HART Calls for Science-Based Regulation of 7-OH Following New York Times Report

A recent New York Times investigation examining Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s approach to kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) sheds new light on what HART has warned about for months: much of the campaign against 7-OH is being driven not by science or public health concerns, but by a growing battle for market share within the kratom industry itself.

“The New York Times story confirms what consumers, advocates, researchers, and others have long argued: the misinformation surrounding 7-OH, which has fueled proposed bans and scheduling efforts, was never truly about public safety. It was about money,” said Jeff Smith, Ph.D., Executive Director of HART. “As Secretary Kennedy and federal regulators consider the future of 7-OH, they should understand that much of the pressure to ban these products is coming from competing industry interests seeking to eliminate a rival product category. Policymakers should follow the science, not the market incentives of special interest groups.”

“The debate over 7-OH should be decided by science, safety data, and consumer outcomes, not by which segment of the kratom industry has the loudest lobbying operation,” Smith added. “Millions of consumers remain caught in the middle as policymakers consider restrictions that could impact access to products responsible adults use for pain management, wellness, and recovery support.”

The overlap between rising political funding tied to MAHA-aligned efforts and escalating attacks on 7-OH is raising red flags for consumer advocates.

Notable Observations:

• The fight over 7-OH increasingly appears to be a battle for market share, not a public health debate.
• A $500,000 donation from Botanic Tonics (maker of Feel Free and a major funder of the Global Kratom Coalition) to the MAHA PAC tied to RFK Jr., the largest contribution in the past year.
• The donation came as federal scrutiny of 7-OH intensified and federal cases against Feel Free were dropped.
• U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, whose financial stakes in Botanic Tonics were detailed in a recent Forbes article, stood alongside federal officials when he was a U.S. Senator and advocated for federal action targeting 7-OH.
• Growing evidence of industry-funded research, coordinated messaging, and lobbying efforts aimed at sidelining 7-OH as a market competitor.

HART’s argument has been consistent for over a year: this isn’t about safety, it’s about market control inside a billion-dollar industry, with 7-OH becoming the scapegoat.

HART urges Secretary Kennedy and federal policymakers to base decisions on scientific evidence, consumer outcomes, and product safety standards, not industry rivalries.

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

“This is a familiar playbook,” Smith added. “Control the science, control the narrative, and eliminate competition.”

What is 7-hydroxymitragynine?

7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is an alkaloid found in the kratom plant and has become a focus of ongoing regulatory and scientific discussions regarding consumer access, product safety, and appropriate regulatory standards.

HART maintains that several commonly cited claims about 7-OH, including its origin, pharmacology, and safety profile, require additional scientific context and should be evaluated based on current research and human-use data rather than isolated laboratory findings.

The organization supports continued research, product testing standards, age restrictions, manufacturing controls, and evidence-based regulation.

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.

Disclaimer

HART supports a science-based regulatory pathway that preserves access to naturally derived 7-OH products. While the FDA and state health departments have issued safety alerts citing 7-OH as a potential public health threat, HART contends that these risks are primarily associated with mislabeled, adulterated, or highly manipulated products, not naturally occurring alkaloids found in the kratom leaf itself. 7-OH products marketed by HART members comply with FDA’s adulteration standard for dietary supplements; further, 7-OH is not lab-made nor fully synthetic, it is naturally-derived from kratom, the same plant that all other kratom products come from, and undergoes a simple, one-step oxidation process, similar to how vitamin C is stabilized for supplements. Consumers are urged to consult with a healthcare professional before using any dietary supplements.

Media Contact

HART Media
media@hartsupporter.com