Missouri AG Investigates Kratom Sellers After Deaths

Missouri AG Launches Investigation into Kratom Companies

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has initiated a formal investigation into several companies that manufacture and sell kratom products. The move comes in response to multiple deaths in the state that have been allegedly linked to kratom consumption, prompting scrutiny of the industry's marketing practices and product safety.

The Attorney General's office has issued Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) to at least four companies: Payless Kratom, SoCal Herbal Remedies, Midwest Kratom, and Drip Drop Distro, LLC. A CID is a legal tool, similar to a subpoena, that allows authorities to demand documents and information from companies as part of a formal inquiry before any charges are filed.

This investigation highlights growing concerns from state officials regarding the safety and purity of kratom products available to consumers.

Focus on Product Safety and Contamination

The inquiry was reportedly triggered by several tragic incidents, including the death of a St. Charles County man in 2023. A medical examiner ruled the cause of death was "mitragynine intoxication," with mitragynine being the primary psychoactive alkaloid in kratom. Another case cited involved a death where the kratom product consumed was found to be contaminated with fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid.

Attorney General Bailey's investigation aims to determine if the companies engaged in deceptive marketing, failed to disclose potential risks, or sold products that were dangerously adulterated or contaminated. The CIDs request information related to the companies' manufacturing processes, marketing materials, and any knowledge of adverse health events associated with their products.

Context: The Missouri Kratom Consumer Protection Act

For kratom consumers in Missouri, this investigation is particularly significant because the state has a Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) in place. Enacted to create a regulated and safer market, the Missouri KCPA establishes several key rules for the sale of kratom:

• Age Restriction: Prohibits the sale of kratom to individuals under 18.
• Labeling Requirements: Mandates that all kratom products be clearly labeled with their ingredients and the amount of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine they contain.
• Purity Standards: Makes it illegal to sell kratom products that are adulterated with other dangerous non-kratom substances or contaminated with unsafe levels of heavy metals or other toxins.

This investigation can be viewed as an enforcement action under the spirit of the KCPA. By targeting companies potentially violating safety and marketing standards, the state is taking steps to uphold the law's intent: to protect consumers from dangerous or mislabeled products and to hold vendors accountable.

What This Means for Consumers

This development serves as a critical reminder for kratom users to prioritize safety and due diligence when purchasing products. While the investigation is ongoing, consumers should remain vigilant. Sourcing kratom from reputable vendors who provide transparent, third-party lab test results (Certificates of Analysis) for their products is more important than ever.

Ultimately, a well-regulated market benefits responsible consumers and vendors alike. The outcome of the Attorney General's investigation could lead to stricter enforcement of the KCPA, helping to remove unsafe products from shelves and ensure that Missouri's kratom market operates with greater transparency and safety.

Source: [Original Article](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiywFBVV95cUxNNXo2dHdLelc2VXZ3WkZaWGQyVG4tcUl3X0lET3BGbnN6YjBnTWZhYTl5dU5sUW5OX21LUk50aDRjSS11Q1VHQWMyOVJPaVFYbG8tZlliRElzRFE2RmFtalFreElZb2gtNzMxMnRuc0Yzbm5OTVpqdElWMzA1SE5WSW1ZV1VPTnRXMmJkOG5VM2VFZjhnT1E3UkNjWmt6M1lxS0ItS3UwdUhYWVRTcnFENjlyaWRwVTJhSkJyOFRwWjFlZ2hQMDNTS1BzMA?oc=5)