DOJ Moves on 7-OH, Sold as Kratom, and the Industry Heads to Capitol Hill

The Justice Department on October 9 announced updated emergency scheduling actions targeting 7-hydroxymitragynine, known as 7-OH, and three potent opioid substances related to it: mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI), MGM-15 and MGM-16. The notice appears on the department's news listings.

The American Kratom Association answered Monday with two events this week. The association, a 501(c)(4) advocacy group, holds a press conference on the U.S. Capitol grounds at 11:00 a.m. ET Tuesday and a congressional briefing in the Rayburn House Office Building at 9:00 a.m. ET Wednesday. Both feature its policy leadership, scientific experts and Americans the group says were harmed by synthetic products falsely marketed as kratom.

The association describes the October 9 action as the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration adopting Department of Health and Human Services recommendations that distinguish natural botanical kratom from chemically manipulated 7-OH and MGPI products. Those recommendations set concentration and ratio thresholds for Schedule I control of 7-OH and MGPI, the group says.

The group also plans to take on what it calls media mischaracterizations of botanical kratom, in particular coverage of the University of Mississippi investigations. It says labeling synthetics as kratom is dangerous, and that HHS, DOJ and DEA now draw that line. The association says it backs age restrictions, accurate labeling, contaminant testing and strong enforcement against adulterated or chemically manipulated products sold under the kratom name.

Why it matters

The Justice Department announced updated emergency scheduling actions targeting 7-OH and three potent opioid substances related to it.

Where the line falls between natural leaf and a chemically manipulated product decides what stays legal to sell, by the association's account.

Lawmakers and staff hear the science, and from people the group says synthetics harmed, at Wednesday's briefing.