Ole Miss Investigation Update: Products Identified Were Not Natural Kratom

Recent reporting surrounding the deaths of two University of Mississippi students initially described products recovered in the investigations simply as “kratom.” According to newly released law-enforcement information cited in AKA’s media advisory, the products were identified as “Smax” Pseudo-DHM tablets, marketed as an MGM-15 product—not natural kratom.

The AKA is asking news organizations and public officials to clearly distinguish natural kratom leaf from synthetic or chemically manipulated products being sold under the kratom name. At the same time, the AKA emphasizes that official toxicology findings have not yet been released and is not asserting what caused either death.

📍 Mississippi Advocates — Please Join Us

Wednesday, September 30, 2026
10:00 a.m. Central Time

Lafayette County Sheriff Building
711 Jackson Avenue East
Oxford, Mississippi 38655

If you live in Oxford, Lafayette County, or the surrounding area, your presence matters. We encourage you to attend and stand with fellow Mississippi kratom consumers as the AKA works to ensure the public receives accurate information about the difference between natural kratom and synthetic products.

Register to attend below

For advocates who cannot attend in person, the press conference will also be livestreamed through the American Kratom Association YouTube channel.

Thank you, as always, for your time and advocacy