Kratom has had its share of critics over the years, but the past few months have marked a distinct escalation. Following a nonbinding resolution out of Tennessee calling for a statewide ban, the rhetoric around kratom—particularly its derivatives—has intensified. What began as a legislative trend quickly ballooned into a broader conversation about public health, moral panic, and the changing nature of consumer protection. In the process, one compound has become a lightning rod: 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7OH.
A minor alkaloid found naturally in kratom leaf, 7OH has recently gained traction as a synthesized product in the smoke shop space. It’s a top seller. It’s also the flashpoint for growing tension between advocates of plant-based wellness and those calling for tighter regulation—or outright bans. The stakes are high: if 7OH is seen as synonymous with kratom, the entire category could face blowback. If it’s treated as a distinct, regulated product, it might represent a new chapter in harm reduction.
At HQ, we don’t shy away from controversy, but we also don’t exist to tear down legitimate players in the industry. We chose instead to invite both perspectives to weigh in—those calling for caution, and those advocating for a clearer understanding of what 7OH is and what role it plays. You’ll find both views on the following pages. The conversation may be uncomfortable, but it’s one the industry needs to have.
Intro by Aya Datura
Two views. One hot-button issue. Keep reading for the big picture.
Trouble Brewing in Tennessee & beyond | Kratom’s Uncertain Future: Another Backlash is Building. Is 7OH the Culprit?
By Matt Weeks
When both chambers of Tennessee’s legislature voted in April in favor of a nonbinding resolution to ban kratom, it did more than signal that residents should stock up on the herb while they can. It notched a win for a new kind of healthcare debate—one that could shape the conversation around smoke shop staples for the foreseeable future.
Like many other states, Tennessee had adopted a series of laws prior to 2024 that regulated kratom in more traditional ways: they banned synthetic versions and restricted sales to those over 21. But the last year has produced a flurry of harsh bills aimed at eradicating the herb. The Volunteer State’s resolution hews closer to laws in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, and Wisconsin that ban kratom outright, due to what lawmakers claim is its potential to do harm. But what’s different about the new bills coming out of places like Tennessee isn’t their outcome—it’s the salesmanship.
Nearly every new anti-kratom proposal in the last year has been tied to the death of a young person—a tragedy prohibitionists claim was caused by kratom. The fact that the data doesn’t support these stories isn’t just beside the point, however. Moving past the numbers is the point.
For America, science is taking a backseat to emotions in a new way; kratom bans are simply another test case. If the counterculture industry hopes to survive, it will need to master the politics of emotional truths.
A Changing Approach to Healthcare
When science skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, it reflected a long-coming change in the country’s healthcare discussion. It should be noted that many in this space were excited at his inclusion in the new administration’s cabinet. Some likely voted red simply because of his last-minute addition to the MAGA ranks. There are plenty of reasons for this. As a proponent of natural medicine, the junior Kennedy has been a long-time advocate of cannabis legalization and opponent of Big Pharma’s myriad missteps and overreaches. However, it’s a mixed bag at best. As a proud graduate of 12-step recovery programs and fierce advocate of natural remedies, it could be argued that his view of healthcare comes as much from faith and instinct as cold data, and that’s a double-edged sword in the current climate.
Though practitioners may howl at Kennedy’s ascension, his subjective approach to scientific inquiry squares with how most Americans approach the topic. After fumbling through the COVID pandemic, the country lost interest in the Anthony Fauci school of wait-and-see doctoring. It didn’t help that establishment voices admitted they were wrong to shutter schools, which made community responses feel like failures of medical science instead of political malfeasance.
And though he may take the heat, Kennedy is just a symptom. The concept of scientific consensus is on its way out. With fewer medical scientists working at both the federal and university levels, and even less funding to go around, there’s little chance that experts can form broad agreements about new substances and treatments. With healthcare costs rising and new threats like bird flu looming, nobody has time to wait for data. The American public wants answers now, and that means trusting the side with the best story.
As a test case for this new emotion-over-reality healthcare approach, the kratom laws reveal interesting divides. Consider this: about 24 million Americans use kratom. The last two years have seen explosive growth. In 2023 and 2024, kratom consumption grew by 12% and 17%, respectively. The herb carries nationwide appeal, but it’s primarily valued in conservative areas, where consumers like its low price, anti-establishment ethic, and ability to increase energy and especially reduce pain. It’s a blue-collar wonder drug. Yet politicians representing the most-affected areas can’t stand it. Why?
Matthew Lowe, executive director of the Global Kratom Coalition, says that it all comes down to 7OH—an alkaloid found naturally in kratom that has recently been synthesized in labs.
“In kratom leaf, 7OH occurs in such small amounts, about half a percent, that it’s not a concern. But when you amplify it by a hundred times, it’s 30 times more potent than morphine. When that’s put on the market, it’s really just an unapproved new drug. It’s a novel product marketed to treat opioid disorder and chronic pain, so you’ve got a real issue where a consumer can walk into a smoke shop and pick up kratom leaf, with a known alkaloid profile, or . . . a semi-synthetic opioid more potent than morphine,” he said.
“These… ultra-potent products are masquerading as dietary supplements. This is a problem for public health, and it’s completely illegal. What they’re doing is creating confusion and conflation. When someone has a bad experience with kratom, and you ask what they had and they say, ‘I took 7,’ well, that’s not kratom. Yet, for many legislators who listen to these stories, they hear the word ‘kratom’ and all nuance gets lost.”
A Dangerous Substance Used for Centuries
While we don’t know everything about kratom, it’s clear many claims about it are overblown. Scientific literature ranks it just above caffeine in terms of dependency. When someone dies after using kratom, it almost always appears alongside other drugs in their system—usually opiates and/or alcohol. And there’s little proof that it’s dangerous at any level.
But those facts are distractions from the story. In Tennessee, lawmakers proudly acknowledged they were working on behalf of a mother whose son died because the kratom he took interacted with his prescribed medication and killed him. In reality, the cause of death was never publicly released. In his obituary, the family asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a local rehab clinic he’d recently attended.
Could kratom be to blame? Possibly. It’s more likely that the young man died from other drugs in his system. But no one wants to correct a grieving mother on technical details—especially when she testifies before lawmakers just one day after her son passed.
And she’s not alone. Parents have played crucial roles in the rollout of state anti-kratom bills. New Jersey’s proposal to classify kratom as a controlled dangerous substance goes by the moniker “CJ’s Law” after another young man whose mother became politically active about the substance.
And more are coming. As of May 1, state lawmakers had proposed over 70 pieces of kratom legislation—many of them outright bans. So far, common sense legislation is winning (Mississippi, for example, considered eight bans before finally settling on regulations that keep kratom legal) but the proliferation is troubling. The anti-kratom brigade is marshalling their forces, and they may have hit upon a winning strategy.
The tools of the pro-kratom lobby are education and science—two subjects that have come squarely under fire from the federal government. Despite that, however, Lowe remains optimistic.
“It’s fear that drives knee-jerk reactions and prohibition,” he said. “If you hear some of the stories around this product, you would believe that this shouldn’t be on the market, but then you’ve got the leaf, then the extracts, then the synthetics, and where do you draw the line? That’s difficult. It’s made more difficult because there’s no central guidance. But that could be changing. The FDA has done its first single-dose trial, and you’re going to see them come forward with a more nuanced viewpoint on this market.”
In the meantime, everyone in the industry has a role to play in keeping kratom legal.
“The first line of defense is the industry itself—to know what’s good, what’s bad, and put out products that are safe. I’d say the same for retailers. I’ve spoken to countless smoke shop owners who say, ‘We sell [7OH] because it sells.’ But that isn’t kratom. I understand you’re trying to make money, but there’s got to be a moral compass here. There needs to be a concerted effort to not stock those products.”
An Argument for 7OH: The Experts Weigh In
A Thoughtful & Measured Defense of the Industry’s Hottest Selling Product
By Aya Datura
There’s no question that 7OH, the minor alkaloid of the kratom plant, has sparked massive controversy and consternation in the space. It stands to reason. Despite this industry’s love affair with extracts and concentrates of all varieties, there is still an underlying distrust of the processed and synthesized, a natural inclination to trust botany over pharmaceuticals.
The industry is virtually split on what to do with the compound. Its detractors cite its alleged potency as a danger not only to consumers, but to kratom’s very legality. Its proponents, on the other hand, have a very different take.
To explore this perspective, we spoke with Jeff Smith, PhD, Media Director of the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART). HART was formed in 2023 to provide education to consumers about the safety and efficacy of holistic alternative recovery solutions and to advocate before Congress and state legislatures to promote responsible regulations of plant-based recovery products. Not surprisingly to anyone who’s spent time as an entrepreneur in this niche industry, Jeff emphasizes responsible use and regulation over alarmism—and insists that the potential harm reduction offered by the product far outweighs the alleged pitfalls.
Understanding 7OH: More Than a Single Story
7OH, or 7-hydroxymitragynine, is a naturally occurring alkaloid in kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) as well as a metabolite of another primary alkaloid, mitragynine. When consumed, mitragynine can convert to 7OH in the human body, contributing to its effects. While critics have expressed concerns over its potency, Jeff emphasized the importance of context.
“7OH is a metabolite of mitragynine, which means that when you ingest mitragynine, your liver metabolizes it… if you take a hundred milligrams of mitragynine, you’re probably getting around 25 milligrams of 7OH,” he explained. He further noted that even those who only consume kratom leaf are naturally exposed to 7OH through this metabolic process.
A Distinct Product, Not Standard Kratom
One of the most significant concerns with 7OH is that it is often treated as simply another form of kratom. But many kratom advocates see this as a dangerous mischaracterization. Their primary concern is that by associating 7OH with kratom, the compound’s risks—whether real or perceived—could harm the plant’s public perception and even lead to regulatory bans affecting all kratom products.
In fact, a year ago, Mac Haddow of the American Kratom Association told us directly that his organization did not view 7OH as a kratom product and insisted it should be a separate category. However, for HART, this isn’t even a point of contention. They agree wholeheartedly with the assertion and support its adoption both in labeling and in the language of incoming regulations.
“We’ve always made it clear that 7OH is a distinct product category, and it should be labeled and marketed as such. That avoids confusion and ensures consumers know exactly what they are getting,” Jeff explained.
By clearly distinguishing 7OH from standard kratom, HART believes it can protect consumer choice and ensure that kratom itself is not unfairly targeted because of the actions of manufacturers marketing 7OH products.
Safety Profile and Real-World Use
But what about the potency? Skeptics of 7OH have cited studies showing the compound to be stronger than morphine, tossing around multiples anywhere from 15, up to 100 in their rhetoric. The logic is that a compound that strong shouldn’t be put in the hands of everyday consumers.
However, according to Jeff, this narrative doesn’t align with the real-world data. “We’ve seen 7OH used around half a billion times globally without any documented deaths, without serious hospitalizations, and without any significant adverse events,” he emphasized.
This aligns with the findings of the Henningfield Science Update (2021), which concluded that kratom—including 7OH—has a low potential for abuse and is significantly safer than opioids. Jeff emphasized that while potency can be a factor in risk, it does not automatically equate to harm.
Real-World Benefits: 7OH as an Alternative Amid the Opioid Crisis
While the debate over 7OH often focuses on potential risks, Jeff pointed to a far less discussed aspect—the tangible benefits it provides to consumers, particularly those seeking relief from chronic pain or looking to avoid opioids. “This is a product that can help people. We’ve seen it aid those trying to avoid opioids. We’ve seen it used safely and responsibly by countless consumers,” Jeff emphasized.
HART has gathered testimonials from consumers who describe 7OH as a lifeline—a way to manage pain without the devastating risks associated with prescription opioids. Some consumers have reported that it has helped them reduce their dependency on narcotics, providing a gentler, plant-based alternative without the severe risks of overdose.
Jeff also highlighted how, in a world grappling with an ongoing opioid crisis—where more than 200 Americans die from opioid overdoses every day—having alternatives like 7OH available can be a crucial part of harm reduction. “The choice isn’t between a perfect solution and 7OH—it’s often between 7OH and something far more dangerous,” he noted.
Rather than viewing 7OH as a threat, Jeff argued, regulators and health advocates should see it as an opportunity—an option that, with proper regulation, could help save lives.
“It’s not hurting people, but boy is it helping people . . . people who are addicted to opioids or trying to get off of opioids.”
Regulatory Solutions Over Prohibition
HART advocates for clear regulations rather than sweeping bans. “We support clear labeling, age restrictions, and transparency around product contents,” Jeff explained. Missouri’s HB 1037, a state-level version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), is one example of how this approach works. The law mandates accurate labeling, prohibits sales to minors, and enforces product quality standards.
A Path Forward: Education and Regulation
Jeff and HART believe that the best way forward is not through fear-driven bans but through responsible, transparent regulation. “This is a product that can help people. We’ve seen it aid those trying to avoid opioids. We’ve seen it used safely and responsibly by countless consumers,” He reiterated.
HART continues to advocate before Congress and state legislatures, pushing for policies that ensure product quality, clear labeling, and consumer education—focusing on informed choice over outright prohibition.
The rise of 7OH has placed it at the intersection of consumer demand, regulatory debate, and industry tension. For some, it represents a breakthrough—an alternative that can help those seeking relief without the devastating risks of opioids. For others, it’s a troubling development, a product whose association with kratom risks tainting the plant’s reputation.
But whether viewed as a threat or a tool, 7OH is a product that has sparked a conversation—one that shows no sign of ending soon. In the evolving landscape of plant-based wellness, where consumer safety and industry integrity often collide, 7OH stands as a test case. How it is understood, regulated, and marketed will likely set a precedent for how emerging compounds are handled in the years to come.
“We think it’s an issue of medical freedom,” Jeff added. “We think that public safety is a critical consideration, which is why we were heartened to see the DEA, FDA, and HHS come to the conclusion that they did… The way forward right now is trench warfare in every state to try to make sure that a product that is saving people’s lives—not our words, but in their words—is accessible.”
