Texas has initiated legal proceedings against two California-based companies, Pure Leaf Kratom and Outcast Distribution, for allegedly distributing illegal and synthetic kratom products to consumers in Texas. This action comes as part of a broader effort to address the dangers posed by adulterated substances within the state.
The lawsuit claims that these companies shipped kratom products containing dangerously high levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), with laboratory tests revealing concentrations as high as 96%. This is nearly fifty times the legal limit established by the Texas Kratom Consumer Health and Safety Protection Act.
According to a statement from the Texas Attorney General’s Office, both companies purportedly misled customers by stating on their websites that they complied with Texas regulations, claiming their products did not exceed 2% 7-OH or contain any synthetic kratom. However, an investigation found these assertions to be inaccurate.
The Attorney General’s Office confirmed that multiple products shipped to Texas had 7-OH levels ranging from 86% to 96%, far exceeding the legal cap. Furthermore, it is alleged that the companies distributed products containing synthetic alkaloids, which are explicitly prohibited under Texas law.
This lawsuit follows a similar legal action taken against a North Texas retailer, Smokey’s Paradise, for selling kratom products with similarly excessive 7-OH levels. In that case, the state successfully obtained a temporary injunction to stop sales of the infringing products.
The Texas Kratom Consumer Health and Safety Protection Act, passed in 2023, established strict potency limits and banned synthetic additives in an effort to safeguard consumers from potentially hazardous substances.
Attorney General Ken Paxton stated, “I will not allow California-based companies to illegally ship their potentially deadly substances into Texas. Synthetic kratom products can be incredibly dangerous, and my office will continue to work to protect Texas consumers from the harms of adulterated kratom products.”
The current lawsuit aims to prevent the two companies from continuing their sales in Texas and is part of an ongoing initiative to enforce compliance among kratom retailers violating state law.
