# Kratom is number one new substance addiction, say doctors

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-06-17 12:07 UTC · Category: Business

## Executive Summary
Medical experts and policymakers are raising alarms as Kratom emerges as a leading new substance addiction, sparking debates over bans and regulation.

## Intelligence Brief
Medical professionals and local government officials are targeting Kratom, often referred to as a gas station supplement, amid reports linking the substance to substance addiction. The Salem mayor has moved to prohibit the sale of these products within the city, following personal accounts of addiction shared by residents in Sevierville.


Coverage from WNYT, Yale Medicine, and Mid Bay News emphasizes health risks and the classification of these products as synthetic drugs. Meanwhile, Yahoo reports on friction between the MAHA organization and Kennedy regarding potential federal bans on these substances. The Cato Institute has also provided testimony concerning AB 1088 and the specific risks associated with prohibiting concentrated 7-OH.


Future developments will depend on the progression of local bans in areas like Salem and the outcome of the legislative debate surrounding AB 1088. Whether federal regulatory bodies move to implement broad prohibitions on Kratom and concentrated 7-OH remains to be seen.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Yale Medicine | Kratom: What Is It and Is It Safe? | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMidEFVX3lxTE5jMExPems2QVM0bTdDb2x4dllxT19CcW1MZnpURGROdUxTR0pPY1Z3SHJSdkcxQlU3MkJuckJ6ZGJxY0xyemZEcnNGSkdGQzZzNklDc2Iyem5hUjByWFJjNFpVUjdhLUdvVk5hV29VSGFLY21y?oc=5) |
| Yahoo | MAHA Furious as Kennedy Moves to Ban Their Medicine: Gas Station Heroin | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilAFBVV95cUxPVGVoOXFRWjZIS09RTjdHUGl0b3l1N2Y4ekg0RUJJY2gzd0U1MTVNUm5ISXJIUmNtWE1WLVA5SkZXT2ZWUVVoWlk2NGg4eU5pQUdJSTVNLTE2bGFUOWJreUdycksyLWZLeVdXZVJXSUpLVy1qNjBWdkZvVC02RFpHR2l2WUdRNVIyNDdMalJpcko3Q2hm?oc=5) |
| Cato Institute | Testimony Re: AB 1088: Kratom Regulation, Consumer Safety, and the Risks of Prohibiting Concentrated 7‑OH | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiugFBVV95cUxPU3IzTHlVLU9FOVl2Rmp0Vm5BTFNTN2pGdFd2SHUwUjVna2tXcktVanc0TWU2LWN6QlpBMmxnU0xROTJjS2E3bVB0cjhVNi1USDRDV3UwV2ZRY2ZZUnYzSTF1QjBoUWgtZ0RkZlpJSjRjR01MUFBqV25pbXZ0R1BaeEhxcElwZXc2Z29WWVhUbXlFSjgwY0RMRjVnbkc1VzQ1R3BoRlZXTFdMY1hCMFJ4V05kRmthRW1NclE?oc=5) |
| Mid Bay News | Tag: gas station supplements | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZkFVX3lxTE1RY1RhY3FEcDRlbk9zUk9QbjhZT0dxRl9fR3FLVi10dF92dUpfVndFOEZPcHVBSGV2cm9rVFZSczlGZ0JmSHgwMlhNTnpmcXJhaVFwcWk4ODI5WmpOeERUTHdzNlB2QQ?oc=5) |
| morningsentinel.com | Salem mayor seeks ban on sale of kratom products in city | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipAFBVV95cUxPdW1QeTdzeW5pczU2ek52b1dKbzFkMEVQc3ZFN2JjNnJGZEowejZuWlExRVVCQ1BsSnFHYndTSUlMMW1oeE9BUDhRU0NxakFVeFU1WGJwWV9ENlpabWxFZlZWelEycHhNMHBibzJweE52dllvRzFJdVVRNjlzYkFOT1N6dm4wbGIyMmpjTVUyaENQRXAzNXdnb2lwZE9wNmZoaGlndg?oc=5) |
| WBIR | 'I had no idea that I was in a full-blown addiction' - Sevierville woman shares warning of synthetic drug advertised as Kratom | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi_wFBVV95cUxQSWNjVlBfVkY0eXN4c0pTdmxlMlcycXpGeXdzMVNpNVlvX2Y5OWRqYkFKd1o5aEFxWlBzc1R6RmpmYjl3NzN0Ty1RbC1wSV81VWQ4cy1rWE1jTkZlc2FEb04tbkZDVFJ6clhHTWlSNmdhTWtRWTRRYUMxU0JGR0RLazRaV1lyOG5MSVdlTnJKX25iZTdzVGFicFJHRWxudkpsTlVtc1NJUVNsY1dEWmx6ZTFYNzMxSjhSOU5ZUWhDelktVGEzNk84UUxsQ0VBekJkenY4QnhCeFNBRmZBV0haenRDRjl6MjFmWlFYZzN3Z1BobE5IbDBUczFWc0V5ZGs?oc=5) |
| WNYT.com | Kratom is number one new substance addiction, say doctors | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijwFBVV95cUxPUHVZa3NHbXVHR1FpZFBHSmxRbmE3VzVHdEhYejlndXZRR1NMRGN5QXlqN0t4THZoVWpUbmhYVjdBcWdBQXhXckNKSnBYajZFUXZTZkd6aXFuRlptRUY4SC1jWF9pSDBxWmJPbHBXZTRfWjdUVHg0OHlOcWpNZFNfbnlYb05uUnpoRno5U1VFMA?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-06-17/kratom-is-number-one-new-substance-addiction-say-doctors*