Recent Op-Ed Warns Arizona Bill Could Divert Law Enforcement From Fentanyl Crisis

In a new guest column, former sergeant Terry Blevins argues Arizona House Bill 2415, which would criminalize 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a compound found in kratom, would force officers to spend time and resources on inspections, lab testing, and complex enforcement, rather than targeting deadly opioid trafficking.

• Arizona loses more than five lives a day to opioid overdoses, largely driven by fentanyl, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
• The state has been under a public health emergency since 2017.
• HB 2415 could divert law enforcement from fentanyl investigations to policing a substance not driving the crisis.

Blevins warns the bill would create a costly and burdensome enforcement regime, requiring officers to interpret chemical thresholds, conduct product seizures, and rely on expensive lab testing, resources that could otherwise be used to combat violent crime and drug trafficking.

He also raises concerns about unintended consequences, noting that 7-OH has helped some individuals, including veterans and law enforcement officers, avoid returning to opioid dependence.

“Good policy helps law enforcement focus on the biggest threats and use limited resources wisely. HB 2415 does the opposite. Arizona lawmakers should vote no. Every hour spent policing 7-OH is an hour not spent fighting fentanyl and the criminal networks that continue to tear Arizona communities apart,” Blevins writes.

Arizona lawmakers should reject HB 2415 and keep law enforcement focused on the fight against fentanyl.

HART is urging lawmakers and regulators to adopt a framework that protects consumers while preserving access for responsible adults, including:

• Mandatory lab testing and clear labeling of alkaloid content
• Age restrictions and child-resistant packaging
• Manufacturing standards and retailer accountability
• Targeted enforcement against adulterated, mislabeled, or illicit products

“If the goal is public health, the solution is regulation, not a ban that guarantees a black market, reduces transparency, and harms the very people seeking safer alternatives,” said Jeff Smith, Policy Director for the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART).

A growing grassroots response has emerged nationally, with organizers pointing to tens of thousands of Americans urging regulators to choose science-based regulation over prohibition, according to a recent press release from 7-HOPE Alliance, a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3) pending) dedicated to advancing public education, user support, and policy advocacy around 7-OH.

About Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART)

The Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) is a nonprofit policy organization dedicated to advancing safe, evidence-based access to natural alternatives for recovery and wellness. HART advocates for scientific transparency, consumer safety, and regulatory accountability in emerging health and wellness industries. Learn more at hartsupporter.com.

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