7-Hydroxymitragynine Legality: State-by-State Guide 2026

"One of which is 7-hydroxymitragynine. And that one has some concerning Open Kratom opioid effects." He is also recommending that all existing and future synthetic kratom compounds be banned as well. “There is no accepted medical use for kratom in Ohio, and it is an imminent public health risk. There is an effort in the Missouri legislature to regulate kratom and similar products. The measure also makes natural kratom, delta-7 THC and delta-8 THC available only to people over 21. They are chemically altered substances that carry potent opioid-like effects and pose an imminent threat to consumers,” Mac Haddow, senior fellow on public policy at AKA, said in a statement.

• The American Kratom Association, which has fought restrictions on the plant for years, praised the FDA’s crackdown on 7-OH.
• Experts say it is widely available across the state and has earned the nickname “gas station heroin” for its addictive properties and opioid-like effects at higher doses.
• “Further, the unproven treatments could cause patients to forego or delay FDA-approved treatments for opioid addiction or withdrawal.”
• While this week’s kratom news focuses on concentrated 7-OH, our whole-leaf powder and capsules remain unaffected.
• A woman in California says she maxed out at least two credit cards to fuel her addiction − and now she doesn’t know what the future holds for herself or her 9-year-old son.
• Mix and match any natural-leaf strains in a 5-kilo bulk bundle — the best value for regular buyers who want to lock in current pricing.

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• You don’t know how long the product has been on the shelf, much less where it comes from or how it was made.
• Some of these souped-up products contain 109% to 509% more 7-OH than what’s naturally in the plant.
• To some, kratom offers relief from pain or opioid addiction.
• Available widely in gas stations and convenience stores across the US, the opioid-like substance is drawing scrutiny for its potent effects and high risk of abuse.
• In a Tuesday press release, the HHS announced that the FDA is recommending a scheduling action to control these products under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
• Even the most potent cannabis flower is 20-25% THC, but shatter and waxes have 70-95% THC.

Natural kratom remains legal for adults, but enhanced products face scrutiny. It's best to store all kratom and kava products away from children or pets. Interested in more 7-hydroxymitragynine products (also known as 7 Hydro)? Former NASCAR driver Jack Smith, who became addicted to Percocet after breaking his neck twice, credits kratom for helping him overcome opioid dependence and manage chronic pain.

Just weeks prior to his death, Brandon Clarke was arrested for possession of kratom. These types of products are here to stay, but we must ensure we continue to access them legally as the situation evolves. Reputable vendors will not ship to states where their products are prohibited. Concentrated 7-OH products isolate this single compound at much higher levels. Natural kratom contains dozens of alkaloids, with 7-OH comprising less than 2% of total content. No. 7-OH is one alkaloid found in kratom leaves.

How to Measure Kratom Safely

A bill introduced by Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson would classify these products as "intoxicating substances." Only FDA-approved products could be sold — and only to people 21 and older. Philadelphia is considering a crackdown on smoke shops and the sale of so-called "gas station heroin" and other unregulated kratom and hemp-derived products. These schedules mimic the federal controlled substances schedule that was created by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, where substances are scheduled depending on their medical usefulness and potential for addiction or abuse.

As part of the settlement, the company changed its labeling stating "Feel Free is for those 21 and older," and added "…like caffeine and alcohol, can become habit-forming and harmful to your health if consumed irresponsibly." "We just don't know what it does long term, and we don't have a good safety profile for this substance, " Miao said. Botanic Tonics disagrees and says when used as directed by healthy adults, Feel Free presents no significant or unreasonable risk. Some of the most often cited reasons for taking it include treating chronic pain, depression and anxiety, but no uses are approved by the FDA. On Tiktok, Chris Oflyng described a product he's been consuming. Kratom may also help with withdrawals from substance use.

Maloney says she soon fell into a debilitating kratom addiction, one that eventually had her drinking upward of 10 kratom drinks a day. Federal efforts to schedule kratom have failed before, though the FDA has not greenlit consuming it or using it medically. A temporary ban on Ohio kratom sales was created by an executive order from DeWine in December and was set to expire in June.

Last year, California was on its way to having statewide regulation for kratom products. The passage of this legislation follows the passage of two landmark laws last year that prohibit the sale of kratom to anyone under 21 years old and another that requires all kratom products have a full list of ingredients. Check out the newest kratom products for sale in the Happy Hippo line-up! Unlike opioids, kratom is not derived from the poppy plant, but recent research has raised concerns about the addictive properties in kratom extracts and synthetic versions of the plant.

The substance, commonly known as 7-OH or synthetic kratom, contains concentrated levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine, a compound derived from the kratom plant. But many medical experts and state lawmakers say all forms of kratom are dangerous and can even be deadly, though people who use it claim it helps them manage pain without opioids or other drugs. The kratom plant has been used as an alternative to opioids, sometimes as people wean off heroin, and as a natural pain reliever. Some of the people USA TODAY spoke with say their addiction was just to products with kratom, and they never tried ones with synthetic 7-OH. “You market kratom products for the treatment or cure of opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms. They’ve banned 7-OH and other “synthetic” versions of kratom, as well as natural leaf kratom, due to fears they can cause addiction and overdoses..

Kratom may interact with other substances, including alcohol, leading to potentially life-threatening complications. Little is known about kratom dosage guidelines for depression and anxiety. Compared to other strains, Borneo kratom is considered to have a more sedating effect. At low doses, it’s said to provide energy and focus along with pain relief. Maeng da refers to several different types of purportedly strong and long-lasting kratom.