7-HOPE Alliance, a consumer protection non-profit dedicated to science and public education on 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and kratom, today released a proposed regulatory framework for kratom and 7-OH products as policymakers across the country instead consider bans and restrictions on the substances.
Key highlights:
- 7-HOPE Alliance releases a regulatory model for kratom and 7-OH designed to protect consumers and prevent underage access.
- The organization warns that bans will push consumers into unregulated and unsafe markets while removing an important wellness and harm reduction option used by adults.
- The proposal includes age restrictions, milligram-based dosing limits, independent third-party testing, strict labeling requirements and limiting sales to age-gated retail environments rather than gas stations or convenience stores.
As lawmakers across the United States continue introducing bans on kratom and 7-OH, effectively criminalizing more than 20 million consumers, 7-HOPE Alliance is advocating for a science-based approach to national policy. History shows that bans do not eliminate demand and instead risk pushing consumers toward unregulated markets without safety standards. The organization is urging policymakers to adopt clear, enforceable rules that protect consumer access, ensure product safety, and prevent youth access all while limiting where these age-gated products can be sold
Under the proposed regulatory standards, the organization recommends a series of common-sense safeguards designed to protect consumers while ensuring Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) measures across the supply chain.
Key elements of the proposed policy model for kratom and all its alkaloids include:
- Strict age restrictions, requiring consumers to be 21 years or older
- Sales limited to age-verified retail environments. Gas stations and convenience stores will not be permitted under these standards.
- Milligram-based limits on active compounds
- Mandatory independent third-party testing for potency, contaminants, and product purity
- Transparent labeling that clearly discloses ingredients, dosage, and source materials
- Child-resistant packaging and responsible marketing standards
“Our message to policymakers is simple: regulation works, prohibition does not,” said Jackie Subeck, Executive Director of 7-HOPE Alliance. “Adults deserve access to products they rely on, but we understand and agree that that access should come with clear safety standards. Our framework protects safe access for consumers, prevents underage access, creates accountability across the supply chain and protects the entire plant.”
Drug policy experts, researchers, and advocates say the proposed policy solution reflects the type of consumer protections already used for other age-restricted products while ensuring that adults maintain safe access to products they responsibly rely on.
“While full bans continue to advance in states across the country, there has been little meaningful movement toward a real national regulatory model. This proposal fills that gap by offering policymakers a practical path forward grounded in consumer safety, regulated access, and accountability,” added Subeck.
7-HOPE Alliance plans to share the proposed regulatory strategy with lawmakers, regulators, and public health officials nationwide as the policy debate around kratom and 7-OH continues to evolve.
“The conversation should not be about prohibition,” Subeck added. “It should be about how we implement responsible safeguards for the kratom plant and all its alkaloids that protects consumers, maintains adult access and keeps products out of the hands of minors, while simultaneously bringing transparency and accountability to the marketplace.”
About 7-HOPE Alliance
7-HOPE Alliance (7-Hydroxy Outreach for Public Education) is a non-profit consumer protection organization (501(c)(3)) dedicated to advancing public education, user support, and policy advocacy around 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a naturally occurring alkaloid in the kratom plant. Through a foundation of science, storytelling, and community, 7-HOPE empowers individuals, healthcare professionals, and policymakers with accurate, balanced information on 7-OH and its role in harm reduction, natural wellness, and safe, legal access to alternatives. The organization’s mission centers on four pillars: science, education, advocacy, and user support. By confronting misinformation, promoting responsible use, and providing uplifting real-life testimonials, 7-HOPE aims to ensure 7-OH remains available to the many individuals who find it to be a safe and effective harm reduction tool. For more information or to get involved, visit 7hopealliance.org.
Media Contact
7-HOPE Alliance
media@7hopealliance.org
