College Students Uncover Dangerous Substances in Shops

College pre-med students, in collaboration with Youth Forward, discovered prohibited intoxicating products being sold at over half of the Sacramento smoke shops they surveyed this summer. Their undercover investigation of 16 businesses revealed that nine shops offered at least one of the substances they were searching for, including kratom, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), magic mushrooms, and nitrous oxide.

The research team expressed shock at their findings, describing the current regulatory environment as "the wild west." They presented their 13-page report to the Sacramento City Council, emphasizing their goal to reduce harm from addiction and overdose. The substances identified pose serious health risks, with potential for brain damage, death, and other complications, especially with improper or repeated use.

Concerns are amplified by the proximity of some of these establishments to schools. Youth Forward Executive Director Tasha Johnson noted that certain businesses are located directly across the street from educational institutions, raising alarms about underage access. While one identified business, Royal Smokey, stated that prohibited products were removed last month, the students believe their findings indicate a significant enforcement gap within Sacramento.