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San Francisco Health Officials Warn of Kratom-Derived Opioid After Fatal Overdose
The medical examiner found MGM-15 in the victim and in product packaging, and police seized hundreds of kratom items from local smoke shops.
On Wednesday, the San Francisco Department of Public Health issued a warning about the city's first fatal overdose involving MGM-15, a potent semi-synthetic opioid derived from kratom that lacks medical approval.
The decedent consumed tablets branded "Script Botanicals x Maui Labs" that failed to list kratom or the Schedule I substance on packaging, according to SFDPH.
Animal tests indicate MGM-15 is about 50 times more potent than morphine; health officials confirmed the drug has been linked to prior overdose deaths in Utah and Washington.
The San Francisco Police Department seized over 400 kratom products from local smoke shops during recent searches, though authorities have not linked the confiscated items to this death.
Forensic researcher Dr. Alex Krotulski warned that products often mask synthetic additives behind "proprietary blend" labels, while health officials recommend administering naloxone and calling 911 immediately if overdose is suspected.