San Francisco reports 1st death linked to potent kratom-derived opioid found at gas stations
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco health leaders have announced the city's first overdose death linked to a synthetic opioid that officials say can be found at gas stations.
The product is marketed as a botanical supplement, but investigators say it contains MGM-15
According to officials, the drug is derived from a psychoactive plant called kratom. They said the product's packaging does not disclose that it contains kratom.
MORE: New circulating opioid stronger than fentanyl linked to San Francisco teen's death; 4 arrested
The California Department of Public Health banned kratom products last year, but officials said the products remain widely available in products at gas stations and smoke shops.
In recent weeks, San Francisco police have seized hundreds of kratom products from smoke shops, according to officials.
The announcement comes as city leaders continue to monitor the availability of products containing kratom and related substances in local retail stores.
SFPDH says that there have been previous overdoses involving MGM-15 in Utah and Washington.
