Senator Marshall Urges Immediate DEA Action on 7-OH Substances

Washington - On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), sent a follow-up letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reiterating his call for immediate action to schedule 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and related synthetic opioid products.

The letter follows Senator Marshall's October correspondence to DEA Administrator Terrence Cole, in which he urged the agency to act swiftly to emergency schedule 7-OH and related compounds that are being falsely marketed as "kratom extracts" despite their extreme potency and high risk of addiction.

In early December, the FDA seized approximately 73,000 illegal 7-OH products from three Kansas City-area warehouses after inspections showed the companies continued distribution despite FDA warnings. The seized products, marketed as dietary supplements such as liquid shots, tablets, and power bars, contained concentrated 7-OH.

In his letter to DEA Administrator Cole, Senator Marshall wrote:

"Dear Administrator,

I am writing to urge the Drug Enforcement Administration to take immediate action by scheduling 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and enforcing the Controlled Substance Analogue Enforcement Act of 1986 with respect to this substance.

The evidence is clear. 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is a potent synthetic opioid agonist with significant addictive potential, rapid tolerance buildup, and well-documented withdrawal symptoms. It does not qualify as a naturally occurring dietary ingredient in any substantive commercial context. Instead, it is isolated, concentrated, synthesized, and marketed primarily for its narcotic effects. Its pharmacology more closely resembles that of fentanyl than any traditional botanical supplement, and its risk profile poses a grave threat to public health.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already taken decisive steps on this matter, and the scientific consensus is firmly established. What is now required is prompt scheduling and enforcement by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

To underscore the pressing nature of this scheduling decision, on December 3^rd, the Department of Justice and FDA seized thousands of units of 7-OH products from warehouses around Kansas City. These seizures occurred as a result of FDA inspections showing these companies continued to distribute illegal 7-OH products after receiving warning letters from the FDA. These companies are continuing to defy warnings from the FDA, and more serious action needs to be taken to ensure these dangerous products are kept away from people.

The Controlled Substance Analogue Act was designed explicitly for scenarios like this: a synthetic compound that is chemically and pharmacologically akin to a Schedule I or II controlled substance, intended for human consumption, and eliciting similar effects. The criteria are clearly satisfied.

Each day of inaction heightens public exposure, legitimizes illicit distribution, and bolsters criminal networks. I strongly implore the DEA to act expeditiously and schedule 7-hydroxymitragynine at the appropriate level."

Click HERE to read the full letter.

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