Mitra-9 Lawsuit: Are Kratom Drinks Addictive?

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit alleges Mitra-9 Brands sells kratom-infused drinks, powders, and shots without warning buyers about their opioid-like addiction risks.

Consumers Affected: U.S. consumers who purchased Mitra-9 products within the legal time limits.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Spokane Division

Mitra-9 Brands sells kratom-infused drinks, powders, and shots without warning buyers about their risks, particularly their potential to cause opioid-like addiction, a Washington state consumer alleges in a new lawsuit centered on the controversial substance.

The lawsuit alleges the company’s packaging and marketing give the impression of a safe, “all-natural” pick-me-up while hiding the fact that the active ingredients act on the same brain receptors as morphine, with similar withdrawal symptoms.

Plaintiff Says He Suffered Unexpected Withdrawals

The case was filed by Springdale resident Sheelah Palmer, who says they began buying Mitra-9 kratom products from smoke shops and gas stations in 2019. Believing the items were harmless, Palmer relied on the packaging and marketing to make their purchase. 

Months later, he says he experienced cold sweats, insomnia, irritability, and restless legs when he tried to cut back, symptoms he now recognizes as withdrawal. Palmer claims a clear warning label would have stopped them from ever buying the products.

What Kratom Is and Why It’s Controversial

Kratom comes from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, where it has been used for centuries in herbal medicine. At low doses, it can act like a stimulant; at higher doses, it produces sedative and pain-relieving effects. 

The plant’s main alkaloids (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) also bind to the brain’s mu-opioid receptors, making them potentially addictive.

In Thailand and Malaysia, kratom was banned decades ago over safety concerns. In the U.S., it’s widely sold online and in stores, often marketed as a natural supplement for energy, focus, or pain relief. 

The lawsuit claims most consumers have little understanding of kratom’s opioid-like properties, leaving them vulnerable to developing a dependency without realizing it.

The complaint accuses Mitra-9 of intentionally downplaying these risks and designing light, fruit-themed packaging that suggests a health-conscious lifestyle product rather than a substance capable of triggering addiction. 

The lawsuit argues that the company profits from public ignorance and fails to meet its legal obligation to disclose significant health hazards.

Kratom Under Legal and Regulatory Fire

This case comes amid growing scrutiny of the kratom industry. Other lawsuits have targeted major brands such as OPMS, Happy Hippo, and MIT45, alleging deceptive marketing, failure to warn about the plant’s addictive properties, and even wrongful death tied to kratom use. 

Plaintiffs in these cases claim companies misled consumers by promoting kratom as a natural supplement while omitting that its active ingredients work like opioids, carrying risks of dependency and withdrawal. 

Regulators are also looking to crack down on the substance, which has been linked to multiple overdose deaths, as its popularity surges in the U.S. Authorities have signaled potential punishments for manufacturers and distributors that fail to disclose health dangers.

Palmer hopes to represent all U.S. buyers of Mitra-9 products within the legal time limits, seeking damages, restitution, and an injunction requiring proper warnings. 

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Palmer v. Mitra-9 Brands LLC
• Case Number: 2:25-cv-00250-MKD
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Spokane Division

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Wright A. Noel (Carson Noel PLLC)
• Ryan Brooks Martin, Neal J. Deckant, and Luke Sironski-White (Bursor & Fisher, P.A.)

Have you used Mitra-9 kratom products? Share your experience with their effects below.