JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri’s Attorney General has initiated a statewide inquiry into six companies involved in the sale of potentially hazardous kratom products. Attorney General Catherine Hanaway revealed the investigation on Thursday, expressing significant concern about the marketing of these substances as “natural supplements” when they possess properties akin to opioids.
“The lack of FDA approval and safety testing raises alarming questions,” Hanaway said. “Missourians should not be sold substances that carry drug-like risks without understanding what they are actually consuming. Companies that mislead the public or jeopardize consumer safety will be held accountable.”
The investigation involves major distributors, including MNG 2005 Inc., which operates as CBD Kratom, one of the largest kratom distributors in the nation. Other companies under scrutiny include The Green Dragon LLC, Emporium Inc., Moonlight Smoke Shop LLC, CBD American Shaman LLC, and Shaman Botanicals LLC. These firms are believed to be in violation of state laws concerning the sale of kratom products, which are often found in retail locations and online platforms across Missouri.
Kratom, derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa plant, is often promoted as a natural alternative for various ailments. However, the Attorney General’s office highlights that over-the-counter formulations can vary drastically in strength and purity. The most concerning element is 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a potent psychoactive compound that mimics the effects of opioids in the brain. Many kratom products reportedly contain 7-OH concentrations that surpass those naturally found in the plant.
Officials warn that the consumption of kratom can lead to severe health issues, including dependency, seizures, heart complications, liver damage, and even death. Hanaway pointed out that 7-OH has been linked to multiple fatalities in Missouri, stressing that no kratom product has received FDA approval for any medicinal application.
As part of the investigation, the Attorney General’s office has issued Civil Investigative Demands requiring the involved companies to provide comprehensive information, including manufacturing practices, complete ingredient lists, and any consumer complaints related to their products. Authorities are particularly interested in determining whether companies have inadvertently or deliberately omitted the presence of harmful substances such as 7-OH.
“This office is committed to the well-being of the public,” Hanaway said. “When businesses market unregulated and potentially addictive products while concealing their risks, they violate the trust of Missouri residents. We will pursue the facts rigorously and take all necessary actions to protect families from dangerous products.”
Missourians who suspect they have been misled or harmed by kratom products can reach out to the Attorney General’s office to file complaints. The investigation underscores a growing concern regarding the regulation of natural supplements and their potential impact on public health.