The U.S. Cracks Down on ‘Gas Station Heroin’: August 28, 2026
Summary
The main story examines the DEA's crackdown on synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine, a potent kratom derivative, while highlighting conflicts of interest within the Trump administration that may be driving the ban to benefit natural kratom producers. Other top stories include the rising death toll from catastrophic flooding in Nepal and Tibet, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook's legal fight against her dismissal, and the death of war criminal Ratko Mladic. The episode also covers new data showing ICE arrests are primarily targeting immigrants without criminal records. Finally, brief updates incl…
Topics discussed
Intro and Lake Ontario renaming
Nepal and Tibet flooding death toll
Fed Governor Lisa Cook firing dispute
Death of Ratko Mladic
ICE arrests of non-criminal immigrants
DEA crackdown on Kratom 7-OH
Regulatory thresholds and industry conflict
Pharmacology and overdose risks of 7-OH
Harm reduction and user demographics
Political conflicts of interest in Kratom policy
Expert analysis on regulation and market
Other news: US, World, and Business
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