Texas AG Sues Kratom Shops Over 'Gas Station Heroin'

Lawsuit targets stores selling kratom products with high levels of synthetic opioid compound 7-hydroxymitragynine.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against two Smokey's Paradise stores in Midlothian, Texas, alleging they are "deceptively marketing" kratom products that contain high levels of the opioid-like compound 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). Paxton claims the products violate state law by exceeding the legal limit of 7-OH and are falsely advertised as natural when much of the 7-OH is synthetically produced.

Why it matters

The lawsuit is part of a broader crackdown on the proliferation of 'gas station heroin' - synthetic kratom products with dangerously high concentrations of 7-OH that can cause opioid-like dependency and overdose. Texas has seen a rise in these products being sold in convenience stores and vape shops, sparking concerns about public health and safety.

The details

Paxton's lawsuit alleges that testing by his office found one kratom tablet product sold at Smokey's Paradise contained 96% 7-OH, far exceeding the 2% legal limit set by a 2023 Texas law. The lawsuit claims these products violate the state's Deceptive Trade Practices Act by falsely marketing them as natural despite the high synthetic 7-OH content.

  • In June 2026, the FDA sent a warning letter to a Houston-based 7-OH company, My Smoke Wholesale.
  • In July 2026, the FDA recommended classifying 7-OH products as a controlled substance.
  • In 2023, Texas passed a law outlawing the sale of synthetic 7-OH products.

The players

Ken Paxton

The Attorney General of Texas who filed the lawsuit against the Smokey's Paradise stores.

Smokey's Paradise

A franchise of kratom shops based in Midlothian, Texas that is being sued by the Texas Attorney General for allegedly selling kratom products with high levels of the synthetic opioid compound 7-hydroxymitragynine.

Global Kratom Coalition

An industry group that has spoken out against the proliferation of 'gas station heroin' - synthetic kratom products with dangerously high concentrations of 7-OH.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to grant Paxton's request to stop the Smokey's Paradise stores from selling the kratom products with high 7-OH levels.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the growing public health concerns around the proliferation of synthetic kratom products, known as 'gas station heroin', that contain dangerously high levels of the opioid-like compound 7-hydroxymitragynine. Texas is cracking down on these products, which have been linked to addiction and overdose, in an effort to protect consumers.