Salt Lake City— Utah health, poison control, and agriculture officials are issuing an urgent public health warning following four deaths across the state linked to high-potency, illegal chemical compounds found in certain herbal supplements, including kratom products and “cat’s claw.” The Utah Poison Control Center (UPCC) strongly advises the public not to buy or use any products labeled as “cat’s claw,” products marked “adults only/21+,” or any non-prescription item marketed as legal while promising psychoactive “highs.” Although these substances are illegal to sell in Utah, consumers could find them in some retail stores.
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) has identified dangerous semi-synthetic kratom chemicals—specifically mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI) and dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine (MGM-15)—in products sold online, as well as in local smoke shops and gas stations.
These products are often sold under brand names like “Buzzers” and are misleadingly labeled as containing “cat’s claw” or its scientific name Uncaria tomentosa. While natural cat’s claw itself is not harmful, laboratory testing reveals these products contain MGPI and MGM-15. The labels often claim the product is legal and free of kratom, yet warn that it is for “adults only/21+” or produces strong psychoactive effects.
In August 2026, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classified MGPI, MGM-15, and related chemicals as Schedule I controlled substances. These compounds act as powerful opioids that are much stronger than morphine and carry severe risks of addiction, dangerous withdrawal symptoms, overdose, and death.
Under Utah law, only pure, natural leaf kratom products may be legally sold. Any product containing kratom extracts or semi-synthetic chemicals is illegal.
Because these chemicals act on the body’s opioid receptors, the overdose-reversal medication naloxone (Narcan) is effective in treating an overdose from these products.
Evidence-based medical treatments used for standard opioid dependence and withdrawal are effective for people struggling with addiction to these substances. Anyone experiencing withdrawal should seek immediate medical attention.
If you see kratom extracts or semi-synthetic kratom products being sold in Utah, report them to UDAF by emailing udaf-kratom@utah.gov
, opens in a new tab
.
For immediate support, guidance on treatment, or questions about potential overdose or withdrawal, call the Utah Poison Control Center 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222
, opens in a new tab
. Assistance is free and confidential.
