As the spotlight on natural Kratom and Kratom-derived products intensifies in the United States, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced an emergency ban on products containing the highly-concentrated Kratom alkaloid called 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH.

The emergency rule, effective immediately, makes it illegal to sell, possess or distribute any isolated or concentrated form of 7-OH in the state. In 2023, the state prohibited the sale of Kratom to people under age 21 but legislation to regulate or ban its sale or use altogether has not passed.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 7-OH is a concentrated compound derived from the Kratom plant. State officials warn that while these products are often marketed as natural health or wellness supplements, they can cause addiction, overdoses and other serious health risks.

7-OH products are frequently sold at gas stations, vape shops and convenience stores as gummies, drinks, and powders. The, up to now, unregulated compound binds to opioid receptors and can be more potent than morphine, health officials warn.

“It’s clearly something more potent than morphine that should not be sitting on a shelf next to Skittles,” Uthmeier said.

The FDA noted that 7-OH “is increasingly recognized as having potential for abuse because of its ability to bind to opioid receptors.”

Uthmeier added that the substance can be highly addictive and poses a significant overdose risk.

“It’s very dangerous. We’ve seen it marketed and targeted to kids,” he said. “We want Florida to be the safest place to raise a family, and we’re taking emergency action now because we see immediate danger.”

FDA Commissioner Dr Marty Makary, said vape shops across the country are selling addictive products like concentrated 7-OH, warning that the nation cannot afford to be unprepared for another opioid crisis.

“7-OH is an opioid that can be more potent than morphine,” Makary said. “We need regulation and public education to prevent another wave of the epidemic.” He cautioned that the concentrated synthetic drug could represent the “fourth wave” of the opioid crisis.

Dr. Cory Howard of Florida Poison Control in Tampa said many consumers have no idea how dangerous the substance is.

“They can easily find it on store shelves and in gas stations,” he said. “I’ve seen it in pills, gummies, candy-like drinks, powdered tea mixes, shots, and so-called wellness supplements.”

Howard reported receiving 191 calls over the past year related to 7-OH exposure. He said the drug remains unregulated, is not just marketed to children, and is showing up in unexpected places.

“I’m even seeing it with truck drivers who think it’s a wellness supplement to help them stay awake - only to end up in the ER days later with opioid addiction,” Howard said.