HHS Recommends Scheduling 7-OH, Sparking Division in Kratom Industry
HHS's recommendation to schedule 7-OH has split the kratom industry, with some advocating regulation and others fearing a broader crackdown
Key Points
- 1HHS recommends scheduling 7-OH as a Schedule I substance
- 2The kratom community is divided over the proposed scheduling
- 37-OH products are more potent than natural kratom leaf
- 4Kratom industry fears a potential crackdown on all kratom products
- 5Debate occurs amid ongoing U.S. opioid crisis
The recent announcement by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to recommend the scheduling of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) has ignited a significant debate within the kratom community. The FDA and HHS's proposal to classify 7-OH as a Schedule I substance, due to its high potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use, has divided industry stakeholders. This move has prompted both support and opposition from various kratom advocacy groups, highlighting a complex landscape of interests and concerns
Kratom, a herbal substance derived from a tropical tree, contains psychoactive compounds that offer stimulant effects at low doses and sedative effects at higher doses. While the plant remains federally legal, the emergence of potent 7-OH products in recent years has raised alarms. These products, which are more powerful and selective for opioid receptors than natural kratom, have proliferated in the market, leading to calls for regulation
The American Kratom Association (AKA) and other organizations have historically opposed bans on kratom, successfully rallying public support against previous attempts to schedule the plant's alkaloids. However, the current situation is different, with some groups now advocating for the scheduling of 7-OH, arguing that it poses unique risks. This shift has created a rift among kratom supporters, with concerns that targeting 7-OH could eventually lead to a broader crackdown on kratom itself
Industry figures like Vince Sanders, whose company manufactures 7-OH products, argue that these isolates represent an advancement over traditional kratom. Yet, scientific voices caution against the unregulated nature of these products, pointing out issues with transparency and ethical marketing. Dr. Chris McCurdy, a kratom scientist, has found inconsistencies in product contents, highlighting the need for regulation rather than outright bans
The debate over 7-OH's future is set against a backdrop of ongoing opioid crises in the United States, where alternatives like kratom and its derivatives are seen as potential lifelines for some users. Dr. Kirsten Smith, a researcher with experience in both kratom studies and the criminal justice system, warns against criminalizing 7-OH, advocating instead for nuanced regulation. As the kratom industry grapples with these challenges, the outcome of the 7-OH scheduling proposal will likely have far-reaching implications