7-HOPE Alliance (“7-HOPE”), a trailblazing nonprofit coalition dedicated to protecting legal access to kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), today announced a major legislative victory in California, as all language targeting 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) has been completely removed from SB 758 (Umberg), a bill that initially sought to criminalize all 7-OH products statewide.
The change follows intense scrutiny by the Senate Public Safety Committee, where lawmakers raised serious concerns about the scientific claims being presented in support of singling out 7-OH, and questioned how those claims aligned with available evidence. Committee members also heard extensive public testimony from consumers, advocates, scientists, and healthcare voices urging the state not to criminalize 7-OH and instead pursue a thoughtful, evidence-based regulatory approach.
On Jan 13th, the day of the hearing, kratom and 7-OH advocates showed up in force at the California State Capitol, delivering in-person testimony and public comment that challenged the narrative being presented and put real-world experience front and center. Their presence and compelling testimony played a key role in shifting the tone of the hearing and raising serious questions among committee members about the bill’s original approach.
As a result of those efforts, the bill was amended to remove all 7-OH-specific language.
“This is a major win not just for California consumers and vendors, but for science-based drug policy nationwide,” said Jackie Subeck, founder and executive director of the 7-HOPE Alliance. “Lawmakers asked hard questions, listened to the evidence, and heard directly from the people whose lives would have been impacted. Our advocates showed up on hearing day and made it impossible to ignore the disconnect between the claims being made and the science and lived experience in front of the committee. When the science didn’t hold up and the testimony was overwhelming, they chose not to move forward with criminalizing 7-OH. That’s exactly how this process should work.”
During the hearing, multiple committee members expressed discomfort with how 7-OH was being positioned, noting inconsistencies between the claims made by proponents of the ban and the data before the committee.
“I’m alive today because I had access to 7-OH,” said Zach L., a consumer and recovery advocate. “After years of opioid addiction, overdoses, and treatments that left me numb instead of healed, 7-OH gave me a way to stabilize, stay present, and rebuild my life with my family. If California had moved forward with criminalizing it, people like me across the country would have gotten the message that our lives don’t matter. This decision shows there is another path — one that prioritizes evidence, regulation, and harm reduction over fear. That’s the approach we need everywhere, not just here.”
The 7-HOPE Alliance emphasized that while this development represents a significant victory, it also reinforces the need for ongoing engagement and collaboration to advance responsible regulation that prioritizes public health, consumer safety, and access to harm-reduction tools.
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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