Mother tells committee her daughter died of kratom; urges full ban on kratom

Tia Verstice told the House Health and Welfare Committee she lost her 23‑year‑old daughter, Kylie, to "acute mitragynine intoxication," after an autopsy and toxicology screen identified mitragynine — a primary kratom alkaloid — as the cause of death. "She trusted the word natural," Verstice said, asking lawmakers to "support House Bill 864 so no other mothers have to bury their child."

Committee members asked for details about the autopsy, the length of the daughter's kratom use and underlying medical conditions. Verstice said Kylie had Ehlers‑Danlos syndrome and had used kratom powder for about two years to manage pain; she said toxicology found kratom and nicotine and an SSRI, and that no other drugs were found. Representative Levitt asked what EDS meant; Verstice described it as a connective‑tissue condition that causes chronic pain.

Verstice argued partial measures would leave loopholes. "A full ban is the only way to close loopholes and protect our communities," she said. Several legislators expressed sympathy and pressed for clarity about whether kratom leaf, extracts, or synthetic derivatives (often called 7‑OH or similar) were implicated in reported deaths and how any law would treat current users.