OXFORD, Miss. (WTVA) – The American Kratom Association held a press conference Wednesday morning in front of the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, disputing how the agency labeled kratom in its investigation into the deaths of two Ole Miss students.

Association questions investigation

The association said it does not want kratom associated with what was found by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office during the investigation.

The group said raw, real kratom is safe.

“And not being misled by a law enforcement official or a group of them that is simply trying to make political points rather than finding the truth,” the American Kratom Association said.

The Lafayette County Metro Narcotics unit released a statement Wednesday regarding the investigation.

The statement clarified that packaging associated with kratom-related products was discovered at the scene of both deaths.

The statement also said officers raided Puffs Vape Tobacco and Beer store on Heritage Drive, where they seized more than 500 units of products containing kratom-related substances, THC, and other controlled substances.

Officers arrested two people in connection with the investigation.

The American Kratom Association said the investigation was used to make natural kratom look bad.

Residents describe use of natural kratom

Sherry Owings, a resident of Amory, takes natural kratom as an alternative to pain medicine to help with nerve damage following a car accident.

She said synthetic kratom, not the natural leaf, is the problem.

“But the kratom leaf has been here decades. We haven’t heard of anyone that has been harmed until this synthetic started coming out,” Owings said. “I don’t understand how the gas stations are getting away with having a pharmacy in their gas station. The leaf is not a pill.”

Lee County joined several north Mississippi counties in banning kratom as a whole earlier this month.

Shere Carrillo, of Saltillo, has dealt with iron deficiency most of her life and takes pure leaf kratom to help her function with the condition.

She said she is disappointed in the kratom ban and blames synthetic kratom for giving the drug a bad reputation.

“They get labeled as kratom, and it’s not kratom. It’s not pure-leaf kratom,” Carrillo said. “It’s a completely different thing. And I’m not sure why they are labeling that as kratom.”

Students react

Regardless of whether it is whole leaf natural kratom or synthetic, it carries a criminal charge.

Several Ole Miss students said they did not know there was a difference between natural and synthetic kratom, but agreed that synthetic kratom, and where it can be purchased, is a concern.

“I don’t think it’s smart,” said Gigi Urbon, a student. “I don’t think it’s smart to do drugs in general. But if you’re getting it from a gas station, that’s not super promising. I guess maybe it should be if you are getting it from an actual store.”

Toxicology reports on the two students are expected in the coming days or weeks.

The American Kratom Association said it does not expect the reports to show real kratom.