Attorney General James Uthmeier has enacted an emergency rule that classifies 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 form of isolated or concentrated 7-OH within 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 expressed support for Florida’s action, stating: “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 (FDACS), referenced earlier efforts to address kratom concerns: “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 commented on public health risks: “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 acknowledged federal warnings about 7-OH: “We are here today because Dr. Marty Makary and the FDA have alerted us to the dangers of 7 OH,” he said. “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 also noted increased exposure in younger populations: “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.
Isolated or concentrated forms of 7-OH are much more potent than what occurs naturally in whole kratom leaves; these products often appear as extracts or capsules sold at retail outlets such as gas stations or vape shops.
Recent data from local agencies indicate rising emergency room visits linked with kratom use among people under age 25 across Florida communities.
With its new classification as Schedule I—a category reserved for substances like heroin or fentanyl analogs—law enforcement can now remove these products from stores statewide.
This measure follows earlier actions by Attorney General Uthmeier aimed at restricting access by youth to harmful substances marketed toward them.
