Pogemiller, Grego Study Effects of Kratom, THC Drinks on Youth
OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, and Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, on Monday hosted an interim study on the effects of the marketing and sales of kratom and THC drinks on Oklahoma children. The study, held before the House Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances Committee, explored methods of regulation and advocacy in order to better understand the nature of these products and how to protect the state's youth from substances, some of which have been shown to carry high health risks, including death. “I am grateful to the committee for hearing this study today and to Representative Grego for joining me on studying this important issue," Pogemiller said "It’s my responsibility not only as a state representative, but as a mother to ensure Oklahomans are aware of the dangerous and addictive products such as kratom sold in our state that are being advertised to our children. We have work to do to ensure these products are not reaching our youth and that Oklahomans understand the devastating and harmful effects these products have. I’m thankful to all who testified and presented research on this as we look at policy solutions this upcoming legislative session that work to protect Oklahomans from dangerous and accessible substances.” Grego said he requested to join the study because many of his constituents have shared similar concerns. This included Pittsburg County resident Steve Covington who told study participants about his son who is still undergoing rehabilitation to be free of the effects of kratom and its derivatives. "Hearing Mr. Covington's story about a son whose entire life changed because of this substance, was one reason I asked to be a part of this discussion," Grego said. "Here's a young man who has a wife and children, who had a good job, a nice house and so much more. Yet addiction to this product that was marketed as a natural substance that could boost his energy and help with soreness has almost ruined him. We've got to consider what we can do as a state to better address this." Study presenters, including Donnie Anderson, director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, shared that kratom is marketed as a plant-based herbal supplement made from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Consumers claim it can be an energy booster, a mood lifter, a pain reliever or a relaxant that can have both sedative and stimulant effects, depending on dosage. Kratom is often paired with additives such as mitragynine, an active alkaloid, and 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH. The products are easy to find in convenience stores and gas stations across the state, and they are easy for teens to purchase, according to numerous study presenters. The products themselves, especially with derivatives combined with other substances, however, can carry high risk of addiction and negative health consequences, including death, according to Chief and Deputy Chief Forensic Toxicologists Dr. Jesse Kemp and Dr. Kacey Cliburn with the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Cliburn shared that mitragynine was listed as a contributory factor on 44 Oklahoma death certificates from 2021 to 2025. Between January 2025 and June this year, mitragynine and or an alkaloid were listed as a factor in 42 deaths, so the problem is growing. She said the laboratory began identifying more cases with the potent alkaloids in early 2026 and issued a public service alert in May. Mitragynine is now among the top five drugs listed for cause of overdose death along with methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and ethanol. "Our office has never experienced a situation like this, in which an uncontrolled, over-the-counter commercial product has displaced a drug in the top five listed in the cause of death," Cliburn said . Several constituents of the representatives shared personal stories during the study. Angela Goins spoke of the death of her brother who she said became addicted to kratom pills that had dangerous additives. She said the research she had to do to discover the true effects of the derivatives was overwhelming and said it is too hard for law enforcement or lawmakers to keep up with the constantly changing over-the-counter products that are available to Oklahomans. "For my family, this isn't an abstract discussion about chemistry, it's the reason my brother is gone," Goins said . Tiffany Sprague said her daughter became addicted to a kratom drink that was marketed to her as a natural herbal supplement that could help her with energy, weight loss and pain relief as she pursued competitive dancing. Her daughter, Isabella Gardner, and 19-year-old Braxton Bunch shared stories of addiction, detox and the long fight for sobriety. Presenter Frank Turner said he's worked in the field of addiction for more than 25 years, and he's the guy that gets the call from family members asking for help. "Drugs are killing our kids," Turner said. "And how many of us have to die for us to make some drastic changes? There are more drugs in schools than on the streets of Oklahoma. We send our kids to school and think that they're learning, but what they're learning in school is how to get high." Judge Kenneth Stoner, a district judge who works in Oklahoma County Home Treatment Courts, shared additional statistics and risks. Tane Webb, a substance use policy analyst with the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, which has offices in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, explained that while kratom products are readily available over the counter in many Oklahoma gas stations and vape shops, many consumers are unaware of undisclosed synthetic ingredients that carry significant risk. Webb said that while Oklahoma has a Kratom Consumer Protection Act on the books, enforcement of regulations has not kept pace with the changing landscape. His recommendations include increasing the legal purchasing age to 20-plus and prohibiting free or promotional distribution; updating Oklahoma law to limit legal kratom products from natural plant material; establishing consistent standards for alkaloid limits and measurement of concentrations; broadening the scope of enforcement beyond kratom and expanding state capacity for product testing; and increasing education among health care providers, vendors and the public; among others. Michella Carter, technical manager of the Seized Drug Unit, and Melissa Brous, technical manager of the Forensic Toxicology Unit with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, shared costs of kratom testing in Oklahoma – almost $2.7 million in one-time costs and almost $800,000 annually recurring. Former Rep. Doug Cox, R-Grove, also addressed study participants saying state residents have been down this road plenty of times in the past with marijuana, opioids and other substances. "If you are really interested in saving Oklahoman's lives; if you are really interested in keeping Oklahoma families from being destroyed, then outlaw all of it," he encouraged. The study can be viewed on the House website under News & Media, Live Proceedings. Search the calendar for Oct. 12, Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances, 9:30 a.m. -END- Ellen Pogemiller serves District 88 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Her district includes part of Oklahoma County. Jim Grego serves District 17, which includes Latimer County and part of Pittsburg County.