San Francisco has recorded its first fatal overdose caused by a new and extremely potent opioid found in products sometimes sold at smoke shops and gas stations.
On Wednesday, city health officials issued a public warning about the drug, known as MGM-15, which is derived from kratom, a psychoactive plant extract that’s become increasingly popular in recent years.
MGM-15 is not approved for medical use and estimated to be up to 50 times more potent than morphine. The drug, which has been detected in products marketed as “uncaria tomentosa” or “cat’s claw,” has also been identified in Utah and Washington…