Latest news with #AKA
Associated Press
4 hours ago
- Health
- Associated Press
American Kratom Association Praises Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary for Bold Action to Recommend Scheduling of Dangerous 7-OH Products
Commissioner Makary: 'We are not targeting the kratom leaf' American Kratom Association (AKA) today applauded Secretary Robert Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary for their decisive and science-driven recommendation to classify 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) as a Schedule I substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act. This bold step is a critical milestone in protecting public health and consumer safety from dangerous synthetic products that masquerade as natural kratom. 'Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary have shown exceptional leadership in confronting one of the most urgent public health threats related to mislabeled, manipulated psychoactive substances,' said Mac Haddow, senior fellow on public policy for the American Kratom Association. 'These 7-OH products are not kratom. They are chemically altered substances that carry potent opioid-like effects and pose an imminent threat to consumers. This move sends a clear and long-overdue message: the safety of the American public comes first.' 7-hydroxymitragynine is a metabolite — not a naturally occurring substance in the kratom plant — and occurs during the drying of kratom leaves at extremely low levels, typically less than 0.01%. However, unscrupulous manufacturers have exploited chemical manipulation to create concentrated 7-OH products that far exceed natural levels, creating high-potency, opioid-like effects that are addictive and potentially lethal. These products are often falsely marketed under the kratom name, misleading consumers and damaging the reputation of natural kratom, which has a vastly different safety profile. The American Kratom Association has worked tirelessly to educate policymakers, regulators, and the public on the difference between natural kratom products and chemically manipulated 7-OH formulations. The AKA has advocated for state-based Kratom Consumer Protection Acts (KCPA) to ban the sale of adulterated and dangerously enhanced products. This federal scheduling recommendation is a landmark development that supports those efforts and establishes a much-needed national framework to protect consumers. 'The FDA's own research shows that natural kratom has a relatively low potential for abuse and may offer harm-reduction benefits when used responsibly,' Haddow continued. 'It is the synthetic manipulation of 7-OH that has created the danger. The action by Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary is not only scientifically justified, it is morally imperative.' The AKA urges swift action by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to initiate the rule-making process to schedule synthetically manipulated 7-hydroxymitragynine and to make clear that such action does not impact the legal status of natural kratom or its primary alkaloids, mitragynine and unaltered 7-OH occurring within the plant matrix. The goal is to eliminate the threat posed by rogue products while preserving access to safe, regulated kratom. 'We look forward to working with federal agencies and state policymakers to ensure that safe access to natural kratom is protected, while these dangerous imposters are removed from the marketplace,' said Haddow. Note: The FDA also released " Hiding in Plain Sight: 7-OH Products " to help educate the public. About American Kratom Association (AKA) American Kratom Association (AKA) is a consumer-based, nonprofit organization, focused on furthering the latest science as guidance for kratom public policy. AKA works to give a voice to millions of Americans by fighting to protect their rights to access safe and natural kratom. For more information, visit and learn more at Media Contact Mac Haddow [email protected] ### SOURCE: American Kratom Association (AKA) Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
The Hill
20 hours ago
- Health
- The Hill
FDA recommends concentrated Kratom be scheduled as illicit substance
The Trump administration is recommending that a compound called 7-OH be scheduled as an illicit drug, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary announced Tuesday. The compound is a concentrated by-product of the Kratom plant whose ground leaves are sold as a dietary supplement to boost energy or provide pain relief. FDA officials said the substance has a 'high risk of addiction' and abuse in concentrated form because of its ability to bind to opioid receptors in the brain. Makary said the agency is urging the Drug Enforcement Agency to classify 7-OH as a Schedule 1 substance, placing it on list of drugs that include heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and ecstasy. 'We have a history in public health of being asleep at the wheel,' Makary said. 'Public health is supposed to prevent disasters, not just clean them up after they've killed thousands and thousands of people.' The American Kratom Association (AKA), a trade group representing the industry, applauded the recommendation to classify 7-OH as a Schedule 1 substance. 'This bold step is a critical milestone in protecting public health and consumer safety from dangerous synthetic products that masquerade as natural kratom,' the AKA said in a statement. A spokesperson for the group said that the FDA's decision shines a light on a 'massive and growing' problem in the kratom marketplace. Earlier this month, the FDA sent warning letters to seven companies regarding allegations that they are illegally marketing 7-OH products as dietary supplements or as a product that can relieve pain or manage anxiety. Department of Health and Human Services officials said during a Tuesday press conference that they have seen a 'disturbing' rise in reports of poisonings and emergency room visits linked to products containing 7-OH which can be found in tablets, gummies, mixed drinks or shots. But officials did not point to data on the scale of the rise in adverse health events. These products are often sold online or in convenience stores, gas stations and vape shops, officials said, with no 'quality control, no dosage control and no warnings.' 'This is a recipe for a public health disaster,' said Jim O'Neil, deputy secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services. 'Young people, veterans and people who suffer from chronic pain or addiction are being misled into thinking that these are safe alternatives. They're not.' Kratom has gained popularity as an alternative pain reliever amid the country's opioid epidemic with some studies suggesting that up to 15 million Americans have use it to treat chronic pain or opioid withdrawal symptoms. In small doses, Kratom can act as a stimulant but can also cause an 'opioid-like' drowsiness and euphoria, experts say. Concentrated Kratom or highly potent Kratom products can cause harmful side effects like nausea, vomiting and even seizures. Tuesday's announcement is the Trump administration's effort to prevent another 'wave of the opioid epidemic' from blindsiding the country, Makaray said. 'There's a lot we don't know. This may be the calm before the storm,' he said. 'It may be the tip of the iceberg, but let's be aggressive and proactive.' The DEA previously announced it would schedule kratom compounds as controlled substances in 2016 but opted not to after receiving intense pushback. Makary stressed that the Trump administration is targeting synthetic, concentrated kratom when asked by a reporter if officials were prepared to deal with similar pushback again.
Reuters
21 hours ago
- Health
- Reuters
American Kratom Association Praises Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary for Bold Action to Recommend Scheduling of Dangerous 7-OH Products
WASHINGTON, DC, July 29, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- American Kratom Association (AKA), opens new tab today applauded Secretary Robert Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary for their decisive and science-driven recommendation to classify 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) as a Schedule I substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act. This bold step is a critical milestone in protecting public health and consumer safety from dangerous synthetic products that masquerade as natural kratom. 'Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary have shown exceptional leadership in confronting one of the most urgent public health threats related to mislabeled, manipulated psychoactive substances,' said Mac Haddow, senior fellow on public policy for the American Kratom Association. 'These 7-OH products are not kratom. They are chemically altered substances that carry potent opioid-like effects and pose an imminent threat to consumers. This move sends a clear and long-overdue message: the safety of the American public comes first.' 7-hydroxymitragynine is a metabolite — not a naturally occurring substance in the kratom plant — and occurs during the drying of kratom leaves at extremely low levels, typically less than 0.01%. However, unscrupulous manufacturers have exploited chemical manipulation to create concentrated 7-OH products that far exceed natural levels, creating high-potency, opioid-like effects that are addictive and potentially lethal. These products are often falsely marketed under the kratom name, misleading consumers and damaging the reputation of natural kratom, which has a vastly different safety profile. The American Kratom Association has worked tirelessly to educate policymakers, regulators, and the public on the difference between natural kratom products and chemically manipulated 7-OH formulations. The AKA has advocated for state-based Kratom Consumer Protection Acts (KCPA) to ban the sale of adulterated and dangerously enhanced products. This federal scheduling recommendation is a landmark development that supports those efforts and establishes a much-needed national framework to protect consumers. 'The FDA's own research shows that natural kratom has a relatively low potential for abuse and may offer harm-reduction benefits when used responsibly,' Haddow continued. 'It is the synthetic manipulation of 7-OH that has created the danger. The action by Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary is not only scientifically justified, it is morally imperative.' The AKA urges swift action by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to initiate the rule-making process to schedule synthetically manipulated 7-hydroxymitragynine and to make clear that such action does not impact the legal status of natural kratom or its primary alkaloids, mitragynine and unaltered 7-OH occurring within the plant matrix. The goal is to eliminate the threat posed by rogue products while preserving access to safe, regulated kratom. 'We look forward to working with federal agencies and state policymakers to ensure that safe access to natural kratom is protected, while these dangerous imposters are removed from the marketplace,' said Haddow. Note: The FDA also released "Hiding in Plain Sight: 7-OH Products, opens new tab" to help educate the public. About American Kratom Association (AKA) American Kratom Association (AKA) is a consumer-based, nonprofit organization, focused on furthering the latest science as guidance for kratom public policy. AKA works to give a voice to millions of Americans by fighting to protect their rights to access safe and natural kratom. For more information, visit and learn more at Media Contact Mac Haddowpress@ ### SOURCE: American Kratom Association (AKA) Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire See release on EZ Newswire
The Herald
6 days ago
- The Herald
Further delays in pretrial proceedings for AKA murder accused
Pretrial conference proceedings for five men allegedly linked to the murder of popular rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes did not go ahead in the Durban high court on Thursday. Judge Jacqueline Henriques chastised prosecutor advocate Elvis Gcweka and called for the state to get its house in order as all the documents were not collected. Forbes and his friend Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane were shot dead outside the now-defunct Wish restaurant in Florida Road in February 2023. Thabani Mkhwanazi, 30, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, 35, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, 21, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, 36, and Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande, 29, were arrested in February last year in connection with the murders. Their family members were present in court. According to Gcweka, at least 45 witnesses are expected to testify in the trial which is expected to run into two sessions, starting in July, and later in October 2026. However, these dates were yet to be confirmed by KwaZulu-Natal judge president Thoba Poyo-Dlwati. Gcweka said the state would lead evidence from CCTV footage, vehicle tracking and cellphone footage. In June, Poyo-Dlwati asked the state and defence to iron out issues at what was expected to be a pretrial conference when senior prosecutor Lawrence Gcaba asked for a postponement to July 24. Sibusiso Dlamini, standing in for advocate Simphiwe Mlotshwa who is handing another matter in the Newcastle magisterial district, said Mkhwanazi and [Lindokuhle] Ndimande have certain admissions which they do not agree upon. Henriques said she would not certify the trial ready until the additional statements are obtained. Advocate Jimmy Howse, who represents Ndimande, said he wanted additional statements from the witnesses and wanted to avoid an 'ambush' in court. The matter was adjourned to August 13. TimesLIVE
Associated Press
23-07-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
American Kratom Association (AKA) Las Vegas Press Conference & Debate Invitation: FDA Crackdown on 7-OH Products and Industry Response
'The 7-OH Fault Line: Can the Industry Find Common Ground?' American Kratom Association (AKA) will host a special press conference to address the recent FDA warning letters targeting 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products. The event will feature the AKA's official response, expert commentary on public safety implications, and details of the industry's commitment to consumer protection. Dr. Chris McCurdy of the University of Florida, an internationally recognized expert on kratom, will be attending and available to the media. The AKA has issued a national consumer alert on the action. Following the press conference, media are invited to attend a highly anticipated live debate and policy presentation titled: 'The 7-OH Fault Line: Can the Industry Find Common Ground?' This critical session will feature representatives from the American Kratom Association and the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART)—an organization that supports 7-OH product access—engaging in a robust discussion on science, safety, and regulatory futures. Visit here to register or submit a question beforehand. Press Conference Details 'The 7-OH Fault Line' Debate Details Why It Matters This is a pivotal moment for the kratom industry and public health regulation. As federal action intensifies, the future of kratom—and the distinction between mitragynine and 7-OH products—is on the line. Media will have direct access to the facts, major players, and contrasting perspectives shaping this critical debate. Who Should Attend Local and national press, health reporters, regulatory affairs journalists, and industry media outlets covering FDA policy, herbal supplements, consumer safety, and alternative health products. About American Kratom Association (AKA) American Kratom Association (AKA) is a consumer-based, nonprofit organization, focused on furthering the latest science as guidance for kratom public policy. AKA works to give a voice to millions of Americans by fighting to protect their rights to access safe and natural kratom. For more information, visit and learn more at Media Contact Mac Haddow [email protected] ### SOURCE: American Kratom Association (AKA) Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
