Attorney General James Uthmeier has enacted an emergency rule in Florida that immediately classifies isolated and concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) as a Schedule I controlled substance. This measure makes it illegal to sell, possess, or distribute these forms of 7-OH throughout 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 move: “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.”
Wilton Simpson, Commissioner of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, added: “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 stated: “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 from USF Health remarked: “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 also commented: “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; however, when isolated or concentrated—as found in some extracts or capsules—it becomes much more potent than its natural form. These products are often sold as wellness supplements but can cause addiction or overdose.
Recent data from local agencies indicate an uptick in emergency room visits related to kratom use among people under age 25 in Florida. The products have been available at gas stations or convenience stores with packaging aimed at younger consumers.
With its new classification as Schedule I under state law—the same category as heroin or fentanyl analogs—isolated or concentrated 7-OH now faces immediate enforcement action by authorities across retail locations statewide.
This regulatory step builds on earlier actions by Attorney General Uthmeier targeting youth-marketed addictive substances such as certain vaping products.
