Kratom Industry Splits Over 7-OH Products as 12 States Move to Ban Them
Updated
Updated · WIRED · Jun 15
Kratom Industry Splits Over 7-OH Products as 12 States Move to Ban Them
1 articles · Updated · WIRED · Jun 15
Summary
Kratom advocates who once beat back a federal ban are now pushing to outlaw 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, saying the ultra-potent extract is being sold as kratom in gummies, capsules and shots despite opioid-like effects.
7-OH’s spread across thousands of gas stations and corner stores has intensified the fight, with users reporting severe withdrawal, rehab stays and overdoses involving other substances, while researchers warn many products contain poorly understood compounds.
Federal pressure has sharpened the split: FDA Commissioner Marty Makary urged the DEA last year to place 7-OH in Schedule I, HHS says it is building a regulatory framework, and 12 states have already enacted their own bans.
7-OH backers argue the compound can relieve pain, anxiety and even reduce opioid use, and warn a Schedule I listing would choke off research just as an NIH-backed kratom-related drug study moved forward on June 1.
The clash now threatens the broader $1 billion kratom market, which fears 7-OH’s reputation could trigger wider crackdowns even as some sellers pivot to new semi-synthetic derivatives.
Is the kratom industry's war on its own potent extract about public safety or market control?
As states ban a potent kratom extract, will federal action create a new black market?
The Kratom Crossroads: Navigating the Regulatory, Public Health, and Industry Divide Over 7-Hydroxymitragynine in 2026
Overview
Kratom, a product made from Southeast Asian tree leaves, has become much more popular in recent years, raising serious public health concerns. This is because kratom contains chemicals like mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), which can act like opioids and lead to addiction and high tolerance among users. The easy availability of kratom in places like gas stations and smoke shops has made the problem worse. As a result, the regulatory landscape is changing quickly, with growing awareness of kratom’s risks driving new laws and debates about how best to protect public health.