Los Angeles County to Ban Kratom and Synthetic 7-OH Products
Los Angeles County officials announced today they will immediately begin removing kratom and its synthetic derivative, 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), from retail shelves, citing public health and safety concerns.
Inspectors will begin red-tagging illegal products containing the compounds at stores next week, with non-compliant businesses facing potential fines and penalties. Kratom, an herbal extract from the Mitragyna speciosa tree, has been marketed for pain, anxiety, and mood disorders, but the emergence of the more potent synthetic 7-OH has raised alarms. Matthew Lowe, executive director of the Global Kratom Coalition, noted that natural kratom has been used for over 50 years to alleviate anxiety and treat chronic pain, but the synthetic version presents new risks.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reports six kratom-related deaths in the past few months, all involving the presence of alcohol. Officials warn that 7-OH products, often misleadingly labeled as “plant alkaloids,” can cause severe respiratory depression and death, especially when combined with other substances. The FDA has stated that kratom and 7-OH are not lawfully marketed in the U.S. as a drug product, dietary supplement, or food additive; you can find more information about FDA warnings about kratom on their website. This action comes as concerns grow about the lack of regulation in the rapidly expanding market for these substances, and the potential for accidental overdose.
Dr. Muntu Davis, the county health officer, stated, “Kratom and 7-OH products are sold as natural remedies, but they are illegal and unsafe.” Officials are urging consumers to avoid these products and retailers to remove them immediately. Similar bans have been enacted in Orange County, Newport Beach, San Diego, and Oceanside, while Riverside County is considering restrictions on sales to those under 21. The county health department will continue investigative work and enforcement to protect the public from adulterated products, building on efforts already underway for the past two years, as detailed in the Los Angeles Times report.
