe food additive, making its sale illegal in the U.S. The FDA has
taken actions on tianeptine including: issuing multiple consumer advisories and warnings about
products with tianeptine as being linked to serious harm, overdose, and death; issuing warning letters
to companies distributing and selling unlawful tianeptine products as dietary supplements and
unapproved drugs.
City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 2 Printed on 4/29/2026
powered by Legista 1940
File #: 26-388 MEETING DATE: 5/5/2026
Despite this, tianeptine continues to be sold in convenience stores and gas stations in both powder
and pill form claiming to treat conditions such as anxiety, depression, pain, and to enhance the users'
mood and cognitive function. Tianeptine can be obtained online from independent vendors without a
prescription.
According to the FDA, reports of severe side effects involving tianeptine are increasing. Poison
control center cases involving tianeptine exposure have increased nationwide, from 11 total cases
between 2000 and 2013 to 151 cases in 2020 alone. The FDA has identified cases in which people
experienced other serious harmful effects from abusing or misusing tianeptine by itself or with other
drugs, including antidepressants and antianxiety medicines. These effects included agitation,
drowsiness, confusion, sweating, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, slowed or
stopped breathing, coma, and death.
It is already illegal to market and sell tianeptine in California, and Department of Public Health
already has authority to address the illegal sale of tianeptine under existing law. This bill expressly
prohibits the manufacture, distribution, and offer for sale of tianeptine in this state and creates an
additional civil penalty structure.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will
not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Draft Support Letter -AB 634
City of Huntington Beach Page 2 of 2 Printed on 4/29/2026
powered by Legistz 1941
►tirlc, CITY OF
3 HUNTINGTON BEACH
i 9i fie:.. `` - —
\9�1t lam,
FioUltdly io,'� Casey McKeon Mayor
May 6, 2026
The Honorable Jeff Gonzalez
California State Assembly
1020 N Streel., Suite 4230
Sacramento, 0A 95814
RE:AB 634 (Gonzalez)—SUPPORT
Dear Assemb ymember Gonzalez:
On behalf of the City of Huntington Beach, I am writing to express our strong support for AB 634
(Gonzalez), which would prohibit the manufacture, distribution, and sale of products containing
tianeptine in California.
Tianeptine is an unapproved drug in the United States that has increasingly been sold in
convenience stores, smoke shops, and gas stations, often marketed as a dietary supplement
despite its pctent psychoactive effects. At high doses, it can produce opioid-like effects and
presents a significant risk of misuse, dependency, and serious public health consequences. The
availability of this substance through unregulated retail channels creates a growing concern for
local governments tasked with protecting community health and safety.
AB 634 takes a clear and necessary step by prohibiting the manufacture, distribution, and offer
for sale of tianeptine products in California, and by authorizing enforcement. These provisions will
help close an existing regulatory gap and provide the City with tools to address the proliferation
of these dangerous products in neighborhood retail settings.
The City of Huntington Beach is on the front lines of addressing substance misuse, emergency
response, anc community impacts associated with unregulated drugs. Allowing tianeptine to be
sold openly in retail environments undermines public safety efforts and places additional strain on
local law enforcement and public health resources. By removing these products from the
marketplace, AB 634 will help reduce exposure, particularly among youth, and prevent further
harm. For these reasons, the City of Huntington Beach offers our strong support.
Sincerely,
Casey McKeon, Mayor
City of Huntington Beach
Office: (714) 536-5237 I 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 I www.huntingtonbeachca goy