Montana Joins Fight to Ban Powerful Opioid-Like Ingredient

Popular ingredients found in gummies, tablets, and drink mixes could soon be scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act following a bipartisan letter sent by multiple state officials.

Some experts claim these ingredients can even be more powerful than morphine.

What is Kratom Leaf and 7-OH?

The ingredients are whole kratom leaf and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).

According to the Accelerated Neuro Regulation (ARN) clinic, 7-OH kratom can giver users "opioid-like effects at higher dose" but may also "carry serious risks, including dependency, withdrawal symptoms, nausea, dizziness, sedation, breathing issues when mixed with other substances, and increased overdose potential, especially with concentrated extracts."

I don't know about you but that doesn't sound like fun at all.

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Additional research by ARN says regular users build a tolerance due to the brain responding to repeated "opioid receptor simulation", which means over time, users will seek larger doses to get the effects they're used to.

Just like with opioids, users can experience withdrawal symptoms and according to ARN, the brain ceases to operate normally without the substance.

According to Addiction Resource, kratom is "7 to 13 times more potent than morphine to cause opioid-like addiction."

Unfortunately, these ingredients have found their way into products like gummies and drinks that can be purchased by younger consumers at gas stations and convenience stores.

Senator Steve Daines Joins Coalition to Stop Whole Kratom Leaf & 7-OH

Montana Senator Steve Daines recently joined a coalition to help get whole kratom leaf and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act in a letter to the FDA.

"We are particularly concerned with the products that appeal to teenagers and children. Kratom-derived concentrates in forms like tablets, gummies, and drink mixes are available online and in gas stations," the letter to the FDA says, "This makes them easily accessible and attractive to young Americans."

"Recommending scheduling action of 7-OH under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is an important first step. However, we encourage you to consider scheduling the whole kratom leaf, given that some of the most accessible and addictive products contain whole kratom leaf, not 7 OH."

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The letter goes on to compare the similarities of whole kratom leaf and 7-OH to opioids with a focus on how it needs to be regulated federally.

"Some cities, counties and states have responded by banning kratom or raising the
minimum purchase age to 18 or 21. But in many areas, enforcement remains inconsistent, and some addiction specialists say clearer federal guidance is needed," the letter says.

"We remain committed to protecting America’s youth from dangerous and addictive substances and look forward to working with you to address the full scope of the rising danger of the kratom plant through the CSA."