Kratom and 7-OH in Florida: What Changed in 2026 and What Replaced It
By Joni McMurchy, MSN, PMHNP-BC · Inner Compass Mind Health · Last reviewed September 18, 2026
Key takeaways
Kratom leaf, powder, and tea are still legal in Florida. Concentrated 7-OH and related compounds are Schedule I under Florida emergency rule.
On August 26, 2026, the DEA temporarily scheduled three 7-OH–related compounds. A separate proposal to control 7-OH itself above a set concentration was still pending in mid-September.
"7-OH alternatives" (stronger mitragynine-heavy extracts and altered look-alikes) can still raise the risk of tolerance and dependence.
Regular use of plain leaf can also cause dependence, and the risk rises with dose and frequency.
Treatment exists. Buprenorphine is the medication used most often, the evidence is small case series, and telehealth care is available anywhere in Florida.
For generations, kratom was a leaf, chewed fresh or steeped into tea. Then it became a powder in a bag, a tea at the kava bar, a capsule from the shop down the road. Lately it has become something else again. Now it's a fruit-flavored tablet or a liquid shot at the gas station counter, with a label that says "natural" and an effect that often isn't.
If any of that sounds familiar, this post is for you. There's no lecture here, just what's changed, what the research says, and what your options are.
What is 7-OH, and how is it different from kratom leaf?
Quick answer: 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is a compound found in tiny amounts in kratom leaf. The products in the news are concentrated or chemically modified versions, which makes them much stronger and more likely to act like a classic opioid.
Kratom leaf contains dozens of active compounds. Mitragynine is the main one, and the body converts some of it into 7-OH during digestion. In the leaf itself, Florida's Attorney General puts 7-OH at trace levels of roughly 0.01–0.04%. The tablets, gummies, and shots are a different animal, concentrated far beyond what you'd get from tea or powder.
Scientists don't fully agree on how much breathing risk comes with ordinary leaf. The FDA warns that kratom compounds can cause opioid-type effects, including slowed breathing that can be fatal. A NIDA direct-observation study of regular users found no respiratory depression at typical whole-leaf servings (Henningfield et al., 2024). A 2026 review concludes that purified and semi-synthetic compounds carry a higher risk of dependence and overdose than leaf (Aly & Grundmann, 2026). So leaf and concentrate are not the same risk, and neither is risk-free.
What changed in Florida?
Quick answer: Concentrated 7-OH and related compounds are Schedule I in Florida under emergency rules from the Attorney General. Ordinary kratom leaf, powder, and tea are not.
August 2025: An emergency rule made isolated or concentrated 7-OH illegal to sell, possess, or distribute, while regular kratom tea stayed legal.
June 2026: New products appeared that skirted the first rule, so the state expanded it to cover related compounds. The rule also set concentration limits of 1 milligram per gram for solids and pills, or per milliliter for liquids.
Labeling: Kratom products must now declare their 7-OH concentration on the label.
Florida has revised these rules more than once, and emergency rules can change quickly. Check the Attorney General's newsroom for the current version, and remember that local rules can differ.
What changed at the federal level?
Quick answer: On August 26, 2026, the DEA temporarily placed three 7-OH–related compounds in Schedule I. A separate proposal to control 7-OH itself above a set concentration was still pending in mid-September.
The August order covers mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16, and runs through August 2028. The 7-OH proposal uses a cutoff of roughly 0.05% and had not been issued as of early September. Plain leaf below that line is not what the federal action is aimed at.
7-OH is off the shelf. So what replaced it?
Quick answer: As concentrated 7-OH gets pulled from Florida stores, the market has shifted to "replacement" products, often sold as "7-OH alternatives." These are stronger, mitragynine-heavy extracts and chemically altered look-alikes. Some are legal, but legal isn't the same as low-risk. Tolerance and dependence come from how your body adapts to kratom's active compounds, not from the name of one molecule on the label.
Concentrated 7-OH has largely disappeared from Florida shelves. State officials report removing more than 23,000 illegal 7-OH packages from retailers. The demand didn't disappear with the product.
Florida's first rule was followed by a wave of modified compounds designed to slip past it, which is why the state expanded the rule in June 2026. The DEA describes the same cycle. Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl showed up in consumer products in 2024 and MGM-15 in September 2025. They were sold as tablets, chewables, and shots, branded as "botanical" or as mood boosters. Since August 26, all three compounds (plus MGM-16) are federally Schedule I.
The next wave is products built around mitragynine. Florida's rule allows a small amount of 7-OH only if a product contains at least 100 times more mitragynine. As currently proposed, neither federal notice schedules mitragynine itself.
Here's the catch. Mitragynine acts on the same opioid receptors as 7-OH, just less strongly, and tolerance and dependence are simply the body adapting to repeated exposure. Research on regular users found that withdrawal and kratom use disorder symptoms rise with dose, and even more with how often someone uses (Rogers et al., 2024a). Concentration matters too. Native leaf is roughly 2–5% alkaloids, while concentrated extracts can reach up to 60% (Vadiei et al., 2025). A 2026 review concluded that purified compounds, mainly mitragynine and semi-synthetic 7-OH, are likely linked to a higher risk of dependence and overdose than leaf (Aly & Grundmann, 2026). The CDC has also flagged high-potency alkaloid products as a growing toxicity concern (Towers et al., 2026).
The honest limit: No human laboratory studies of concentrated extracts exist yet (Rogers et al., 2024b), and the newest replacement products haven't been studied directly. This is an evidence-based expectation, not a measured rate. In large user samples, about 96% of regular users used whole leaf and only about 4% used extracts, so data on extracts is thin.
If you switched products to avoid withdrawal, don't stack products or reach for another opioid. Read the label (Florida now requires 7-OH concentration to be declared) and bring the actual product to your visit, because exactly what you're taking shapes the plan.
Why this matters if you use kratom every day
Kratom is no longer niche. National surveys estimated about 1.7 million past-year users in 2021 and 1.9 million in 2022. Poison-center reports about kratom rose more than 1,200% between 2015 and 2025, from 258 to 3,434 (Towers et al., 2026). When a product you rely on gets scarce, you can end up in withdrawal or scrambling for a substitute, and the DEA notes that the identity, purity, and quality of these newer products are often uncertain. Neither outcome is a good place to be making decisions from.
Is kratom addictive? An honest answer
It depends on the person and the product. Regular use can cause tolerance, cravings, and withdrawal, and some people meet criteria for kratom use disorder.
In a national study of 357 daily or near-daily users, about two-thirds met those criteria, mostly at the mild end and mostly through tolerance and withdrawal rather than life falling apart. Many said kratom helped them function (Smith et al., 2024a). A small but real minority develop life-disrupting problems (Smith, Epstein & Weiss, 2024).
Concentrated 7-OH changes the math. The DEA reports that chronic 7-OH use has sent people to opioid detox and into opioid use disorder treatment, and case reports describe severe, opioid-like withdrawal from the newest products (Wightman & Hu, 2025).
Signs it may be more than a habit
This isn't a diagnosis, just a gut check:
You need more, or need it more often, to get the same effect.
You feel achy, restless, irritable, anxious, or can't sleep when you skip a dose.
You use more, or for longer, than you meant to.
You've tried to cut back and couldn't.
You're watching the clock for the next serving, or you feel worse between doses.
You've moved from tea or powder to tablets, shots, or extracts.
You keep switching brands or formats hunting for the "smooth" one.
Craving, low energy, irritability, poor sleep, restless legs, and stomach upset are the withdrawal symptoms people most often describe.
If you started kratom to manage pain, anxiety, or opioid withdrawal
Many people use kratom to self-treat pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and drug cravings or withdrawal, but it hasn't been proven safe or effective for any medical purpose. National survey data link kratom use with prescription opioid misuse, suggesting some people use it to manage opioid dependence.
If there's an underlying opioid use disorder, FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine are the standard of care. Researchers writing on kratom treatment call medication first-line when kratom use occurs alongside opioid use disorder. Kratom can also be masking something else, like pain, anxiety, low mood, or sleep trouble. Treating that underlying condition is what makes stopping stick.
What does treatment look like?
Here's the honest state of the evidence. There are no randomized trials or long-term outcome studies for kratom use disorder, so clinicians rely on case reports, expert consensus, and clinical judgment. Buprenorphine is the medication used most often, with published support from small case series (Weiss & Douglas, 2021; Broyan et al., 2022). An early series suggested buprenorphine dose tracked with kratom amount, but a larger one didn't replicate that, so dosing is individualized.
For people who use kratom without an opioid use disorder, the decision is more nuanced and should weigh risks and benefits together with informed consent. Therapy and contingency management are reasonable, low-risk add-ons.
Please don't try to taper with leftover opioids or someone else's prescription. A telehealth visit lets you sort out a plan from home, covering the kratom itself as well as sleep, anxiety, pain, and mood.
Safety and reliable resources
Mixing kratom or 7-OH with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids raises the risk. If someone is very sleepy, hard to wake, or breathing slowly, call 911. Naloxone is considered for severe opioid-like breathing suppression. Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222, and 988 is available for crisis support.
For further reading:
SAMHSA National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, a free 24/7 treatment referral line
Frequently asked questions
Is kratom legal in Florida?
Kratom leaf, powder, and tea are not scheduled in Florida. Concentrated 7-OH and related compounds are Schedule I under emergency rule, and rules can change.
Is 7-OH illegal in Florida?
Yes, at concentrations above the state's limits. Florida also scheduled related compounds after manufacturers switched to new formulations.
Are 7-OH "alternatives" safer?
Not necessarily. Mitragynine-heavy and chemically altered replacements still act on opioid receptors, and concentrated products are linked to a higher risk of dependence than leaf. They haven't been studied directly, so "legal" isn't a safety guarantee.
Can kratom cause withdrawal?
Yes, for some regular users. It's usually described as mild to moderate with leaf. Concentrated products can produce withdrawal closer to that of prescription opioids.
Can I get treatment for kratom dependence by telehealth in Florida?
Yes. Inner Compass Mind Health offers whole-person psychiatric care for adults across Florida by telehealth, including medication treatment for opioid use disorder.
What should I do if I can't get my usual product?
Don't panic-buy unfamiliar products or combine substances. Reach out to a clinician before withdrawal gets ahead of you.
Ready to talk?
If kratom or 7-OH has stopped feeling like a choice, that's a treatable problem, not a character flaw. I've treated kratom dependence with buprenorphine and seen good outcomes. I'm upfront with patients that the research is still catching up, so we build the plan together. Reach out to https://InnerCompassMindHealth.com or Joni McMurchy, MSN, PMHNP-BC, for a judgment-free conversation about what's going on and what would help. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation
This article is educational and is not medical or legal advice. Laws change quickly. Last reviewed September 18, 2026.
References
Smith KE, Epstein DH, Weiss ST. Controversies in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of kratom use disorder. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2024;26(9):487–496. doi:10.1007/s11920-024-01524-1
Smith KE, Panlilio LV, Feldman JD, et al. Kratom use, effects, and motivations: a nationwide field study using ecological momentary assessment. JAMA Netw Open. 2024. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.53401 (cited as Smith et al., 2024a)
Weiss ST, Douglas HE. Treatment of kratom withdrawal and dependence with buprenorphine/naloxone: a case series and systematic literature review. J Addict Med. 2021;15(2):167–172. doi:10.1097/ADM.0000000000000721
Broyan VR, Brar JK, Allgaier T, Allgaier JT. Long-term buprenorphine treatment for kratom use disorder: a case series. Subst Abus. 2022;43(1):763–766. doi:10.1080/08897077.2021.2010250
Henningfield JE, Grundmann O, Huestis MA, Smith KE. Kratom safety and toxicology in the public health context: research needs to better inform regulation. Front Pharmacol. 2024;15:1403140. doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1403140
Vadiei N, Evoy KE, Grundmann O. The impact of diverse kratom products on use patterns, dependence, and toxicity. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2025;27(10):584–592. doi:10.1007/s11920-025-01631-7
Aly S, Grundmann O. A review of kratom product evolution and its associated health outcomes. Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2026;17:606821. doi:10.2147/SAR.S606821
Rogers JM, Weiss ST, Epstein DH, Grundmann O, Hill K, Smith KE. Kratom addiction per DSM-5 SUD criteria, and kratom physical dependence: insights from dosing amount versus frequency. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2024;260:111329. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111329 (cited as Rogers et al., 2024a)
Rogers JM, Colvin K, Epstein DH, Grundmann O, McCurdy CR, Smith KE. Growing pains with kratom: experiences discussed in subreddits contrast with satisfaction expressed in surveys. Front Pharmacol. 2024. doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1412397 (cited as Rogers et al., 2024b)
Towers EB, Thomas YT, Holstege CP, Farah R. Increases in kratom-related reports to poison centers, National Poison Data System, United States, 2015–2025. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2026;75(11):139–145.
Wightman RS, Hu D. A case of 7-OH mitragynine use requiring inpatient medically managed withdrawal. J Addict Med. 2025. doi:10.1097/ADM.0000000000001558
Drug Enforcement Administration. Temporary placement of mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in Schedule I. 91 Fed. Reg. 54948 (Aug. 26, 2026).
Drug Enforcement Administration. Notice of intent: temporary placement of 7-hydroxymitragynine above a specified threshold in Schedule I. FR Doc. 2026-13580 (July 6, 2026).
Florida Office of the Attorney General. Emergency rule news releases (Aug. 13, 2025; June 22, 2026).
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Kratom. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA and Kratom.
