Missouri – A legal battle is unfolding in Missouri as Attorney General Catherine Hanaway moves to challenge what she describes as a dangerous and deceptive market surrounding a powerful opioid-like substance.
The lawsuit targets CBD American Shaman along with a network of related companies, accusing them of producing and selling kratom-derived compounds, specifically mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH, without meeting required safety and regulatory standards.
At the heart of the case is a growing concern over how these substances are presented to the public. According to the Attorney General’s filing, products containing 7-OH are often promoted as safe and natural alternatives, a claim officials strongly dispute. Hanaway warned that such messaging can mislead individuals, particularly those already vulnerable due to opioid dependency, into underestimating the risks tied to these compounds.
“Missourians, including those struggling with opioid addiction, are being dangerously misled into believing that 7-OH is predictable, safe, and natural. This could not be more untrue,” said Attorney General Hanaway in a release. “It is my job to protect Missourians and it is clear 7-OH is a hazardous opioid.”
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The lawsuit, developed in coordination with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, outlines a series of allegations. Among them is the claim that these products are widely available in everyday retail settings such as gas stations and smoke shops, yet lack proper approval and testing.
The filing also points to labeling practices that fail to fully disclose serious dangers, including addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and the possibility of overdose. In some instances, the risks are reportedly minimized or omitted altogether.
Kratom, derived from the plant mitragyna speciosa, has long been marketed in various forms. However, officials say 7-OH, a more concentrated and potent compound extracted from the plant, poses far greater risks. Health authorities emphasize that despite its natural origin, the substance behaves similarly to opioids and can carry severe consequences.
The investigation into these products began publicly in November 2025, when the Attorney General’s Office issued formal demands seeking information from American Shaman. Not long after, federal authorities seized thousands of related items from company warehouses. Despite these developments, the lawsuit claims the companies continued their activities, even promoting free samples of 7-OH products without adequately warning consumers about their addictive nature.
Health officials are raising alarms as well. The state’s Chief Medical Officer highlighted the increasing number of serious health outcomes linked to kratom-derived substances, including dependency and life-threatening toxicity. Federal data adds further weight, indicating that hospitalizations tied to kratom exposure have surged dramatically over the past decade.
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The legal action now seeks to halt the sale and promotion of these products in Missouri and impose financial penalties for each alleged violation. State officials say the goal is clear: to protect residents from substances they believe are being dangerously misrepresented and to hold companies accountable for practices that put public health at risk.
The full lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Jackson County can be read here.
The press conference announcing this action can be viewed at General Hanaway’s Facebook page.
