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FLORIDA - Florida officials are taking emergency action to ban 7-hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH, a concentrated compound derived from the kratom plant.
Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the move, citing concerns over its high potential for addiction and overdose.
According to Uthmeier, 7-OH has been increasingly marketed in ways that could expose children and families to harm.
The substance binds to opioid receptors in the brain, which can create significant dependence and increase the risk of accidental overdose.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies 7-OH as a potent kratom byproduct and warns that it may be more powerful than morphine.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H., highlighted the potential dangers, noting that vape and specialty stores have begun selling concentrated 7-OH products.
He said the combination of availability and potency could contribute to another wave of opioid-related health issues if left unregulated.
Florida’s emergency ban temporarily prohibits the sale, distribution, and marketing of 7-OH while state regulators develop long-term rules.
The action is intended to prevent immediate risks to public safety.
State officials are urging parents and consumers to remain cautious of products labeled as herbal or natural that may contain dangerously concentrated opioids.
Experts note that while kratom has been used in traditional medicine, concentrated forms like 7-OH pose significant health risks.
Florida’s emergency measures aim to reduce exposure and prevent potential overdose deaths while creating a framework for ongoing regulation.