ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier in August issued an emergency rule that makes it illegal to sell, possess or distribute any isolated or concentrated form of one of the most powerful compounds found in kratom, a popular herbal supplement that’s often brewed into tea or mixed drinks.
What You Need To Know
- Florida classifies 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, as a Schedule I controlled substance
- The compound is found in kratom, a plant-based supplement often made into tea
- Kaitlin Wright, co-owner of SODO Kava in Longwood, says it serves only natural kratom strains, not 7-OH extracts
- Toxicologist Dr. Josef Thundiyil says nearly 40 deaths in Florida have been linked to kratom use
The compound, called 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, has officially been classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, putting it in the same category as heroin, LSD and fentanyl. State officials said the extract is far more potent than regular kratom and has been linked to addiction and even death.
Even with the change, regular kratom tea is still legal in Florida, and it’s on the menu at SODO Kava in Seminole County. The lounge was built to give people a sober place to socialize…