Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed an emergency rule to classify isolated and concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) as a Schedule I controlled substance in Florida. The rule is effective immediately, making it illegal to sell, possess, or distribute any isolated or concentrated form of 7-OH in the state.
“Due to the danger posed to the public, Florida is taking 7-OH off the shelves immediately. This dangerous substance is being marketed to teens and young adults and has a high potential for abuse and death,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “We are grateful for President Trump and Dr. Makary for sounding the alarm—giving my office the foundation to protect Floridians.”
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary commented on the issue, saying: “Concentrated 7-OH products—which are dangerous opioids—snuck into every community in America right under our noses. I’m glad to see Florida’s state officials fighting back and educating Floridian parents, law enforcement, professionals, teachers, and community leaders about this threat.”
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Wilton Simpson stated: “A few years ago, FDACS raised the alarm on kratom. We were not able to get the support we needed during the Biden years to treat 7-OH as a Schedule I drug, but we were able to prohibit the safe and marketing to Florida’s children. This emergency rule by Attorney General Uthmeier is exactly what we need to stop the sale of ‘vape shop morphine.’ Street level drugs hurt families, ruin lives, create victims, destroy our economy, and wreak havoc on our state. Today, we fight back with the force of law through this emergency rule. Today, we make Florida and our families a little safer.”
State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo added: “Synthetic opioids derived from kratom pose a serious threat to both public and mental health. They undermine the intentions of individuals who use kratom safely and the progress we’ve made as a state to reduce overdose deaths.”
Dr. Charles J. Lockwood of USF Health also commented: “We are here today because Dr. Marty Makary and the FDA have alerted us to the dangers of 7 OH. By doing so, they have given us an opportunity to save the lives of Floridians and prevent a health crisis. I am deeply grateful to see Attorney General James Uthmeier, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, and our other state leaders seizing this moment and working to stop a spiral of deadly overdoses before it begins.”
Dr. Cory Howard from Tampa General Hospital/USF Department of Emergency Medicine said: “7-OH mitragynine is a dangerous substance not only because of its chemical makeup, high potency and risk of addiction, but also due to the marketing and accessibility of the product. We’ve seen an increase of exposure in Florida, and it is essential that we bring awareness to the grave consequences of this lethal drug,” he said.“We are grateful to FDA Commissioner Makary for his leadership in addressing this growing crisis, and we are proud to stand alongside state leaders Attorney General Uthmeier, Commissioner Simpson, and Surgeon General Ladapo as Florida leads the nation to restrict access to this dangerous substance.”
The compound 7-OH occurs naturally in kratom leaves at low levels but becomes much more potent when isolated or concentrated into extracts or powders commonly sold as supplements in stores across Florida.
There has been a recent rise in emergency room visits connected with kratom use among those under age 25 according to reports from local agencies.
Classifying these products as Schedule I places them among substances such as heroin or LSD which are considered highly addictive with no accepted medical use under Florida law.
The new rule enables immediate action by law enforcement agencies throughout Florida for removal from retail outlets.
This measure continues previous efforts by Attorney General Uthmeier aimed at restricting youth access to harmful products such as certain vaping items targeting minors.
