Effective July 1, 2026 it becomes a FELONY to possess or distribute Kratom or 7-OH within the State of Kansas. It is being cited by Kansas law makers as a dangerous drug. They join other States and Counties around the United States in either making the drug illegal or putting age restrictions on it’s use. But what is Kratom / 7-OH?
Kratom is a plant that’s used as a stimulant and opioid substitute. It can come in the form of pills, powder, or tea, and is also known as Thang, Kakuam, Thom, Ketom, and Biak. Supporters say kratom has helped treat their opioid addiction withdrawal symptoms and lessened chronic pain. But the FDA says that there is “no reliable evidence” that this works.
Others use the stimulant for fun.
Is Kratom bade for you? The FDA states that kratom “appears to have properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and dependence.” And while they admit that they need to learn more about Kratom, it encourages more research into how safe the suppliment is. However, for mow many experts suggest staying away from Kratom.
Kratom can cause sweating, anxiety, cravings, stomach cramps, and diarrhea, and it can have harmful interactions with other drugs. It can also cause severe and prolonged vomiting, tremors, delusions, aggressive behavior, psychotic episodes, and hallucinations, Narconon says on its website. It’s also “quite addictive,” People who regularly use kratom should watch for withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, irritability, restlessness, muscle aches, nausea and trouble sleeping.
But we have heard all this about other drugs that have become popular for one reasaon or another. We have watched as Kansas has banned other substances, just to have their laws / restrictions overturned. It should also be noted that the State of Missouri has not yet taken any action on the suppliment, but as more and more reposrt of non-fatal overdoses come in, that could change.
Kratom – AI Information
Kratom is a tropical tree (Mitragyna speciosa) native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain active compounds that act as a stimulant in small doses—increasing energy—and as a sedative in larger doses, relieving pain but mimicking opioid effects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved kratom for any medical use and warns against its use due to serious risks, including addiction, abuse, dependence, liver damage, and seizures.
Core Facts About Kratom
- How it works: Kratom contains psychoactive alkaloids, notably mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), which bind to the same brain receptors as opioids.
- How it is sold: Marketed as an “all-natural” herbal supplement, it is widely available in convenience stores, gas stations, and online in powder, capsule, gummy, and concentrated liquid forms.
- Commonly cited uses: Some people use kratom to self-treat chronic pain, anxiety, or opioid withdrawal. However, it has a high potential for abuse and can lead to physical dependence and addiction.
Health Risks & Side Effects
- Mild side effects: Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, increased urination, weight loss, and sweating.
- Severe side effects: Liver toxicity, high blood pressure, hallucinations, confusion, and seizures.
- Overdose & fatalities: Concentrated or synthetic 7-OH formulations can be highly potent and have led to overdoses requiring naloxone (Narcan).
Legal Status & Regulations
- Federal regulation: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lists kratom as a “Drug and Chemical of Concern,” but it is not currently classified as a controlled substance under federal law. The FDA bans the importation of unapproved kratom products.
- State & local laws: Because of the lack of federal regulation, laws vary significantly. Several U.S. states and individual counties have completely banned the sale and possession of kratom, while others enforce age restrictions or follow the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
FDA – Kratom
Taken from the FDA Website – See Article
Kratom is a tropical tree (Mitragyna speciosa) that is native to Southeast Asia. Products prepared from kratom leaves are available in the U.S. online and in brick-and-mortar stores. Kratom is often used to self-treat conditions such as pain, coughing, diarrhea, anxiety and depression, opioid use disorder, and opioid withdrawal, with regular kratom users self-reporting using less than 6g of botanical kratom per consumption, per several recent studies. An estimated 1.7 million Americans aged 12 and older used kratom in 2021, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Of note, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is a naturally occurring alkaloid in the kratom plant, but only a minor constituent that comprises less than 2% of the total alkaloid content in natural kratom leaves. However, 7-OH demonstrates substantially greater mu-opioid receptor potency than kratom’s primary alkaloid constituent mitragynine, as well as other classical opioids such as morphine. For more information about the agency’s efforts regarding 7-OH, see Hiding in Plain Sight: 7-OH Products.
There are no prescription or over-the-counter drug products containing kratom or its known alkaloids that are legally on the market in the U.S. If a new drug application (NDA) is submitted for kratom (or one of its components) to treat a specific medical condition, FDA will review the scientific data to determine if a drug product containing kratom (or its components) is safe and effective to treat that specific medical condition. Consistent with FDA’s practice with unapproved substances, until the agency scientists can evaluate the safety and effectiveness of kratom (or its components) in the treatment of any medical conditions, FDA will continue to warn the public against the use of kratom for medical treatment. The agency will also continue to monitor emerging data trends to better understand the substance and its components.
Kratom is not appropriate for use as a dietary supplement. FDA has concluded from available information, including scientific data, that kratom is a new dietary ingredient for which there is inadequate information to provide reasonable assurance that such ingredient does not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury and, therefore, dietary supplements that are or contain kratom are adulterated under section 402(f)(1)(B) of the FD&C Act. Further, FDA has determined that kratom, when added to food, is an unsafe food additive within the meaning of section 409; food containing an unsafe food additive, such as kratom, is adulterated under section 402(a)(2)(C)(i). Based on these determinations by FDA, kratom is not lawfully marketed as a dietary supplement and cannot be lawfully added to conventional foods.
Therefore, kratom is not lawfully marketed in the U.S. as a drug product, a dietary supplement, or a food additive in conventional food.
FDA has warned consumers not to use kratom because of the risk of serious adverse events, including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder (SUD). In rare cases, deaths have been associated with kratom use, as confirmed by a medical examiner or toxicology reports. However, in these cases, kratom was usually used in combination with other drugs, and the contribution of kratom in the deaths is unclear.
7-OH – AI Information
7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine) is an alkaloid found in the kratom plant. It acts on the opioid receptors in the brain, similar to certain controlled pain medications. 7-OH products are often sold in highly concentrated forms such as gummies, tablets, and liquids. Public health officials have identified these products as posing significant safety risks.
Here are key facts about 7-OH:
What it is
- Source: It is one of the primary active compounds in kratom. While it occurs naturally in the plant in minute quantities, commercial products often contain much higher levels.
- Manufacturing: Many commercial 7-OH products are chemically processed in laboratory settings to isolate or concentrate the compound far beyond its natural state.
The Danger
- Potency: 7-OH is significantly more potent than the raw kratom leaf. This high concentration increases the risk of severe adverse effects and dependency.
- Addiction Risk: Due to its effect on brain chemistry, regular use can lead to rapid physical and psychological dependence.
- Side Effects: Reported adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, agitation, rapid heart rate, respiratory depression, and seizures.
- Overdose Risk: Use of high concentrations has been associated with severe toxicity and fatal outcomes.
Legal Status
- FDA Warnings: The Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings advising consumers to avoid 7-OH products. It is not approved for use as a food additive or dietary supplement.
- State Regulations: Several states and municipalities have moved to ban or strictly regulate the sale of 7-OH
