The Los Angeles City Council is taking aim at phenibut, a central nervous system depressant that has been sold over the counter in local shops, often without any age restrictions. The move comes after a high school student raised alarms about how easily teens can buy the substance, which is sometimes marketed as a “smart drug” or mental enhancer.
Councilmember Heather Hutt introduced the motion, which passed unanimously, calling for a ban on phenibut sales to anyone under 21. The proposal also includes requirements for clear labeling about the risks of dependency. “We can’t wait for another tragedy to act,” Hutt said in a statement. “Our kids are walking into corner stores and buying something that could alter their brain chemistry.”
From Soviet labs to LA store shelves
Phenibut was originally developed in the Soviet Union to treat anxiety and insomnia. It never received specific federal approval in the United States, which has allowed it to slip through regulatory cracks. Today, it’s often found in gas stations, smoke shops, and online marketplaces, where it’s sold as a supplement or nootropic.
The drug’s effects are similar to those of benzodiazepines or alcohol, and it can be highly addictive. Withdrawal can be severe, and there have been reports of seizures and other serious side effects. Yet because it’s not classified as a controlled substance at the federal level, enforcement has been spotty.
The Los Angeles initiative is part of a broader push to regulate unapproved substances that are widely available. The city has already taken steps to address other products, such as kratom, which has been linked to deaths in California. In 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law banning kratom sales to minors, and the state has been working on stricter regulations.
“This is about protecting young people from a silent addiction that’s spreading through our neighborhoods,” said Dr. Elena Ramirez, a pediatrician in East LA who has treated teens for substance use. “Parents don’t even know these products exist until it’s too late.”
The council’s motion also calls for a public awareness campaign to educate students and families about the dangers of phenibut. The city is working with school districts to distribute information and to encourage retailers to voluntarily remove the product from shelves before the law takes effect.
Not everyone is on board. Some supplement retailers argue that phenibut has legitimate uses and that banning it would push buyers to the black market. But supporters of the measure say the risks outweigh the benefits, especially for minors.
“We’re not talking about a regulated pharmaceutical,” said Councilmember Hutt. “We’re talking about a substance that has never been approved for human consumption in this country, and it’s sitting next to candy and energy drinks.”
The move has drawn attention beyond Los Angeles. Other cities, including New York, have recently cracked down on unregulated sales of e-bikes and scooters, but this is one of the first attempts to specifically target phenibut. If the ordinance passes, Los Angeles would be one of the first major cities to impose an age restriction on the substance.
For now, the council is expected to vote on the final ordinance in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the city is urging parents to talk to their kids about the dangers of unregulated supplements and to report any stores that sell phenibut to minors.
As Los Angeles continues to address the issue, it joins a growing list of municipalities that are taking a closer look at the unregulated supplement market. The hope is that by acting now, the city can prevent the kind of tragedies that have been seen with other substances.
For more on how Los Angeles is handling other public health and safety issues, check out our coverage of the city's new littering fines and New York's crackdown on illegal e-bike sales.
