US health officials have launched a major crackdown on kratom-related products, targeting an opioid-like compound known as 7-hydroxymitragynine—often called “7-OH”—after a surge of complaints from the dietary supplement industry and growing safety concerns among regulators and medical experts. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced its intention to classify 7-OH as a Schedule I controlled substance, placing it on par with substances like LSD and heroin, and recommending a nationwide ban pending Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) review (WBRZ; Yahoo News; FDA).
This decisive move comes as kratom—a plant native to Southeast Asia and traditionally used for its stimulant and analgesic properties—has become increasingly popular in the US and globally. It’s often promoted in various forms, including energy drinks, gummies, and supplements marketed at gas stations, convenience stores, and online. However, it is the isolation and synthetic manufacture of 7-OH, a much more potent opioid-like compound derived from kratom leaves, that is raising particular alarm among authorities and public health officials.
Kratom has a long history in Thailand, where it is ingrained in certain local traditions and was once widely used in rural areas. While the plant itself is still illegal in some regions, recent legal reforms have reduced penalties and opened paths for regulated research, reflecting both the cultural complexity and the ongoing debate over its safety and efficacy (Wikipedia). For Thai readers, this US crackdown highlights global tensions between traditional herbal usage and modern drug policy, as well as the need to adapt regulations to emerging science and societal trends.
The FDA’s focus, clarified in a new public report, is not on the raw kratom leaves but on concentrated or synthetic products spiked with 7-OH. The FDA’s action was spurred by reports from supplement companies warning about the dangers of such products—which they claim not only threaten consumers but also their own market share. “7-OH is an opioid that can be more potent than morphine,” noted the FDA Commissioner in a public statement, emphasizing the urgency of regulating and educating the public about the risks involved (FDA Press Release).
This recommendation, if adopted by the DEA, would effectively outlaw 7-OH in the US, potentially curtailing the availability of a new class of highly potent, unapproved substances sometimes dubbed “gas station heroin.” Sold as shots, gummies, or tablets, these products have been linked to a growing number of addiction, injury, and overdose cases in recent years (Baltimore Sun; Fox News). The FDA’s own investigation found that such products are frequently marketed in ways that violate existing regulations—often touting unproven medical benefits for conditions like pain, arthritis, or anxiety without any clinical substantiation.
Supporters of stricter regulation applauded the FDA’s move. Representatives from Diversified Botanics, a major kratom supplement company, described the agency’s crackdown as “the exact kind of data-driven, proactive regulatory excellence needed to safeguard unwitting consumers across the U.S.” According to an industry executive, this action will help prevent misleading products from damaging both public health and the image of more traditional kratom remedies.
However, the crackdown is not without controversy. The American Kratom Association (AKA), a prominent industry group, has long lobbied to prevent federal-level restrictions on natural kratom leaves, arguing that responsible use can offer a safer alternative to opioid painkillers. Over the last decade, the group has supported state-level bills that would block synthetic 7-OH products while keeping natural kratom available to adults. The association points out that many kratom users depend on the leaf for relief from chronic pain or to help manage opioid dependence without the life-threatening risks posed by drugs like heroin and fentanyl (Washington Post).
On the other hand, a smaller but vocal group, the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust, accused mainstream kratom advocates of scapegoating 7-OH to protect their own commercial interests, contending that some unregulated kratom products are also to blame for adverse effects.
This new regulatory push follows years of scrutiny. In 2016, the DEA announced plans to ban kratom altogether but was forced to backtrack after an unprecedented public outcry—including a petition signed by more than 60 US members of Congress (AP News). Since then, kratom’s safety profile has been the subject of heated debate and ongoing research. A 2024 public health review underscores how, while traditional kratom consumption in Southeast Asia appears relatively low risk, the manufacture and consumption of concentrated or synthetic versions like 7-OH in Western markets present poorly understood but likely greater dangers (PubMed). The FDA concluded in 2018 that kratom contains several chemicals with opioid-like effects, and toxicity reports have only grown since then.
From a Thai perspective, the fate of kratom in the US—especially highly concentrated extracts—serves as a warning regarding the rapid commercialization and “repackaging” of traditional plant medicines. In Thailand, kratom’s legal status was revised in 2021, allowing personal use, limited cultivation, and controlled research after generations of criminalization. This shift was driven by the recognition of kratom’s role in both folk medicine and harm reduction, but is balanced by concerns about misuse, particularly among youth and in the context of poly-drug abuse (Bangkok Post).
Thai regulators and health officials have flagged the danger of “kratom cocktails,” which blend the plant’s natural alkaloids with other sedatives or stimulants. Public health campaigns emphasize the importance of education, safe use, and monitoring—principles echoed by US authorities now grappling with the consequences of an unregulated supplement marketplace (FDA).
Looking ahead, this crackdown is likely to reshape both US and global kratom markets. Should the DEA accept the FDA’s recommendation, sales of products containing synthetic or concentrated 7-OH would be federally banned. The impact on Thailand could be twofold: first, it may further stigmatize natural kratom despite its comparatively mild effects and cultural roots; second, it could encourage Thai lawmakers to more closely scrutinize the burgeoning domestic market for extracts and novel kratom products, especially given the proliferation of online commerce reaching foreign buyers.
Experts underline the value of comprehensive, science-driven policy. One senior researcher at a leading Thai medical school notes that, “Effective regulation requires a careful distinction between traditional use—where dosage and preparation methods have been standardized culturally—and the unpredictable risks of synthetically modified products sent to global markets.” For Thai businesses exporting kratom, a compliance strategy rooted in international safety norms and transparent labeling will be essential to maintaining credibility and market access.
For ordinary Thai readers using or contemplating kratom, whether as a home remedy or wellness product, the key message is to stick to natural sources, avoid imported or highly processed versions, and watch out for rapid policy changes at both the national and international levels.
In conclusion, as US health authorities move closer to banning 7-OH due to its opioid-like dangers, the lesson for Thailand and other kratom-growing countries is clear: robust oversight, consumer education, and evidence-based guidelines are vitally needed to ensure traditional plant medicines are not repurposed into high-risk products. Anyone considering kratom use should consult healthcare professionals, pay attention to official advisories, and avoid purchasing or consuming products with unknown or synthetic additives.
For a deeper understanding, refer to FDA’s public health guidance (FDA and Kratom) and follow future updates from both Thai and international regulatory bodies.