UNDATED (WKRC) – A potentially dangerous drug is being offered at some smoke shops.
The Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) is sounding the alarm over the public health risks associated with products labeled as 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). These products, often falsely marketed as kratom leaf extracts, are synthetically produced and pose significant dangers, according to the association.
“Synthetic 7-OH is not kratom—it is a highly potent, unregulated chemical,” said Professor Paula Brown of the BC Institute of Technology. “Consumers have a right to transparency, yet these products are often mislabeled and marketed deceptively as natural extracts. Without proper quality and safety testing, they carry a significant risk of causing harm.”
SABER highlighted several key concerns:
- – **Potency and Abuse Potential:** Synthetic 7-OH is up to 30 times more potent than morphine at opioid receptors, increasing the risk of dependence and overdose.
- – **Masquerading as Natural Products:** These synthetic products are often deceptively marketed as “natural kratom extracts,” misleading consumers into believing they are purchasing a safer, plant-based product.
- – **Health Risks:** Due to the lack of clinical safety data, synthetic 7-OH products pose severe risks, including respiratory depression, toxicity, and addiction.
- – **Regulatory Non-Compliance:** Synthetic 7-OH does not meet FDA definitions of a food or dietary ingredient and is considered an unapproved drug. Many states, including Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah, have enacted bans on synthetic 7-OH exceeding 2% of total alkaloid content in products.
Popular YouTuber Goblin, whose real name is Nicholas Campana, said “7-OH” has become the “latest smoke-shop craze” in a recent video regarding the substance.
“The companies that are selling this to you and the smoke shops that are selling this to you are not properly warning you about what this product really can do to you,” Campana said during the video, which has been viewed more than 250,000 times.
During the video, Campana claims that he was contacted by an individual involved in one of the “leading brands in the space,” who wanted to talk “off the record.”
After he received a message from the unidentified individual, Campana said it was “too egregious” for him to proceed. The following message is displayed during the video posted by Campana:
“I wanna have a real (expletive) conversation with you about the whole 7oh industry. I was one of the people who helped set this whole thing into motion and I know more about it than 99% of people. There’s things that as a company we can’t “legally” say, but I don’t want to have to watch my words because of liability reasons. (Redacted) said you wanted to record the conversation, so that complicates things further. But I really just want to be real with you and give you my perspective as someone with chronic pain, someone who is actively addicted to 7oh, and someone who helped build this monster.”
“Funny thing is, in the early days I tried contacting you through your email because I wanted to send you some samples and get your opinion on what we we’re doing.”
“So lmk if you have any ideas on how we can have a truly open dialogue where I don’t have to watch my words or worry about our conversation biting the whole industry in the (expletive.)”
Campana goes on to reveal an email that he received from the company “7ohmz,” which appears to invite him test its “flagship product,” described as “an isolate of the most potent kratom alkaloid 7-hydroxy-mitragynine.”
“Based on your review videos we think you will really love our product and would like to send you some free samples to try,” the email to Campana reads.
Campana, who openly describes himself as a recovering drug addict, said he became “very mad, very quickly” after he realized what the company had offered to send him.
“They had the nerve to send an email to someone who is very publicly a recovering drug addict and offer me a drug that they fully know is very addictive and will activate my opioid receptors and then chose to not warn me about it what-so-ever,” Campana said during the video.
While researching the “7-OH” market, Campana found that companies marketed to consumers using language such as “perks,” “syrup,” “roxy” and “sippers only” on branding labels and packaging.
“There is so much out there that is just predatory, targeting the absolute, most-vulnerable consumer,” Campana said.
Cheech and Chong’s currently offers a 7-OH product called “Kosmic Ludes,” and describes the tablets as the company’s “strongest ride yet,” adding that “some say they’re better than their namesake from 50 years back,” seemingly in reference to “Quaaludes.”
Under the “Frequently Asked Questions” portion of the Cheech and Chong webpage, the question “Can I Take Kosmic Ludes Every Day?” can be found. It is answered by the company as follows:
“Ehhh, we probably wouldn’t. We recommend using Kosmic Ludes as a special treat, not a daily habit. Moderation is key, man.”
An investigation by The Tampa Bay Timesfound that the tablets in one 7-OH product in particular were so strong that University of Florida scientist Abhisheak Sharma likened them to “legal morphine” and advised they shouldn’t be sold to consumers.
A representative for the “7-OH” company in question reportedly hung up when reached by a reporter with The Times.
SABER said it is urging policymakers to enforce stricter regulations on synthetic 7-OH products and calls for penalties against manufacturers that mislead consumers. The association advocates for comprehensive legislation aligned with Kratom Consumer Protection Acts to safeguard the public and ensure access to safe, natural kratom products.
“It is imperative swift action is taken to close regulatory loopholes that allow dangerous synthetic 7-OH products to infiltrate the market,” said SABER. “Consumers, health professionals, and legislators must unite to demand accountability and ensure safety.”
Leave a Reply