Kratom Industry Responds to Investigation of Ole Miss Students’ Deaths
In the wake of an ongoing investigation into the tragic deaths of two students from the University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, the kratom industry is speaking out. They believe the product has been misunderstood in connection with the incidents.
Eighteen-year-old Aidan Hamilton and twenty-year-old Robert Strang were found dead on September 21 at different locations. Initially, reports indicated that what was described as “packaged kratom” or “synthetic kratom” was discovered near the students. However, on September 30, investigators clarified that only “packaging related to kratom products” was recovered at the scenes.
The Lafayette County Metro Narcotics, part of the local sheriff’s office, stated, “During the investigations, packaging associated with kratom products was found at both locations.” As of now, toxicology reports are still awaited.
Court documents reveal that the packaging discovered near the students bore the name “Modus.” One of the products identified was labeled Smax Pseudo-DHM, with ingredients like pseudoindoxyl and MGM-15 included.
Mac Haddow, from the American Kratom Association, expressed concern over the initial reports linking kratom to the deaths. He stated that it seems statistically unlikely for a natural kratom product to be responsible for two deaths, especially so closely together.
In response to the reports, Haddow mentioned they attempted to contact the Oxford Police Department for clarifications and ended up holding a press conference in Oxford. He emphasized that the products found were chemically altered opioids, not traditional kratom, which has been used safely in Southeast Asia for many years.
“It’s reassuring to know that the products reported are synthetic and controlled substances,” Haddow noted. He criticized the presence of these synthetic products in the market, emphasizing that they never should have been available in the first place.
In Mississippi, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act aims to regulate the sale of kratom instead of banning it outright. This law outlines who can sell kratom and what types of products are permissible while ensuring proper labeling and preventing the sale of dangerous, altered substances.
Haddow underscored the importance of enforcing this law, questioning why relevant authorities hadn’t done more to regulate these products. He explained that traditional kratom leaves have a long history of safe use without reports of fatalities, although some adverse effects from long-term use do exist.
The FDA has issued warnings regarding kratom, citing risks like dependence and contamination, while ongoing studies continue to explore the plant’s effects. Recently, federal agencies have expressed concerns over chemically modified kratom products that contain elevated levels of certain compounds.
“The manipulation of kratom’s natural composition by amateur chemists has raised red flags within regulatory agencies,” Haddow remarked. He believes that these modified substances should be classified separately from natural kratom.
The American Kratom Association is now focusing on banning synthetic compounds and protecting natural kratom. Haddow argues it is unjust to blame natural kratom for issues arising from synthetic opioids.
He has drawn parallels to caffeine, saying if highly concentrated caffeine caused an incident, coffee itself wouldn’t be blamed. This same logic applies to kratom, he insists.
Haddow noted that products derived from the kratom plant, such as those containing pseudoindoxyl and other synthetic variants, should be considered opioids rather than kratom. He advocates for clear distinctions between these products to ensure consumer safety.
In contrast to calls for prohibition, Haddow and the Association support state regulations that mandate safe formulations, clear labeling, and age limits for products. He emphasizes the importance of consumer protection in the industry, stating, “We need to regulate these products properly, and as consumer representatives, we’re committed to that.”
