When Governor Kelly Armstrong called a rare second special legislative session for September 2026, many North Dakotans were left asking: What is Kratom, and why is it suddenly an emergency?
In this episode, guest host Greg Steeman steps in alongside Kevin Flynn to pull back the curtain on the booming, unregulated world of Kratom and its deadly synthetic derivative, 7-OH. From gas station shelves straight into local emergency rooms, this rapidly spreading, highly addictive substance is catching parents, coaches, and lawmakers off guard.
Joined by North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong, Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, and Board of Pharmacy Executive Director Mark Hardy, the team unpacks the urgency behind aligning state law with the DEA's Schedule 1 classification. Plus, stick around for a high-stakes discussion on state infrastructure projects, the thin line between border security and geopolitical ideology, and a quick check-in on the booming gold and silver markets with Landmark Capital.
Standout Moments & Timestamps
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— Kratom 101: Governor Kelly Armstrong explains why a staff lawyer's memo led to an emergency health order banning all Kratom products across the state.
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— What is Schedule 1? Gov. Armstrong clarifies what putting synthetics into the same legal tier as heroin means—and why lawmakers must act to protect law enforcement and consumers.
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— ER Nurse Reality Check: A veteran ER nurse calls in to share harrowing, firsthand experiences treating young people experiencing extreme reactions to synthetic substances over the counter.
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— $\$1.7$ Million On The Line: Senate Majority Leader David Hogue breaks down the legislative logistics of the upcoming special session, including the urgent, high-cost dilemma surrounding the state Military Museum project.
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— Mechanism of Action: Mark Hardy, PharmD, details how 7-OH and synthetic Kratom derivatives hijack the brain's opioid receptors, creating severe dependency and dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
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— Global Tensions & Civic Duty: The hosts dive into geopolitical unrest, the importance of voter turnout in local/off-year elections, and why "civic apathy" is a country's biggest threat.
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— Precious Metals Outlook: David Fisher from Landmark Capital breaks down the historic rally in gold and silver, central banks’ buying sprees, and what China’s massive gold stockpiling means for the US Dollar.