The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) commends U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Attorney General Pam Bondi for their coordinated federal enforcement action on Wednesday, Sept. 10, targeting illegal products sold in gas stations and vape shops, including products containing concentrated synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a novel illegal synthetic opioid. The operations, carried out across six states and including the largest seizure in Bensenville, Illinois of 600,000 units, represent a critical step in protecting consumers from dangerous, unregulated synthetic products.
“Today’s enforcement actions demonstrate the federal government’s commitment to consumer safety with this action against highly potent synthetic 7-OH opioid products that pose significant public health risks,” said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. “We applaud Secretary Kennedy and Attorney General Bondi for prioritizing the removal of these illicit opioid products from the market. We also applaud the distinction made between natural, legal products and illegal synthetics with this targeted action.”
The targeted operations, executed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), included civil enforcement actions against five distributors and nine retailers across Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, and North Carolina. The products seized included illegally flavored vapes, THC-infused vapes, and illicit concentrated synthetic 7-OH products.
“Consumers need to be aware of the growing presence of concentrated synthetic 7-OH opioid products in the marketplace, which are entirely different from traditional natural leaf kratom,” Lowe added. “These concentrated synthetic products are pure novel opioids that are 13 times more potent than morphine, and should be treated as controlled substances. By cracking down on these dangerous drugs, federal authorities are taking the proper actions to safeguard public health while allowing continued access to natural leaf kratom under responsible conditions.”
In addition to the actions taken by Secretary Kennedy and Attorney General Bondi, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen also issued a warning on Wed., Sept. 3 to state residents of Montana regarding the dangers of synthetic concentrated 7-OH opioid products. “Please educate yourself and your family about the dangers of (concentrated synthetic) 7-OH. The drug may look harmless at the convenience store, but it can take your life,” Attorney General Knudsen said in a statement. “As Attorney General, I will continue to do everything in my power to educate Montanans about the dangers of drugs, specifically opioids and the devastating impact they can have on Montanans and our communities.”
The Global Kratom Coalition continues to advocate for a science-based regulatory approach that protects consumers, removes bad actors producing concentrated synthetic products, and ensures safe access to natural leaf kratom, which has been used for centuries as a botanical supplement.
About Global Kratom Coalition
The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit globalkratomcoalition.org.
Media Contact
Patrick George
info@globalkratomcoalition.org
+1 916-202-1982
