News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Drug Enforcement Administration are considering classifying 7-OH, a compound derived from the kratom plant, as a Schedule 1 controlled substance — effectively making it illegal at the federal level.

Last month, the FDA announced it was targeting the compound, which is a concentrated byproduct of the kratom plant known to relieve pain and cause feelings of euphoria, due to its “high potential for abuse.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced their intent to initiate scheduling of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a kratom-derived compound, under the Controlled Substances Act. On July 29, officials suggested placing 7-OH in Schedule I, a classification traditionally reserved for substances with a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use, and no established safety margin.

Such a move would have sweeping consequences for clinical research, product regulation, and patient access. Yet no evidence was presented to support it.

Two major national news outlets — USA Today and the New York Post
— published scathing new reports this week exposing the growing public health crisis fueled by
kratom and its unregulated derivatives. Together, the stories reveal a disturbing pattern: while
everyday Americans fall victim to addiction, withdrawal, and predatory marketing, federal
officials are refusing to go after the actual source of danger, instead targeting 7-
hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), an industry competitor that the FDA’s own databases have shown
to have far fewer adverse events.

Despite Zero Confirmed Deaths from 7-OH, Federal Officials Push Ban While Ignoring Science and Consumer Voices

This week, hired actors were spotted protesting 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) outside the CHAMPS Trade Show in Las Vegas in a desperate attempt by Big Kratom to manufacture support for their campaign to pit kratom and 7-OH customers against each other. This ridiculous incident reveals just how far industry insiders will go to manipulate public perception and protect their own profits, even if it means faking public outrage and dividing the very community they claim to serve.

In a recent letter to The Star (July 6, 18A), David Bregger spoke out against 7-OH, a natural compound in kratom used to manage pain. He suggested it might have played a role in his son’s death. What happened to the Bregger family is every parent’s worst nightmare. No parent should ever experience that loss.

Last month, the state Legislature passed two bills to regulate kratom and 7-OH, plant-derived substances that are already helping many New Yorkers manage chronic pain or recover from addiction. The bills set age requirements for purchase and ban misleading labels that put consumers at risk.

A combination of data from the FDA and two independent studies prompted a group of scientists to speak out on conversations surrounding 7-OH and its parent plant,
kratom. The science confirms the strong safety profile of 7-OH and slams the door closed on continued efforts by industry competitors to push 7-OH out of the marketplace with public smears, unfounded science, and government overreach.

7-OH comes from Kratom leaves. It’s an herbal substance, capable of producing sedative or stimulant effects. Kratom — in general — is increasingly used for treating chronic pain, according to researchers.

As someone who believes in evidence-based policy, I was encouraged to see the Missouri State Legislature take time this session to consider HB 1037 — a bill that would have created clear labeling and safety standards for kratom and kratom-derived products. It didn’t pass, but it pointed in the right direction. The next step is to get it over the finish line and make sure access to these products is preserved through smart, consistent regulation.