Federal health officials are calling for an emergency crackdown on a dangerous kratom-derived substance that’s being sold openly in gas stations and vape shops across the U.S.—and increasingly referred to as “gas station heroin.”
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is recommending that 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)—a highly potent byproduct of the kratom plant—be classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, the same category as heroin and LSD.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said the move is aimed at preventing a fresh wave of opioid addiction before it spirals out of control.
“Vape stores are popping up in every neighborhood in America, and many are selling addictive products like concentrated 7-OH,” Makary said. “This is an opioid—stronger than morphine in some cases—and we cannot be caught flat-footed again.”
Makary compared the current 7-OH surge to the early days of prescription opioids, when doctors underestimated their addictive potential. He warned that youth are particularly at risk, as 7-OH is being sold in eye-catching forms like fruit-flavored gummies and even ice cream cones.
According to the FDA, many of these products are mislabeled or falsely marketed as kratom, masking the presence and potency of 7-OH. The substance binds to opioid receptors in the brain and carries a high potential for abuse.
Kennedy Shares Personal Addiction Battle
At a press conference Tuesday, Kennedy recalled his own struggle with heroin addiction to underscore the importance of early intervention.
“I had incredible willpower—I gave up sugar and desserts for years—but when I tried heroin, none of that mattered,” Kennedy said. “The problem was how easy it was to get. I was just a kid, and it was everywhere.”
Kennedy also referenced the Trump family’s own history with addiction. President Donald Trump, who has never consumed alcohol, has spoken in the past about his older brother Fred Trump Jr., who battled alcoholism before dying at age 43.
“I respected my brother, and he told me, ‘Don’t drink,’” President Trump once said. “And I listened.”
Lawmakers Back FDA Move
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), who attended Tuesday’s briefing, voiced strong support for the recommendation. Citing personal experience within his own family, Mullin said the spread of addictive substances like 7-OH is “ruining lives.”
“Thank you, Secretary Kennedy,” Mullin said. “On behalf of my family and every family that’s dealt with this pain, thank you for taking action.”
A Shift in the Overdose Crisis
The FDA’s move comes amid cautiously optimistic data: the CDC reported a nearly 27% drop in drug overdose deaths in 2024, falling from 110,037 in 2023 to 80,391. Opioid-related deaths alone declined from 83,140 to 54,743.
Despite this progress, experts warn that emerging synthetic opioids and kratom derivatives like 7-OH could threaten those gains.
What Is Kratom and 7-OH?
Kratom is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia. While the plant’s leaves are sometimes used in traditional medicine and sold in the U.S. as a stimulant or pain reliever, the FDA has not approved kratom or its chemical components—including mitragynine and 7-OH—for any medical use.
“7-OH is a semisynthetic opioid with no legitimate medical purpose,” said Dr. Marc Siegel, FOX News Senior Medical Analyst. “It belongs on the list of controlled substances. Bravo to the FDA for taking this seriously.”
Looking Ahead
Makary cautioned that the U.S. public health system has often been “too slow to respond” to emerging drug threats.
“There’s a disconnect between the ivory towers and the streets,” he said. “If you haven’t stepped into a vape shop lately, you may not realize what’s fueling the next crisis.”
The FDA’s recommendation is now under review by the DEA, which will determine whether 7-OH will be formally listed as a Schedule I substance.
