States tighten kratom regulations as overdose deaths draw scrutiny Image By HPN Staff Key Points Lawmakers are targeting 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a concentrated kratom derivative linked to higher overdose and addiction risks. In 2025, at least 34 states considered kratom-related bills and 11 enacted new restrictions such as age limits, labeling rules, and criminal penalties. FDA is weighing controlled-substance reclassification of 7-OH and recently seized 73,000 pounds in Missouri amid concerns about youth access and illicit products. As federal regulators consider reclassifying a potent kratom derivative as a controlled substance, states are stepping up efforts to regulate products that have spread widely through gas stations and convenience stores. The substance under review, 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly known as 7-OH, is a concentrated byproduct of the kratom plant that regulators say carries heightened risks of addiction and overdose. The compound is increasingly found in powders, gummies and beverages sold outside traditional pharmaceutical channels. In 2025, at least 34 states considered legislation aimed at restricting kratom-related products, with 11 states enacting new laws. These measures include age restrictions, product labeling requirements and criminal possession provisions, reflecting growing concern among state officials over the public health impact of high-potency kratom derivatives. Why it matters Ohio, Utah and New York are among the latest states to take action as policymakers debate how to address kratom within existing regulatory frameworks. Earlier this month, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy approved new rules classifying natural kratom as a Schedule I drug under state law. The decision followed an executive order from Gov. Mike DeWine banning the sale of synthetic kratom products in the state. Jenni Wai, the Ohio Pharmacy Board’s chief pharmacist, said the Ohio Department of Health reported 202 kratom overdose deaths over five years, highlighting concerns driving the state’s regulatory push. Utah, where kratom is sold legally under an over-the-counter regulatory framework, has also reported rising fatalities. State data show a 40% increase in kratom-related overdose deaths over the past five years, with more than 200 deaths reported since Utah began tracking kratom-related deaths in 2014. According to local reports, Utah lawmakers are expected to discuss a potential kratom ban during this year’s legislative session. New York also moved this week, with Gov. Kathy Hochul signing legislation to restrict kratom sales to adults only. The big picture At the federal level, the Food and Drug Administration continues to review whether 7-OH should be rescheduled under the Controlled Substances Act, a move that could reshape the national kratom market. As part of its enforcement efforts, the FDA, working with the Department of Justice, recently seized 73,000 pounds of 7-OH in Missouri. “The rise in the use of concentrated 7-OH as an illegal ingredient in foods and dietary supplements is of particular concern for the FDA,” said FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Kyle Diamantas, J.D. “Actions like those announced today put a marker down that our agency will not tolerate the use of this dangerous ingredient in foods and dietary supplements, especially in products that are accessible to our nation’s youth.” SUGGESTED STORIES States begin to put legislative guardrails on artificial intelligence As the healthcare industry experiences a surge in the use of artificial intelligence (AI), states are beginning to put boundaries around its use. AI is increasingly being used in healthcare, sometimes in transformative ways, as both a diagnostic and a pricing tool. Read more Study points to dangers of pure fentanyl overdose deaths for U.S. youth Surprising new research suggests the danger of counterfeit drugs made purely of fentanyl is rising for the nation’s youth, even as the overall number of opioid overdose deaths has started to decline. In a study recently published in the journal Read more FDA moves to tighten vaccine rules after internal review links COVID-19 vaccines to child deaths The Food and Drug Administration plans to impose stricter approval standards for vaccines — including those for pregnant women, the seasonal flu and other new shots — following an internal review controversially linking COVID-19 vaccines to the deaths of 10 children. Read more
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