Florida has officially banned the sale, possession, and distribution of products containing the potent kratom derivative 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), placing it in the same legal category as heroin, LSD, and fentanyl analogs. The emergency order, signed Wednesday by Attorney General James Uthmeier, designates 7-OH as a Schedule I controlled substance, citing its high potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use.
“Due to the danger posed to the public, Florida is taking 7-OH off the shelves immediately,” Uthmeier said, warning that the substance is being marketed to teens and young adults.
While kratom has been used for ailments ranging from headaches and insomnia to opioid withdrawal, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it—or its components—for any medical use. In its natural form, kratom contains trace amounts of 7-OH, but the compound is being extracted and concentrated into tablets, gummies, drink mixes, and shots. According to the FDA, these high-potency products—often sold in gas stations, convenience stores, and vape shops—can be far more dangerous.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary noted that 7-OH can be more potent than morphine, adding, “After the last wave of the opioid epidemic, we cannot get caught flat-footed again.” The agency began targeting 7-OH products last month after reports of increased emergency room visits, particularly among people under 25.
Under the new rule, law enforcement and regulatory agencies are authorized to seize 7-OH products statewide. The classification as a Schedule I drug means harsh legal consequences for possession or sale, aligning it with substances considered to have the highest abuse risk.
Florida officials say the ban is part of a proactive effort to prevent another opioid crisis—this time sparked by a little-known but highly potent derivative of a controversial herbal supplement.