7-HOPE Alliance ("7-HOPE"), a trailblazing nonprofit coalition dedicated to protecting legal access to 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), today voiced strong support for a newly filed lawsuit in Florida that challenges the Attorney General’s emergency ban on 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). The emergency order, issued without public notice or hearings, classified 7-OH, a natural alkaloid found in the kratom plant, as a Schedule I controlled substance, immediately criminalizing its sale, possession, and use across the state.
Filed before the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings, the petition argues that the state’s actions were unlawful, unnecessary, and carried out without due process. The rule has already forced job losses, business closures, and stripped thousands of consumers of a product they rely on as a safer alternative for wellness and recovery.
“This action is a textbook example of government overreach,” said Jackie Subeck, founder and executive director of 7-HOPE Alliance. “We are proud to see Florida consumers and small retailers stand up to protect their rights and push back against a decision that stripped access to safe, regulated wellness products overnight. This was a politically-motivated move made without transparency or fairness, and we stand firmly behind this petition and the people brave enough to file it.”
The filing argues several key points, many of which are true of 7-OH attacks across the nation:
- No threat to public safety: There is no verified evidence that 7-OH has caused harm or overdose deaths when used on its own.
- Existing state regulation: 7-OH has been legally sold in Florida for years under the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which already regulates its use and sale.
- No due process: The emergency rule was issued without public input, notice, or consultation with affected businesses and consumers.
- Inconsistent and arbitrary: The rule bans 7-OH but allows the mitragynine alkaloid, even though the human body naturally converts mitragynine into 7-OH.
- Harm to consumers and small businesses: The sudden ban has left consumers without safe options and caused significant economic damage across the state.
7-HOPE Alliance is calling on the Division of Administrative Hearings to declare the emergency rule was fueled solely by political and corporate interests rather than science, and that this rule holds no legal weight, is completely invalid and the State will restore lawful access to these products immediately. The group views this case as one of the first in a growing movement across the country to challenge unlawful and punitive classifications that threaten consumer rights, small businesses, and access to safer alternatives.
7-HOPE Alliance remains committed to advancing public education and awareness around 7-OH through science, transparency, and community engagement. The organization works with researchers, policymakers, and consumers to separate fact from misinformation and ensure discussions about natural wellness products are grounded in evidence — not fear or politics.
About 7-HOPE Alliance
7-HOPE Alliance (7-Hydroxy Outreach for Public Education) is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3) pending) 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 alternative to dangerous painkillers and illegal drugs. For more information or to get involved, visit 7hopealliance.org.
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