A variety of kratom and 7-OH products — including capsules, cartridges and wellness shots — are on display at a smoke shop in Buffalo, N.Y. States have led the way in regulating kratom, and now federal officials want to ban 7-OH, a powerful compound found in some kratom products. (Credit: Amanda Hernández/Stateline)
A Doylestown recovery advocate is urging borough leaders to take a closer look at 7-OH, a potent, psychoactive compound derived from the kratom plant that is being sold in convenience stores and gas stations in brightly colored packages resembling candy.
Devin Refice, a longtime recovery professional and former director of Avenues Recovery Center, according to the Bucks County Herald, told council he has seen people relapse or develop significant daily habits because of easy access to the drug, which acts as both a stimulant and pain reliever.
He said discarded packets are turning up at local parks and that many residents, including officials, are unaware of the product’s risks.
Kratom is legal, but both the Food and Drug Administration and Drug Enforcement Administration warn that its safety, purity, and dosage are unregulated, and poison control centers have logged thousands of exposure reports.
Prevention specialists say kratom can be addictive and may worsen withdrawal symptoms for people with existing substance use disorders. Several states have banned kratom outright, and others, including Pennsylvania, are considering new regulations such as ID checks and labeling requirements, per the article.
Doylestown Borough Council President Jack O’Brien said the issue was new to council, but the solicitor will review what authority the borough may have to regulate sales.
Refice and other prevention experts believe more public awareness is needed as availability expands and misuse increases, per the article.
