LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A New Jersey man alleges he became addicted to an herbal tonic supplement due its active ingredient kratom, which affects opioid receptors in the brain.
C.C., individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint May 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Botanic Tonics LLC alleging violation of California's Unfair Competition Law and other claims.
The plaintiff alleges in his complaint that he has purchased Botanic Tonic products since December of 2021 and claims the labeling on the Feel Free Tonic and Herbal Supplement capsules does not disclose the addictive nature of the product's active ingredient kratom. He further claims he has become very addicted to the Feel Free, which promises consumers it delivers energy, focus and a "social lift" and that kratom works on the same opioid receptors in the brain as morphine.
He also claims kratom has similar effects and risks of physical addiction and withdrawal as opiates and opioids. The plaintiff alleges Botanic Tonics intentionally and negligently failed to disclose a warning on the tonic's label in violation of state consumer laws.
The plaintiff and the class seek monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Joel Smith and Yeremey Krivoshey of Bursor & Fisher PA in Walnut Creek and Matthew Mendelsohn of Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman LLC in Roseland, New Jersey.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California case number 2:23-CV-03687