A recent investigation revealed that dangerous synthetic kratom is available at smoke shops throughout New York City, despite containing harmful substances that are banned under federal law.
In a two-week effort, investigators from The Post checked 52 shops and discovered that around 15% — or eight stores — were selling products containing two synthetics banned nationwide by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in an emergency order issued in August. These synthetics include mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI) and dihydro-7-hydroxy mitragynine (MGM-15).
This emergency ruling categorizes these substances as Schedule I controlled substances, and selling them could lead to up to 20 years in prison.
The scrutiny of synthetic kratom products has intensified following the suspected overdose deaths of University of Mississippi students Aidan Hamilton and Robert Strang, who were found to have illegal kratom on the scene.
Two men have been charged in connection with providing the substances to the students. One of their attorneys noted in court that one man died due to a combination of various substances, while the other succumbed to inhalation asphyxiation. Toxicology reports revealed both men had MGPI, MGM-15, and mitragynine in their systems when they died on September 21.
Recently, officials in Utah issued a warning after four deaths were traced to a product dubbed “cat’s claw,” which contained potentially harmful semi-synthetic kratom chemicals.
“When’s it going to end?” asked Wendy Chamberlain, founder of Kratom Danger Awareness, who lost her son Joseph to a kratom overdose in 2020.
Kratom, derived from a Southeast Asian plant, can imitate both stimulant and opioid effects, as reported by the Mayo Clinic. Smaller doses provide a burst of energy, while larger doses can have sedative effects. Synthetic forms might be significantly more potent.
The Post’s investigation revealed that numerous smoke shops and convenience stores were stocking these dangerous and illegal products, often without concern for the legal implications.
In various stores, employees mentioned that their most potent offerings contained MGPI or MGM-15, either out of ignorance or disregard for the law.
Several products found contained 7-Hydroxymitragynine, a legal compound in New York known for its high potency, often referred to as “gas station heroin.”
One popular product, sold in packs of 1,000 mg called “7-Hydroxy+Psuedoindyl,” was prominently displayed at New City Smoke Shop in lower Manhattan. An employee at East Village Smoke Shop told a reporter that this product was becoming hard to find because it was “about to be banned.”
However, the extent of the strength of these products is alarming, with MGPI reportedly being 31 times stronger than other legal compounds.
An employee at New City Smoke Shop recognized that customers choose the MGPI product for its potency but mentioned that a health inspector warned them that it would soon be illegal.
In Astoria, a store named Ditmars Organic Convenience seemed acutely aware of their illegal offerings, presenting them discreetly through an iPad rather than displaying them on shelves.
The East Village Smoke Shop also carried risky products containing both 7-OH and synthetic variants. A worker there incorrectly believed the items would soon be outlawed.
Customers often cited increased energy and focus as reasons for taking these drugs, but store workers observed the opposite effects afterward, noting severe weakness and cautioning against their usage.
The ingredients in products offered by The Post were comparable to those found in the tablets linked to Hamilton and Strang’s tragic deaths.
Former ATF chief Rich Marianos criticized the prevalence of these smoke shops, likening them to “crack houses,” emphasizing that any narcotic generating a high akin to heroin should only be dispensed with a doctor’s oversight.
Greg Kiesow, a former kratom user, shared his experience of battling addiction, illustrating how it can rob individuals of their emotional capacity and lead to profound isolation.
Technically, kratom products are legal at the federal level, but they remain banned in nine states, and consumption is illegal in several countries where kratom originates. The CDC notes that more than 1,200 drug overdose deaths involved kratom between late 2024 and late 2025, with an expected market worth over $7.80 billion by 2032.
From 2023 to 2024, New York reported 100 overdoses related to kratom, contributing to 45 deaths in the subsequent year, though often involving additional substances.
The crisis surrounding synthetic kratom may soon escalate, as the Department of Justice announced intentions to classify 7-OH as a Schedule I controlled substance, paralleling MGM-15 and MGPI. This would mean that those selling 7-OH might also face hefty prison sentences.
Significantly, local lawmakers are pushing for more stringent regulations. Long Island Republicans are advocating for a total ban on all kratom products, while several counties have already implemented outright prohibitions.
Advocates against kratom stress that these synthetics pose substantial health risks akin to those associated with traditional opioids, including withdrawal, seizures, and even death.
Chamberlain underscored the need for comprehensive legislative action, suggesting that eliminating the kratom plant could prevent the proliferation of these dangerous synthetic alternatives.
Another grieving mother, Dana Knox, recounted her son’s accidental overdose from synthetic kratom, equating these drugs to heroin and fentanyl in terms of their addictive nature. She posed a critical question: if these substances are just as lethal, why are they available over the counter?
The DEA declined to comment on the situation.
