Nonprofit Launches Documentary to Counter Kratom Industry Claims

The film, available at stopthemagicians.org, highlights the human cost of the kratom epidemic through stories of addiction and loss. Dean Francis, who founded the organization after his son nearly died from kratom use, argues that the industry employs deceptive marketing tactics similar to those once used by pharmaceutical companies to push opioids. The documentary serves as a focal point for a broader campaign urging parents and policymakers to confront the risks of products often labeled as pure, natural leaves.

Controversy surrounds the industry’s lobbying efforts, which have successfully blocked FDA attempts to classify kratom as a Schedule I substance. Critics point to the American Kratom Association, noting that its leadership includes figures previously involved in the synthetic cannabinoid market. While industry groups often blame newer, semi-synthetic variants for safety concerns, public health experts emphasize that mitragynine—the plant's primary alkaloid—converts into a potent opioid within the body. With the American Medical Association advocating for a ban on retail sales, the documentary aims to strip away the "natural" label and expose the addictive reality of the product.