Attorney general sues American Shaman for sales of kratom, 7-OH

By: Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) -- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said Tuesday that her office is suing a distributor for selling an unregulated drug.

Hanaway said the state is suing American Shaman and its affiliated companies under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, claiming that its sales of kratom and 7-OH in gas stations and other stores harm the public.

The lawsuit stems from an investigation launched by the AG's office in Nov. into Kratom distributors in the Show-Me State.

7-OH is a synthetic form of Kratom and has no age requirement to purchase it. The drugs are marketed without safety testing or regulatory approval, Hanaway says.

Julie Weber, Director of Missouri's Poison Center, echoed Hanaway's comments and shared concern over packaging trends she and other officials are seeing targeted towards youth.

"The different bright colors and images that mimic store bought candies and drinks. Children are accessing these occasionally and getting into these products because they think it's good to eat," Weber said.

The state seeks an injunction to stop those sales.

“As a mom, I want to speak truthfully and honestly about these drugs: Over-the-counter opioids are not harmless, they are devastating Missouri families,” Hanaway said in a news release. “We owe it to our communities to hold accountable those who market and distribute these products unlawfully.”

Hanaway emphasized that 7-OH seems more dangerous than kratom because of its concentrated form, calling it a "hazardous opioid."

"I know how much I didn't enjoy when other people had strong opinions about how to legislate, but on this one I feel strongly enough. 7-OH should be banned," Hanaway said.

The lawsuit was filed in Jackson County, where American Shaman is based. The company has a store in Camdenton.

Hanaway said investigations into the other distributors included in the Nov. investigation are still "very active."