A South Jersey man sued CBD Kratom stores over his addiction to kratom beverages

Evan Eichhorn, a 34-year-old from Camden County, New Jersey, is suing CBD Kratom stores after becoming addicted to their kratom beverages. He began consuming the drinks in spring 2024, initially attracted by promises of boosted mood, focus, and energy. His consumption quickly escalated to six to eight cans daily, leading to a $60,000 expenditure over a year and a disruption of his personal life. After undergoing rehab, Eichhorn filed a federal class-action lawsuit accusing CBD Kratom of “dangerous and misleading marketing and labeling” regarding kratom’s addictive potential. The lawsuit argues that CBD Kratom downplays the risks of addiction, comparing kratom to substances like sugar or caffeine, and fails to provide adequate warnings on its products. Experts note that kratom, sold as a herbal supplement, is unregulated and can be thousands of times more potent than the plant it’s derived from, acting on the same brain receptors as opioids and causing painful withdrawal symptoms. Eichhorn hopes the lawsuit will lead to better warnings and public education about kratom addiction, as awareness is currently low compared to opioids like heroin and fentanyl.

(Source：The Philadelphia Inquirer)