States Enact Bans on Synthetic Kratom as Federal Action Lags

A significant rise in state-level bans on synthetic kratom, specifically the compound known as 7-OH, has emerged as legislators address growing concerns about its safety and potential for dependency. As of now, at least 12 states have enacted comprehensive bans, while others have imposed specific restrictions on high-potency formulations. This trend has occurred amid increasing scrutiny of the product, marketed as a natural supplement for pain relief, anxiety, and opioid withdrawal.

The crackdown began in earnest with an emergency order issued in December 2025 by the Ohio State Pharmacy Board. The order mandates that the board hold hearings within six months to consider classifying 7-OH as a controlled substance. Such a designation would render the manufacture, sale, possession, and use of this compound illegal in Ohio.

Legislators in states including Alabama, California, and Florida have taken similar actions, reflecting widespread concern over the availability of synthetic kratom in convenience stores and smoke shops with minimal oversight. The absence of federal regulation has led to a patchwork of state laws aimed at mitigating potential health risks associated with these products.

In Ohio, local business owner Jason Ingram, who operates Centuries Harvest Kratom, offers both natural kratom and synthetic 7-OH products. He acknowledges that while 7-OH is more potent, he believes the products he carries are safe. Ingram criticized the state’s emergency order, describing it as overreach that could adversely affect small businesses. He stated, “He doesn’t understand the people he’s going to put out of work. It’s not a small little thing. It’s a billion-dollar industry.”

As states pursue independent regulations, federal agencies have yet to finalize their stance. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended eight months ago that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classify synthetic kratom as a Schedule I substance, placing it in the same category as heroin and LSD. Such a move would effectively outlaw the substance across the United States.

Public health experts express divided opinions on the implications of these potential regulations. Dr. Jeff Singer, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, cautioned that outright bans on 7-OH could inadvertently bolster illicit drug markets. He noted, “If they made 7-OH a controlled substance, then they’re actually going to give another product for the drug traffickers, Mexican cartels, etc., to add to their line of products that they make available to American consumers.”

While traditional kratom remains legal in many states, the emergence of synthetic derivatives like 7-OH has raised alarm among regulators. These newer products are often found to be significantly more potent than the natural kratom leaf, prompting increased examination of their safety and effects.

As more states deliberate potential restrictions and federal authorities consider nationwide scheduling, the debate surrounding synthetic kratom is becoming part of a larger national dialogue on emerging psychoactive substances. This ongoing discussion focuses on consumer safety and the challenge of balancing necessary regulation with access to alternative options for pain relief and anxiety management.