Bresnahan Urges DEA Take Emergency Action on Dangerous Chemically Manipulated 7-OH

WASHINGTON, DC: On March 27, 2026, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) sent a letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) urging immediate emergency scheduling of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a chemically manipulated derivative of kratom with opioid-like effects. The letter, sent to DEA Administrator Terrance Cole, calls on the agency to use its emergency authority to halt the rapid spread of these high-risk products while permanent scheduling is evaluated.

"These products now commonly appear in fast-absorption formats such as sublingual and chewable tabs, rapid-dissolve tablets, and gummies," wrote Rep. Bresnahan. "These forms deliver 7-OH into the bloodstream within minutes, producing intense, opioid-like euphoria that dissipates quickly - encouraging compulsive redosing and dramatically increasing addiction liability."

7-OH is derived from kratom leaves but, when chemically manipulated, can reach potency levels up to 50 times stronger than mitragynine, the plant's primary active compound, and 13 times more potent than morphine.

"DEA's emergency-scheduling authority is the most effective tool available to immediately halt the spread of these synthetic products while the permanent scheduling is evaluated," continued Rep. Bresnahan. "Without swift action, the proliferation of these high-risk substances will continue exposing consumers to opioid-class dangers."

Emergency scheduling allows the DEA to temporarily classify dangerous substances as Schedule I when they pose an imminent threat to public safety.

The full letter can be found here or below:

Dear Administrator Cole:

We write today to strongly urge the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to initiate temporary emergency scheduling of chemically manipulated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). This action is urgently needed to protect consumers from a rapidly expanding marketplace of dangerous synthetic products that are being deceptively sold as natural, despite having entirely different pharmacological effects and risks.

Since the July 29, 2025, recommendations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that directly targeted the 7-OH market, manufacturers of the synthetic products, have accelerated their marketing efforts. These products now commonly appear in fast-absorption formats such a s sublingual and chewable tabs, rapid-dissolve tablets, and gummies.

These forms deliver 7-OH into the bloodstream within minutes, producing intense, opioid-like euphoria that dissipates quickly - encouraging compulsive redosing and dramatically increasing addiction liability.

Congress has already made clear its intent regarding this issue. In the Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the recently enacted government-funding legislation, Congress stated:

"The conferees express grave concern regarding the proliferation of chemically manipulated derivatives of mitragynine, including high-concentration 7-hydroxymitragynine products, which pose significant and immediate public-health risks. The conferees strongly support swift administrative action by the Drug Enforcement Administration, consistent with the July 29, 2025, recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services to prevent these potent synthetic substances from remaining accessible to consumers."

DEA's emergency-scheduling authority is the most effective tool available to immediately halt the spread of these synthetic products while the permanent scheduling is evaluated. Without swift action, the proliferation of these high-risk substances will continue exposing consumers to opioid-class dangers.

We respectfully urge DEA to act without delay.

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