What’s behind kratom giant Botanic Tonics donating $500K to RFK-aligned PAC? | Opinion
The Justice Department dismissed its case against Feel Free maker Botanic Tonics in December 2025, just 12 days after winning a key court ruling. Ten weeks later, the company donated $500,000 to a political group aligned with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
FULL STORY: How a kratom giant got what it wanted from RFK and new Homeland Security chief | Opinion
Here are key takeaways:
• The case: In April 2023, federal agents seized hundreds of thousands of bottles of Feel Free from Botanic Tonics’ Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, facility, arguing the kratom-based product was an unsafe “new dietary ingredient.” The case sat dormant for more than two years.
• The reversal: In December 2025, a judge denied the company’s motion to dismiss, clearing the way for prosecution. Within two weeks, the DOJ dropped its own case, citing expired products and resource concerns.
• The donation: Ten weeks after the dismissal, Botanic Tonics gave $500,000 to MAHA PAC, a group aligned with Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, Politico reported.
• The founder: Feel Free founder J.W. Ross was previously known as Jerry Cash, who served federal prison time for diverting roughly $10 million from an oil and gas company to fund a lavish lifestyle.
• The Homeland Security tie: Newly appointed Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin disclosed in financial filings that part of his $60 million net worth comes from a stake in Botanic Tonics — despite publicly condemning kratom-industry practices in July alongside Kennedy.
• The industry split: Ross founded the Global Kratom Coalition to legitimize traditional kratom while federal regulators crack down on synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products sold by competitors like Kansas City-based CBD American Shaman.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.