Kratom is a natural herb, but it’s now an illegal drug in Arkansas. A medical examiner from the Arkansas State Crime Lab says she’s seen three cases linking kratom to deaths in 2015.



“This is not a substance that would be picked up on our typical toxicology panel,” said Jennifer Forsythe, Associate Medical Examiner.



Forsythe has linked kratom to three deaths in Arkansas in 2015 alone.



In two cases, kratom and other controlled substances were found in the victims’ blood.



In the other case Forsyth says a young man with a clean bill of health died. The only substance in his system was kratom, therefore she ruled the probable cause of his death was kratom toxicity.



“They all came with ‘this person is a known user of this substance,” she said. “There was information from friends or girlfriends, or roommates living with them about the amount that they were taking.”



One setback Forsyth mentions is she can not screen for quantitative analysis.



“The cases where I have requested this testing, and it has to be sent to an outside laboratory, I’ve made that request at the behest of the investigating agency,” said Forsyth.



There have been numerous cases like Sonya Young who, last July, told us she benefited from kratom after a major back surgery.



“Whenever I went to get up and actually get to go in again, I really felt a great sense of peace about myself,” she said.



Online, many feel the same way.



Dawn Elder said “it’s amazing how this plant has changed my way of life. Before, I was pretty depressed a lot. Now, with Kratom my pain level drops to a 3 or 4 and some days even a 2!”



“This plant has been a godsend for those of us who don’t want to take opiates for pain,” said user Vicki Charbonneau. “Kratom gives me the ability to get through my day so I don’t have to spend it in bed. It gives me energy along with a ‘feel-good’ kind of feeling. I don’t feel high when I use it. I feel quite normal and it allows me to get things accomplished.”



Forsythe says she is not an expert on the psychoactive nature of kratom, but she is now testing for a substance many medical professionals seem to know little about.



“The Fayetteville Police Department has done a great job of saying we went to the scene of this death and this is what was there,” Forsyth said. “Without their input, I would have never tested for this drug.”

This story was originally reported by Tevin Wooten. You can follow this report and more at Tevin’s Twitter or Facebook page.