What to know about 7-OH, MGPI, the synthetic kratom extracts known as 'gas station opioid'

Federal authorities and lawmakers are intensifying scrutiny over highly potent kratom extracts, raising alarms about their potential health risks despite the plant-based product’s legal status as an over-the-counter supplement in most states. The Drug Enforcement Administration has already flagged concentrated kratom derivatives as a growing concern, with plans to impose temporary restrictions on products containing elevated levels of the substance. Health officials warn that these synthetic concentrates may pose greater dangers than traditional kratom, prompting calls for stricter regulation. The move underscores deepening divisions between public safety advocates and industry supporters over how to address the substance’s risks.

Federal authorities and lawmakers are cracking down on synthetic concentrates of kratom, an herbal product sold legally over the counter in most states, as concerns rise over their risk to public health.  The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) signaled heightened concerns about kratom-derived extracts earlier this year when it announced plans to temporarily ban products containing concentrations...