Fifty-eight Oklahomans died between January 2025 and May 2026 after using products containing kratom, a chemical supplement often sold in local gas stations and corner stores. Marketed as a natural, safer substitute for opioids or prescription pain relief, the substance has faced minimal oversight despite its growing presence in the American market. It is not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The Rise of Synthetic Kratom
Kratom originated in Southeast Asia where it served as traditional pain relief for over a century. The plant contains two primary alkaloids named mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. While the former makes up most of the chemical makeup, the latter—commonly known as 7-OH—is only found in trace amounts in the natural leaf. Industry manufacturers have recently synthesized 7-OH into concentrated tablets. These products create a far stronger impact on the brain than the natural plant, causing side effects that resemble opioid use.
Chemist Jeff Havard recently tested extract tablets for News 4 and confirmed these products contain significantly higher levels of 7-OH than what is claimed on the packaging. The lack of regulation allows these high-potency substances to reach shelves without rigorous testing for accuracy or safety. Experts note that consumers often believe they are purchasing a natural, healthy product, only to discover the chemical composition is as dangerous as synthetic opioids.
A Growing Public Health Crisis
Calls to the Oklahoma Poison Center regarding kratom increased sharply in 2026. Data from the first eight months of the year show more reports than the previous four years combined. Symptoms of use mirror those of traditional opioid overdose, including extreme drowsiness and respiratory failure. The state medical examiner identified 58 deaths connected to kratom byproducts within a 17-month window ending in May 2026.
One victim was 20-year-old Evan Bartholomew. His mother, Miranda, recounted that he took a single tablet containing 7-OH before he was found unresponsive in his room. He suffered a heart attack during transit to the hospital and never regained consciousness. His autopsy confirmed no other substances except marijuana were in his system at the time of death.
Regulatory Challenges and Future Oversight
Federal authorities recently attempted to address the danger through a new DEA order. This mandate classifies specific kratom products as Schedule 1 substances, effectively placing them in the same category as heroin. The order limits 7-OH concentrations to 0.05%, which aligns with the natural levels found in kratom leaves.
However, state laws in Oklahoma currently permit concentrations up to 1%, allowing stores to continue selling products that far exceed the new federal safety limit. Mark Woodward of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics confirms that state officials are currently investigating retail complaints and intend to push for tighter legislation in the upcoming legislative session. Until then, business owners remain responsible for removing dangerous inventory from their shelves. Families affected by these losses argue that the legislative process remains too slow to protect the public, leaving many to mourn children whose lives were cut short by unregulated supplements.