A recent undercover investigation by the Daily Mail has shed light on the widespread availability and potent nature of kratom products, which are marketed as legal highs and possess opioid-like effects. The reporter visited numerous stores across New York, documenting how easily kratom could be purchased in various forms, including pills, powders, drinks, and gummies.
One vendor offered the reporter as much kratom as they wanted, while another provided a free beverage containing the substance, citing its ability to 'boost energy.' These free samples are particularly concerning given kratom's documented addictive properties, which can lower the barrier to access for potential users. Some products contained 7-OH, a compound derived from kratom that experts say is 13 times stronger than morphine.
Despite the FDA not approving kratom as safe or effective for any medical use, and the DEA listing it as a substance of concern, it remains legal and largely unregulated on the federal level. While some states have banned its consumption, it can still be purchased in many areas, often at smoke shops and even marijuana dispensaries. The products are frequently marketed as natural and plant-based alternatives.
Kratom is consumed in multiple forms, including crushed leaves, brewed tea, powders, capsules, extracts, gummies, and tablets, with some strains being more potent than others. The investigation highlighted the ease with which consumers can obtain these substances, often with minimal oversight or information regarding their risks.
In some cases, the reporter was even able to inquire about purchasing an entire shop's supply of kratom. This demonstrates a lack of stringent controls over the distribution of these potentially addictive substances. Malaysia, Singapore, and Myanmar, countries where kratom originates, have made its consumption illegal, though its export remains permissible.
