The spread of kratom-derived products, often referred to as ‘gas station opioids,’ has caught the attention of federal authorities and lawmakers due to its potential risks. These products, derived from the kratom plant, contain high concentrations of certain compounds that have raised concerns.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has expressed increased alarm regarding these kratom-derived extracts. Earlier this year, the agency announced plans to temporarily ban products containing concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI), MGM-15, and MGM-16. The DEA aims to temporarily classify these substances as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act, a move that would not affect the natural herbal form of kratom available over the counter.
Kratom’s legal status is complex, varying from state to state. While nine states have completely banned the herbal form of kratom, more than 30 states regulate its sale with restrictions on 7-OH concentrations. In over a dozen states, kratom exists in a legal gray area, neither banned nor strictly regulated.
Since roughly 2010, products containing synthetically concentrated extracts like 7-OH have become widely accessible over the counter at gas stations and tobacco shops. Oliver Grundmann, a clinical professor in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Florida, noted that the classification of these concentrated products is justified. Schedule I designation indicates a drug has no accepted medical use, which aligns with the lack of effort by manufacturers to seek approval through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“It is adequate at the moment, given what we know about [7-OH], to place it into controlled substances schedule,” Grundmann said.
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