How Kratom, an Addictive Gas Station Drug, Found Allies in Trump’s Cabinet

Summary

Kratom, a plant-based substance sold at gas stations that mimics opioid effects, has gained unexpected backing from Trump administration officials including Senator Markwayne Mullin and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The kratom industry is leveraging this political support to shape favorable federal policy. Mullin holds financial stakes in a company positioned to profit from the regulatory push, raising questions about the intersection of personal financial interest and public health policymaking. The situation highlights how niche industries can find allies within administrations to advance their commercial agendas.