The Fight for Botanicals

Fresno city officials have reversed course on a proposed kratom ban, instead approving an ordinance that permits the sale of natural-leaf kratom to adults while banning concentrated derivatives. Under the new law, taking effect in January 2026, retailers may sell kratom products only to customers aged 21 and over, provided levels of the psychoactive compound 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) remain below 1% of total alkaloids.

Councilmember Nelson Esparza, who introduced the amendment, said the goal was to balance public safety with respect for kratom’s traditional cultural use. Fresno County is considering a similar policy with a 2% 7-OH limit.

Read the full report by Tim Sheehan via KVPR.

DENVER – Colorado’s new Daniel Bregger Act is reshaping the conversation around kratom by tightening safety rules without banning the herbal supplement that many users credit with easing pain and opioid withdrawal. The law caps highly concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine products, restricts sales to adults over 21 and requires clearer labeling, moves designed to steer consumers toward traditional leaf-based kratom and away from risky gas-station style shots.​

Researchers, backed by multimillion-dollar NIH funding, are simultaneously probing kratom’s alkaloids as candidates for safer pain medicines and treatments for opioid dependence. Early work suggests some compounds may relieve pain and withdrawal with less danger of respiratory depression, strengthening calls to regulate, not prohibit, kratom. A fuller exploration of these developments appears in The Conversation’s analysis.

As Los Angeles County health officials move to ban the sale of kratom and synthetic 7-OH, advocates warn that sweeping prohibition may not be the answer. In a recent letter to the editor, Yael Ossowski of the Consumer Choice Center argues that states like Rhode Island have shown a better path—enacting dosage standards, labeling requirements, and age restrictions, rather than criminalizing millions of users. Ossowski highlights that overdose cases linked to kratom and 7-OH often involve multiple substances, making transparent market rules more essential than ever. The letter urges policymakers to focus on safe regulation instead of outright bans, promoting consumer safety and clarity. Read the original letter in the Los Angeles Times for further details.

Governor Andy Beshear has announced a new measure targeting 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a synthetic and concentrated derivative of the kratom plant, by classifying it as a Schedule I narcotic in Kentucky. The move makes it illegal to sell, possess, or distribute any isolated or concentrated forms of 7-OH, a substance with the potential for abuse due to its strong binding to opioid receptors.

Officials emphasized that this action is aimed at protecting public health and sustaining progress in reducing overdose deaths—Kentucky has seen declines for three consecutive years. Importantly, while 7-OH occurs naturally in kratom in small amounts, it is the concentrated, synthetic versions in products like shots, powders, or capsules that are now under scrutiny. The new regulation does not target natural kratom, only these potent derivatives.

For more details, see the original reporting at LEX18.com.

Toledo officials have unanimously approved a local ordinance banning the sale of synthetic kratom products, stepping up efforts to control lab-made versions of the herbal supplement. Council member Sam Melden, who championed the proposal, noted that naturally sourced kratom leaves remain unaffected by the restriction pending further study.

“This measure focuses squarely on synthetic and derivative forms sold in shops across the city,” Melden explained.

The council’s decision aligns with broader discussions at the state level, as Governor Mike DeWine continues to press for tighter kratom oversight across Ohio. Traditional kratom, derived from a Southeast Asian plant, is still legal and commonly used for pain relief, mood support, and managing withdrawal symptoms.

Full article available at MSN News.

Natural leaf kratom should not be conflated with its potent synthetic derivatives, says Dr. C. Michael White, a University of Connecticut pharmacy professor and chair of the Kratom Consumer Advisory Council. In his recent Hartford Courant opinion piece, White stresses that while synthetic opioids derived from kratom’s alkaloids—such as 7-hydroxymitragynine—pose serious addiction risks, natural kratom leaves have a much milder pharmacological profile. The council supports Connecticut’s proposed framework requiring product registration, lab certification, and age restrictions, ensuring consumer safety without restricting access for responsible adult users. White argues that maintaining legal access to natural kratom may offer a safer alternative for those managing chronic pain or opioid dependence, provided appropriate safeguards are in place.

As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration moves to classify 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)—a naturally occurring compound in kratom—as a controlled substance, advocates warn that banning it could harm consumers who rely on the plant for relief. Kratom, used for centuries in Southeast Asia, is valued in the U.S. for its natural ability to boost energy and ease pain. Supporters say responsible use has helped many reduce dependence on traditional opioids. Dr. Michele Ross of the 7-HOPE Alliance says more research, not prohibition, is the answer. “If you’re a chronic pain patient, your pain doesn’t go away just because something becomes illegal,” she said. Many hope regulators will explore kratom’s therapeutic potential before restricting access.
Source: MSN

JACKSON, Tenn. — Community members and local leaders gathered this month to discuss the future of kratom in Jackson. The Jackson City Council, during its September 2 meeting, raised the idea of introducing regulations on the distribution of the plant-based product.

District 73 Representative Chris Todd emphasized the importance of oversight, noting particular concern around underage sales. While Tennessee currently does not regulate kratom, lawmakers say they will continue exploring options to ensure responsible use and distribution.

The discussion reflects a growing national conversation about kratom, which is used by many adults as a natural product while also drawing attention from policymakers.

For the full report, visit WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is recommending federal scheduling for highly concentrated kratom products containing synthetic or enhanced 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a powerful opioid-like compound, following regulatory actions in states like Mississippi. The FDA stresses its proposal does not target natural kratom leaf products, which contain only low levels of 7-OH, but rather focuses on lab-made or fortified products that may contain up to 98% 7-OH.

Mississippi’s new law, HB 1077, bans kratom products with more than 1% 7-OH and restricts sales to those age 21 and over. Advocates argue natural kratom helps people avoid stronger opioids, while critics cite the heightened risk of synthetic products. The debate continues, with more details at the original Northside Sun article and in the FDA’s official press release.