Officials Warn Kratom Products May Pose Local Public Health Risk
On November 19, 2025 county and health officials raised alarms about kratom and a related synthetic compound after local reports showed the substances are available in area shops and convenience stores. The warnings matter to Beltrami County residents because kratom can act as a stimulant at low doses and produce opioid like sedation at higher doses, and some users have reported withdrawal symptoms similar to opioid withdrawal.
County and public health leaders in Beltrami County issued a public warning on November 19, 2025 about kratom and the synthetic compound 7 hydroxymitragynine, citing concerns about health effects, addiction, and local availability. Officials told the Pioneer that community members have used kratom, including people with prior opioid use, and that withdrawal from kratom can mirror opioid withdrawal. Health officials emphasized that effects range from stimulant like responses at lower doses to opioid like sedation at higher doses, and that the substances may be addictive.
Beltrami County case manager Kami Kelm and members of the county youth advisory task force have flagged kratom sales in the community. The youth advisory group identified liquid drinks containing 7 hydroxymitragynine on convenience store shelves, and a Pioneer survey of 16 area shops found kratom products in a subset of those businesses. The presence of ready to consume liquids in places frequented by young people raised particular concern among the task force.
The regulatory landscape adds complexity for residents seeking clear guidance. Kratom is legal at the federal level. Minnesota law allows natural kratom for people 18 and older while some other jurisdictions have enacted bans. That patchwork of rules means availability and oversight vary by place, and local officials said that can complicate prevention and outreach efforts.
County health partners have begun outreach to inform stores schools and community groups about risks and to encourage safer practices around sales and storage. Local responders and treatment providers are monitoring reports of kratom use and withdrawal as they would for other substances with dependence potential. For individuals with past opioid use the transition to or from kratom can present unique risks, officials said to the Pioneer.
As awareness grows in Beltrami County, officials urge residents to treat kratom products with caution and to seek medical advice if they experience troubling symptoms. The county plans to continue tracking availability and to coordinate education and prevention efforts with regional health partners and community organizations.
