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A New Jersey man claims he became severely addicted to kratom drinks and it landed him in rehab — after he spent more than $60,000 in two years on the habit, according to a lawsuit.
Evan Eichhorn, of Haddon Heights, alleged that CBD Kratom, a chain of retail stores, and its parent company, MNG Brands, sold him an extremely addictive substance marketed as “an energy boosting pre-workout,” according to a proposed class action lawsuit.
Eichhorn claimed in the March 14 Pennsylvania Federal Court filing that the stores failed to warn customers of the risk from the drinks.
The 34-year-old was working in Philadelphia as a building engineer in 2024 when he allegedly became intrigued by a sign promoting the drinks containing the hybrid drug that mimics the effects of an opioid.
Kratom is legal in most states — including Pennsylvania and New Jersey — but it is not FDA approved.
In fact, the FDA has issued several warnings about 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), one of kratom’s components, which causes users to feel “high,” and urged for 7-OH to be placed on the federal government’s list of restricted illegal drugs.
Eichhorn allegedly became hooked after his first sip, he said in the lawsuit.
“Upon drinking his first beverage …Eichhorn experienced a feeling of euphoria,” the filing reads.
He began chugging down 16 cans of the drink each day — buying them at various CBD Kratom stores in Philly and ordering them online when he was at home. There are no CBD Kratom stores in New Jersey.
Allegedly unable to quit, Eichhorn went to rehab in March 2025 and was given suboxone, used to treat opioid withdrawal, to come off the drug.
CBD Kratom and MNG Brands did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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