Latest news with #KratomConsumerProtectionAct
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Global Kratom Coalition Applauds Florida's Ban on Dangerous Concentrated Synthetic 7-OH Products
The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) today praised Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier's announcement to follow the lead of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and issue an emergency scheduling of concentrated synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) opioid products. The move follows growing concern from federal and state health officials about the addictive nature and public health risks of synthetic 7-OH, a novel opioid that is masquerading as a dietary supplement. Natural leaf kratom was not included or under scrutiny in today's announcement. 'Florida's leadership in taking swift action against dangerous synthetic 7-OH opioid products is a landmark moment in protecting public health,' said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. 'We strongly support enforcement against synthetic 7-OH opioid products, which pose real risks of abuse, dependence, and overdose. Importantly, similar to the FDA's recommendation, this action draws a clear line between natural kratom leaf products and novel lab-produced potent derivatives like 7, by clearly ensuring that natural kratom leaf is not affected by the emergency scheduling.' This announcement comes after FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary stated on July 29 that the federal government is 'targeting a concentrated synthetic byproduct that is an opioid,' underscoring the urgency of state-level action. Despite this clarity, confusion persists among consumers, policymakers, and the media about the fundamental differences between synthetic 7-OH and traditional, plant-based kratom. 'Natural leaf kratom has been used safely for over 50 years by millions of Americans,' Lowe said. 'The danger lies in synthetic manipulation by bad actors to create a product that is 13 times more potent than morphine and is in no way similar to natural kratom. Florida has sent a strong message: there's no place for these dangerous, concentrated opioids in our communities.' GKC emphasized that the Florida emergency scheduling, which takes immediate effect, aligns with the coalition's mission to ensure kratom remains available in its natural form while keeping harmful synthetic derivatives off the market. The group urged other states to follow Florida's lead and act before synthetic concentrated 7-OH opioid products become more widespread. 'We commend Attorney General Uthmeier and Commissioner Makary for prioritizing consumer safety,' Lowe added. 'This is exactly the kind of targeted enforcement that protects the public without denying consumer access to natural kratom. We stand ready to work with Florida lawmakers, like the Kratom Consumer Protection Act sponsors Senator Collins and Representative Owen, when the legislature convenes in January to codify this scheduling into law.' For more information, the Global Kratom Coalition has prepared a one-page fact sheet and a video clip of Dr. Makary's July 29 remarks to help clarify the differences between natural kratom and synthetic 7-OH products. About Global Kratom Coalition The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit Media Contact Patrick George +1 916-202-1982 [email protected] ### SOURCE: Global Kratom Coalition Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
Associated Press
31-07-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
American Kratom Association Issues Policy Advisory to State Attorneys General Urging Immediate Crackdown on Dangerous 7-OH Products
FDA recommends scheduling of 7-OH, states health concerns of 7-OH and its distinction from the kratom plant leaf Today, American Kratom Association (AKA) issued a formal policy advisory to the attorneys general in every state that has enacted a Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), urging them to take immediate enforcement action against the unlawful sale of highly dangerous 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products that are misleadingly marketed as kratom. This action comes in response to the recent decision by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recommend that 7-OH be placed into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, citing overwhelming evidence of its opioid-like effects, high abuse potential, and serious risks to consumer safety. 'Let's be clear: 7-OH is not kratom,' said Mac Haddow, senior fellow on public policy for the American Kratom Association. 'It is a chemically altered, synthetic opioid analogue that hijacks the reputation of natural kratom to sell highly addictive and dangerous products to unsuspecting consumers. These are not traditional botanical kratom products — they are designer opioids with a new label.' 7-OH Sellers Exploiting Public Confusion The urgency of enforcement is amplified by recent reckless and disturbing communications from 7-OH product manufacturers, who are advising distributors not to remove these dangerous products from shelves despite the impending scheduling: '100% no reason to take 7-OH off shelves. Watch sales soar after this. You couldn't buy this kind of advertising!' — leading 7-OH manufacturer This brazen statement shows the callous disregard of bad actors for public health and safety. It is a direct attempt to capitalize on regulatory confusion while putting lives at risk. Every Sale Puts a Consumer at Risk The FDA has confirmed that 7-OH acts as a full mu-opioid receptor agonist, producing effects more potent than morphine, including respiratory depression, dependence, withdrawal, and overdose. Yet, these products are being marketed and sold over the counter in gas stations, smoke shops, and online platforms under the misleading guise of being kratom. 'Every 7-OH sale is a public health time bomb. Consumers have no idea they're buying a synthetic opioid, and the consequences can be fatal,' said Haddow. 'State attorneys general must act immediately to enforce existing laws under the KCPA and remove these products from the market.' KCPA Provides the Legal Tools While several states have enacted the KCPA, products that exceed safe 7-OH thresholds — or contain synthetically derived 7-OH — are explicitly illegal based on consumer protection laws designed to protect consumers from marketing deception. The AKA advisory urges attorneys general to use their statutory authority to: Federal Action Must Be Reinforced at the State Level With the DEA now considering the FDA's scheduling recommendation, state action is more important than ever to protect consumers in the interim period. 'The FDA has done its job. Now it's time for state enforcement agencies to do theirs. We are calling on every attorney general to step up and protect their citizens before any life is lost,' concluded Haddow. 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
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Nebraska Passes Kratom Consumer Protection Act, Setting a State Standard for Kratom Regulation
LOS ANGELES, CA, May 19, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) applauds the Nebraska Legislature for the successful passage of Legislative Bill 230, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, introduced by State Senator Bob Hallstrom (District 1, Syracuse, NE). This critical legislation establishes common-sense regulations that enhances consumer safety and promotes the responsible manufacturing, marketing, and sale of kratom products in Nebraska. GKC has been actively engaged with Nebraska lawmakers since early 2024, advocating for evidence-based standards that preserve access to natural kratom while shielding the public from dangerous synthetic products that falsely claim to be kratom. LB 230 includes robust protections for consumers, such as prohibiting the marketing of kratom products to children, banning sales to individuals under 21 years old, and requiring product labeling that discourages use by pregnant or breastfeeding women. 'The Nebraska legislature should be commended for leading the way in creating common sense regulations for kratom, keeping it safe and accessible for consumers,' said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. 'Nebraska lawmakers have created a model for other states to pursue by including provisions in the legislation with some real teeth.' One of the most impactful provisions of the bill restricts the level of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH) in kratom products to no more than 2% of the total alkaloid composition. This critical safeguard eliminates the threat posed by highly concentrated 7OH synthetic products — commonly referred to as '7'— which have been proliferating across the country. Unlike natural-leaf kratom, these synthetically altered products contain eight unknown compounds and levels of 7OH up to 100 times higher than naturally occurring kratom. These untested products lack scientific backing for claims of treating chronic pain and opioid use disorder. Despite mounting scientific consensus and public health concern, groups like the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) have actively sought to undermine the bill or strip out key consumer protections. HART continues to promote synthetic '7' products without offering credible data, directly contradicting the views of leading U.S. kratom researchers who assert that '7' products should not be considered kratom. During a press event in October 2024, HART panelists advocated for regulating 7OH products as though they were natural kratom, making unapproved drug claims without FDA authorization. 'When organizations like HART are advocating for products that are unapproved drugs that have not gone through the FDA approval process,' said Lowe. 'Without FDA approval, selling those products is unlawful and puts consumers at risk.' Since the introduction of LB 230 on January 14, 2025, GKC has worked closely with stakeholders to ensure the legislation balances access to safe, natural kratom with strong protections against dangerous synthetic alternatives. 'Our goal has always been to support legislation that empowers consumers to make informed choices and preserves access to responsibly manufactured kratom products,' said Lowe. 'With the passage of Nebraska's Kratom Consumer Protection Act, we've made a significant leap toward that vision.' The Global Kratom Coalition thanks the Nebraska Legislature for standing up for consumer safety and urges other states to follow Nebraska's lead by adopting meaningful, science-based kratom regulation. About Global Kratom Coalition The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit Media Contact Patrick George +1 916-202-1982 [email protected] ### SOURCE: Global Kratom Coalition Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
Associated Press
13-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Global Kratom Coalition Supports Nebraska's Kratom Consumer Protection Act (LB 230)
GKC celebrates the closing of loopholes to protect consumers from dangerous 7-hydroxymitragynine products mislabeled as kratom LOS ANGELES, CA, March 12, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) has been working with the Nebraska legislature since early 2024 in support of Nebraska's Legislative Bill 230, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, introduced by State Senator Bob Hallstrom (District 1, Lincoln-NE). This proposed legislation aims to establish common-sense regulations that will enhance consumer safety and promote responsible manufacturing, marketing, and sale of kratom products in Nebraska. Among the bill's key provisions are measures designed to protect consumers, including prohibiting the marketing of kratom products designed to appeal to children, prohibiting the sale of kratom products to individuals under 21 years of age, and requiring product labeling that discourages use by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. One of the most important regulations in LB 230 ensures that any level of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH) does not exceed 2% of the overall alkaloid composition of the product. This safeguard effectively eliminates the risk associated with synthesized high-potency isolate 7OH products (known as '7') that are proliferating across the state. Unlike natural-leaf kratom products, synthesized products like '7' contain eight unknown compounds and 100 times more 7OH than true kratom products. These new, untested products have no scientific data to support their use. They are being marketed as a cure for the opioid crisis when in fact they are fueling their own addiction and health crises through their unfettered access across the nation. Organizations such as the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) are attempting to either kill kratom regulations bills or strike out core consumer safety provisions that protect consumers from these dangerous synthetic products. They have no data to support their position and contradict opinions expressed by the leading kratom scientists in the US who say '7" products should not be considered kratom. Proponents of '7" are not making factual or credible claims about the safety and efficacy of these products. HART's aim to promote '7" products comes at the risk of consumers. During a press event held by HART in October 2024, panel members advocated for the regulation of 7OH products as if they were natural kratom, making unapproved new drug claims. 'When organizations like HART make unapproved claims that 7OH products are intended for pain relief or opioid use disorder, they are promoting these products as drugs as defined by the FDA,' said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. 'Without prior FDA approval, such products are unlawful to sell.' The Global Kratom Coalition has been actively involved in encouraging the development of LB 230 since its introduction on January 14, 2025, working alongside stakeholders to ensure that consumers have access to safe, natural kratom products and are protected from dangerous synthesized alternatives. 'Our goal is to support legislation that empowers consumers to make informed decisions while maintaining continued access to responsibly manufactured kratom products,' Lowe added. 'Nebraska's Kratom Consumer Protection Act is a significant step forward in achieving those goals.' The Global Kratom Coalition urges lawmakers and stakeholders to support LB 230 and reject any attempts to weaken the bill's vital protections for consumers. About the Global Kratom Coalition The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit Patrick George
