Kratom Brands in Vape Shops Across the US

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Regulatory Science
• Consumer Product Analysis

Background:

• Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is increasingly available despite potential health risks and federal illegality of interstate commerce.
• Understanding the scope of kratom's distribution is crucial for assessing regulatory compliance and public health impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the extent of kratom brand distribution across US states and territories.
• To identify major kratom brands sold in vape shops nationwide.
• To assess potential violations of federal laws regarding interstate commerce of kratom.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Google Maps to identify vape shops in all 50 US states, DC, and Puerto Rico.
• Contacted 661 vape shops (78.7% contact rate) between November-December 2023 to gather sales data.
• Collected brand information from 153 shops that sold kratom (41.1% of kratom-selling shops).

Main Results:

• Kratom was sold in 71.5% of surveyed vape shops (372/520).
• OPMS, Remarkable Herb, and MIT 45 were the most prevalent brands, found in 42, 30, and 31 states/territories, respectively.
• Significant interstate presence of kratom brands was documented, indicating widespread distribution.

Conclusions:

• The extensive interstate distribution of kratom brands suggests probable violations of federal regulations.
• Findings underscore the necessity for enhanced regulatory oversight and enforcement concerning kratom sales.
• Further research is needed to fully comprehend the scale of kratom commerce and its implications.