Colorful bottles, gummies, chewable tablets and flavored “shots” sold at gas stations and corner stores are drawing increased scrutiny from health officials — not because they are prescription drugs, but because they can act like powerful opioids while being sold with little oversight.
Many of these products contain 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly known as 7-OH, a compound derived from kratom. Health officials in both Missouri and Kansas warn that 7-OH can lead to dependence, severe withdrawal and, in extreme cases, death, particularly when consumed in concentrated forms that are now widely available.
Kansas City, Missouri leaders are moving to make the products illegal within city limits. While some states have already banned the product, they remain legal in both Kansas and Missouri.
A Potent Opioid-Like Compound, Sold Over the Counter
Kratom comes from a Southeast Asian plant and has long been sold in the U.S. as powders, capsules or teas. While kratom leaf naturally contains trace amounts of 7-OH, regulators say today’s concern centers on isolated or chemically concentrated 7-OH, which is added to commercial products and sold in highly potent forms.
Federal health officials say 7-OH binds to opioid receptors in the brain in ways similar to morphine or heroin. Research cited by regulators indicates it may be up to 13 times more potent than morphine at those receptors.
Unlike prescription opioids, these products are sold in everyday retail settings — often next to energy drinks or behind the counter — with inconsistent labeling, dosing guidance and age restrictions.
Mitragynine vs. 7-OH: Why the Difference Matters
Kratom naturally contains dozens of alkaloids, but two receive the most attention: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, known as 7-OH.
Mitragynine is the dominant compound in kratom leaf and is generally considered less potent. In contrast, 7-OH occurs only in trace amounts naturally but binds far more strongly to opioid receptors.
Health officials say the current concern is driven by products that contain isolated or concentrated 7-OH, which can dramatically increase potency and addiction risk compared to traditional kratom leaf. Those products are increasingly sold in gummies, flavored shots and tablets that make high doses easier to consume.
Missouri and Kansas Warn Consumers
In October 2025, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issued a consumer advisory warning that products containing isolated 7-OH are “far more addictive” than natural kratom and are being sold without adequate safety testing.
Kansas health officials have issued similar warnings, pointing to the unpredictable potency of 7-OH products and the heightened risk of overdose, especially when combined with other substances.
Addiction Playing Out in Real Time
Concerns about dependence are not limited to government warnings.
Online communities illustrate the scale of the problem. A Reddit forum dedicated to quitting kratom-related substances has grown to more than 50,000 members, many describing intense withdrawal symptoms — including insomnia, anxiety, nausea, body aches and depression — after stopping use.
Health experts say the form these products take matters. Sweetened drinks, gummies and flavored shots make it easy to consume large doses quickly, increasing the risk of dependence and making withdrawal more severe.
Serious Health Risks, Including Death
While comprehensive national data is still developing, the Food and Drug Administration has warned that high-dose kratom and 7-OH use has been associated with serious adverse events, including seizures, coma and death, particularly when products are highly concentrated or mixed with other substances.
Federal Action Is Underway — But Not Final
In July 2025, the FDA said it has formally recommended that 7-hydroxymitragynine be classified as a controlled substance under federal law. The recommendation was sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration, which oversees drug scheduling under the Controlled Substances Act.
If finalized — potentially as a Schedule I substance — 7-OH would be treated similarly to drugs such as heroin or LSD, making it illegal nationwide outside of tightly controlled research. The scheduling process, however, involves scientific review, rulemaking and public comment, and has not yet been completed.
Since Congress has not passed a federal law banning 7-OH, states and cities are left to act in the meantime.
Kansas City Moves Toward a Ban
Against that backdrop, Kansas City officials are advancing efforts to prohibit the sale of 7-OH products within city limits.
Earlier versions of a broader “gas station drug” ordinance stalled, but recent discussions have narrowed specifically to synthetic or isolated 7-OH, separating it from debates over traditional kratom leaf. City leaders have framed the issue as consumer protection, pointing to the rapid spread of opioid-like substances sold outside medical and pharmacy settings.
Where Kansas Lawmakers Are Now
In Kansas, lawmakers have introduced several measures in recent years aimed at regulating kratom-related products, though none advanced into law.
This month, a new bill was introduced that would take a tougher approach by placing kratom-related substances under Kansas’ controlled substances laws. The proposal has been referred to committee and has not yet been debated, but it reflects growing concern as 7-OH products become more visible across the state.
A Closing Regulatory Gap
Supporters of 7-OH products argue they can help manage pain or reduce reliance on illicit opioids. Health officials counter that selling a powerful, unapproved opioid-like compound in gas stations and corner stores — without consistent dosing, testing or medical oversight — creates clear risks.As Kansas City moves toward a ban and federal regulators weigh nationwide action, officials across the Kansas City metro are sending a consistent message: products containing concentrated 7-OH are dangerous, poorly regulated and best avoided.