California isn’t waiting for the federal government to classify a potent synthetic form of kratom as an illegal drug. In fact, it’s going a step further.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is warning consumers that products containing kratom or the alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine – known as 7-OH — are illegal to sell or manufacture in the state. In recent months, six fatal overdoses linked to 7-OH have been reported in Los Angeles County, although alcohol, medication and illicit substances were also involved in those deaths.
7-OH occurs naturally in kratom in trace amounts, but some retailers are selling concentrated synthetic versions of 7-OH that boost its potency as a pain reliever and mood enhancer…