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Kratom crisis exposed: I went under cover at the stores peddling opioid-like legal highs
An undercover investigation in New York found smoke-shop staff selling kratom products with little screening or advice, despite the reporter saying they were pregnant, had anxiety and depression, and wanted a large quantity to share at a party. The findings raise concerns about consumer safeguards for a psychoactive substance that can have opioid-like effects and may be addictive, while remaining broadly legal in much of the United States.
The reporter bought five types of product, some with no specific warnings, and said most shops did not ask for identification, despite New York’s 21-and-over purchase rule. Products included ones containing 7-OH, a kratom-derived compound experts say is 13 times stronger than morphine; risks vary with potency, amount and other factors. The article says the DEA is considering temporary Schedule I classification for four kratom-linked substances, with an order for 7-OH still pending as of November 2026, and notes that the FDA has not approved kratom for medical use.
In short
- New York shops sold kratom products with little screening.
- Most stores visited did not check the reporter’s age.
- DEA action on kratom-linked substances remains pending.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Broad access to kratom can be defended on grounds of adult choice and harm reduction: some people seek it for pain or to manage opioid withdrawal, and making products illegal could push use towards less regulated markets. Advocates may favour clear labelling, age checks, potency limits and honest advice over a ban, while noting that risks vary substantially by product and dose.
The case against
The investigation supports stronger safeguards because psychoactive products, especially concentrated 7-OH, may carry risks of dependence or serious harm, while buyers can encounter weak screening, inadequate warnings and little guidance. Given the uncertainty about safe use and the added vulnerability of some customers, restricting potent products or their sale may be justified to prevent avoidable harm.
Explained simply
Kratom comes from a tree native to South-east Asia. Its leaves contain substances that can affect the brain and body; products made from them vary in strength, and some may cause opioid-like effects or dependence.
In the United States, kratom is broadly legal, though rules differ by state and it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a medicine. New York requires buyers to be at least 21, while federal officials are considering tighter controls on several kratom-related substances.
The debate involves shop owners and customers, health experts, state regulators and federal agencies. It matters because buyers may encounter potent products without clear information, while the health risks and appropriate safeguards remain contested.