Newfane family urges NY governor to sign kratom ban after son's death

Key points

• Lucas Stunkel, 36, died by suicide on October 5 after using 7-OH, a synthetic kratom derivative, which he bought at a vape shop.
• The Stunkel family highlights that 7-OH is chemically altered, labeled as 'natural,' and lacks FDA regulation, allowing unverified pills to be sold online and in stores.
• New York state lawmakers passed a kratom ban in June, but it remains on the governor's desk; the family is urging immediate action to prevent further tragedies.
• Federal regulators have temporarily scheduled three compounds related to 7-OH, and the Department of Justice announced plans to restrict concentrated 7-OH, though whole-leaf kratom remains federally uncontrolled.
• Austin Public Health warns that 7-OH is a semi-synthetic opioid that can cause overdoses requiring multiple doses of naloxone for reversal.

Background

This incident follows a series of high-profile deaths linked to synthetic kratom compounds in late 2026. In October, toxicology reports linked the deaths of two University of Mississippi students to Smax pills containing MGM-15 and mitragynine. Additionally, San Francisco confirmed its first death from a synthetic opioid hidden in gas station supplements, and a new synthetic opioid, cychlorphine, has been linked to 55 deaths nationwide. These events underscore a growing national concern regarding unregulated, potent opioid-like substances sold in retail environments.

How outlets are covering it

WKBW 7 News Buffalo focuses on the personal tragedy of the Stunkel family and the specific lack of state-level enforcement in New York, emphasizing the governor's pending decision. Johns Hopkins University provides a broader epidemiological view, noting a 1,200% increase in kratom exposure cases since 2015 and detailing the complex federal regulatory history, including the 2016 DEA withdrawal and recent 2025 scheduling actions. FOX 7 Austin highlights local public health concerns in Texas, where officials note a rise in 'unknown opioids' despite a decline in fentanyl deaths, warning that 7-OH can complicate overdose reversal. The outlets differ in scope: WKBW centers on a single family's advocacy, Johns Hopkins on national trends and regulatory gaps, and FOX 7 Austin on local health metrics and the specific dangers of 7-OH potency.

Why it matters

The Stunkel family's advocacy highlights the critical gap between state legislative action and executive enforcement in New York. As 7-OH becomes more prevalent in retail settings, the lack of uniform federal regulation creates a patchwork of safety standards. The potential for 7-OH to cause severe overdoses that require multiple doses of naloxone poses a significant risk to emergency responders and families. Urging the governor to sign the ban is a direct attempt to close the regulatory loophole that allows these potent, unregulated substances to remain accessible in the state.

What to watch

The New York governor is expected to make a decision on the kratom ban bill. Federal authorities are implementing updated plans to restrict concentrated 7-OH compounds. The Stunkel family will hold a celebration of life for Lucas next month and continue their advocacy efforts. Public health officials in Texas and other states are monitoring the impact of federal scheduling actions on local availability and safety.