HHS endorses DEA move to schedule synthetic kratom extract 7-hydroxymitragynine
The Department of Health and Human Services endorsed the Drug Enforcement Administration's emergency order to add 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a synthetic kratom extract sold in gas stations and vape shops, to the Schedule I list of most restricted drugs. The move comes amid safety concerns and follows deaths linked to the substance, while the kratom industry has lobbied to ban synthetic products while promoting natural kratom.