Oklahoma officials warn synthetic kratom linked to dozens of deaths

OKLAHOMA (KXII) -Synthetic kratom has been identified as a contributing factor in 58 overdoses and deaths in Oklahoma since January 2025, according to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics.

Kratom is a tropical plant from Southeast Asia sold in teas, capsules, and powders at gas stations and smoke shops across the country. In low doses, it acts as a stimulant. In high doses, a sedative.

Oklahoma officials say a synthetic version of the drug is far more dangerous than the natural form. Mark Woodward with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics said natural kratom has been sold in the state for years without significant problems — but that changed recently.

“In the last couple of years, companies have come out with a new variation of kratom where they’ve taken the mitragynine 7-hydroxy and in a lab, synthesized it to make it much, much stronger and more addictive,” Woodward said. “And that is what is causing the problems in the last two to three years.”

How potent is synthetic kratom?

The state says the synthesized version can be 10 to 30 times stronger than natural kratom — and significantly more addictive.

Woodward said the bureau has heard from people who became addicted to synthetic kratom after initially believing it was harmless.

“They may start out on synthetic kratom and at first it feels good,” Woodward said. “But before they knew it, they were spending 6, $700 a week to feed an addiction that was every bit as powerful as somebody who’s hooked on painkillers, fentanyl or heroin. It had the same reaction on the brain where they could not let go of it.”

Retailer responsibility and the law

Kratom remains legal in Oklahoma, but only if it complies with the state’s potency limits.

“Any kratom product that has seven hydroxymitragynine over 1% is a banned substance in Oklahoma. And it’s you as a store that is responsible,” Woodward said.

Woodward said the bureau is not responsible for testing store inventory — that obligation falls on retailers.

“We’re not going to go and walk your shelves and test all your products. That is your responsibility and you are liable if you’re selling something that puts your customers at risk of overdose and death,” Woodward said. “And if you’re not sure of what you’re selling, pull it immediately.”

He also warned that some vendors have provided fraudulent lab results to retailers.

“If some salesman comes here and says that our product is legal, and sometimes they even provide fraudulent lab work, you need to test it yourself at a lab,” Woodward said.

Woodward said stores that continue selling non-compliant products after being put on notice will face consequences.

“You cannot have this kind of nonchalant attitude. You’re putting people at risk and people are dying here in Oklahoma and you will be held accountable,” Woodward said.

Public warnings and next steps

Woodward said the public should not assume gas station products are safe simply because they are available for purchase.

“Just because it’s sold in a gas station does not make it safe. Just because it’s advertised as natural does not necessarily mean it’s safe,” Woodward said. “There are dozens of products that are being sold out here recklessly by stores who don’t care whether they hurt anybody — they’re about making money.”

Because synthetic kratom is not currently a Schedule One controlled substance, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics does not have jurisdiction to enter stores, shut them down, or pursue criminal charges directly. However, the Oklahoma State Department of Health does have enforcement authority. Residents who believe a store is selling illegal kratom can file a complaint through the health department’s website.

Woodward said there is growing support in the state legislature to classify synthetic kratom as a Schedule One substance.

“I definitely have heard support from our legislators to go ahead and make synthesized kratom products illegal in Oklahoma, placing it as a Schedule One so that we will have more teeth and criminal options available to go after these stores and those who sell it with a reckless disregard for what it’s going to do to their customers,” Woodward said.