The deaths of two University of Mississippi students are drawing attention to kratom after authorities said packaged products purchased from a retail store were found in connection with both cases.
Law enforcement has stressed that the deaths are being handled separately, with no confirmed evidence that they are connected. Authorities also have not determined that kratom or any other substance caused or contributed to either death.
Still, the discovery prompted Lafayette County Metro Narcotics to issue a public safety warning urging people to avoid kratom and other substances that were not prescribed or obtained from a trusted, regulated source.
The deaths occurred shortly after Ole Miss hosted LSU for a football game that brought large crowds to Oxford. University officials have urged the public not to speculate while authorities await more information about the causes of death.
Why Kratom Continues to Raise Safety Concerns
Kratom comes from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia and can produce stimulant- and opioid-like effects. Kratom products have been sold online and at convenience stores, gas stations, smoke shops, and other retail locations in many states.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved any prescription or over-the-counter drugs containing kratom or its known alkaloids. The agency has also concluded that kratom is not lawfully marketed as a dietary supplement and has warned about potentially serious adverse effects associated with its use, including seizures, liver toxicity, and substance use disorder.
Another concern is that products sold under the broad umbrella of “kratom” can differ significantly in their ingredients and potency.
Federal regulators have focused particular attention on products containing concentrated levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH. This compound occurs naturally in kratom in trace amounts but can also be concentrated in products sold as tablets, gummies, drink mixes, and shots.
The FDA has warned consumers about concentrated 7-OH products, describing 7-OH as a potent opioid. In July 2026, federal officials also began the process of temporarily scheduling 7-OH above a proposed concentration threshold and certain synthetic 7-OH derivatives under the Controlled Substances Act.
Louisiana Banned Kratom in 2025
While federal regulators continue to address kratom-related products, Louisiana has already taken a more restrictive approach.
In 2025, Louisiana lawmakers passed legislation prohibiting the possession, production, and distribution of kratom. The law, which took effect August 1, 2025, also added kratom's primary active compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, to the state's list of Schedule I controlled substances.
The Louisiana kratom ban followed years of growing health and safety concerns surrounding kratom products, including concerns about potency, labeling, and increasingly concentrated formulations.
Louisiana's action also illustrates how differently kratom may be treated from one state to another. A product consumers buy in another state may be illegal to possess or sell in Louisiana.
Retail Availability Doesn't Mean a Product Is Risk-Free
A product sitting on the shelf at a convenience store or smoke shop can appear no different from other commonly sold supplements or energy products. Still, consumers may have limited information about its ingredients, concentration, potential side effects, or how it could interact with other substances. Those concerns grow as highly concentrated products enter the market.
The broader health risks associated with kratom products have led to warnings from federal regulators, restrictions in some states, and legal claims involving people who allege they were seriously harmed after using kratom.
Questions about labeling, warnings, ingredients, manufacturing, and marketing matter when determining whether a potentially dangerous product exposed consumers to risks they were not adequately warned about.
Causes of Ole Miss Student Deaths Haven’t Been Determined
For now, authorities have cautioned against concluding what caused the deaths of the two Ole Miss students. Autopsy and toxicology findings may provide additional information as authorities continue to examine the separate cases.
The discovery of packaged kratom doesn’t establish that it played a role in either death. But the resulting warning highlights a broader public safety concern surrounding products that may be readily available in one state while prohibited in another. As regulators continue responding to kratom and increasingly concentrated kratom-related products, understanding their ingredients, potency, and potential health risks remains important for consumers and families.
Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain has been closely following the health and legal concerns surrounding kratom in Louisiana and nationwide. If you or a loved one has been seriously harmed after using a kratom product, HKGC can help you understand your legal rights and available options.
