No ID to Vote, But ID for Creatine? California’s New Law Sparks Backlash

California is taking a harsh stance on an unlikely subject: creatine.

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound, commonly taken as a dietary supplement by athletes and gymgoers to improve performance during high-intensity exercise and support muscle growth.

Now, under Assembly Bill 2030, Californians under 18 will be prohibited from purchasing these muscle-building supplements beginning Jan. 1, 2027, while retailers will be required to check government-issued photo identification when they cannot reasonably determine a customer’s age.

The author of Assembly Bill 2030, Assemblyman Josh Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, explained his rationale for the bill, arguing, “Kids are at a fragile developmental period where unsafe supplements can have far-ranging impacts on their lives and development.”

Opponents, however, were quick to criticize this reasoning, drawing attention to other activities permitted under California law that do not carry the same identification requirements or concern for “far-ranging impacts.”

Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt pointed out that California still does not require voters to present photo ID at the polls but will now have a law restricting minors from purchasing certain supplements, including creatine products.

Republican Assemblyman David Tangipa, R-Fresno, accused Democrats of applying inconsistent standards to identification requirements, arguing that the state’s new supplement restrictions contradict arguments previously made against voter ID laws.

“We were just told for the past year that requiring an ID is racist because of the systemic barriers associated with obtaining an ID. So either the majority doesn’t want black, brown, poor, and immigrants to have access to health supplements, or they’ve been lying to us about their arguments over ID requirements.”

Former collegiate swimmer and women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines criticized the contrast between California’s restrictions on supplements for minors and its laws governing gender-transition-related medical treatment.

Gaines argued that minors can undergo sex-change procedures but cannot purchase certain workout supplements without meeting the new age requirement.

American Herbal Products Association Vice President of Regulatory & Government Affairs Robert Marriott also shared his disappointment in the bill.

“Lacking any scientific justification, AB 2030 casts a shadow over safe, beneficial products—AHPA and the aligned trade will consider all available legislative, administrative, and legal options to address the many problems this law creates.”

With the law set to take effect in less than two months, retailers across California will soon be responsible for enforcing the new restrictions, with violations carrying fines of up to $500 each.

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