Stop Gas Station Heroin Commends Kentucky for Scheduling Concentrated Synthetic 7-OH

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Governor’s action cracks down on lab-made opioids endangering communities

WASHINGTON, DC, November 5, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- The Stop Gas Station Heroin coalition today praised Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear for taking emergency action to schedule concentrated synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) as a Schedule I narcotic. The rule limits the allowable concentrations of 7-OH to 400 parts per million (0.04%) by dry weight, effectively removing concentrated synthetic 7-OH opioid products from the market while leaving natural kratom leaf unaffected. =

Governor Beshear’s move marks a critical step toward curbing the spread of " gas station heroin " — a category of often imported, lab-made street drugs that include semi-synthetic and synthetic alkaloid products, tianeptine and nitrous oxide.

While natural 7-OH occurs naturally in only trace amounts in the kratom leaf, the concentrated synthetic opioid products sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and convenience stores nationwide bear little resemblance to the kratom plant. Instead, illicit manufacturers are mass-producing highly concentrated, hyper-potent synthetic 7-OH isolates — sold as tablets and gummies — that are more than 13 times more potent than morphine.

“Kentucky’s enforcement actions send a strong message that concentrated synthetic 7-OH opioid products have no place in American communities,” said David Bregger, Executive Director of Stop Gas Station Heroin. “These synthetic drugs are misleadingly marketed as natural kratom, wellness supplements, or everyday snacks and beverages, however these lab-made opioid products function like hard narcotics — posing significant risks of addiction, respiratory suppression, and overdose.”

Kentucky’s actions follow the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recommendation in July for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to schedule concentrated synthetic 7-OH as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier also issued an emergency scheduling order in August for concentrated synthetic 7OH.

The FDA, Florida, and now Kentucky have made clear that these measures do not target the centuries-old kratom leaf, which has an established safety profile and is consumed safely by about 23 million Americans.

“Kentucky’s action is another step forward in protecting Americans from manufacturers peddling lab-made street drugs and fueling for-profit addiction,” said Bregger. “With Kentucky now joining Florida and the FDA in cracking down on concentrated synthetic 7-OH, states are uniting to stop the deceptive, dangerous practices fueling the Gas Station Heroin epidemic and harming our children.”

Stop Gas Station Heroin applauds these leaders on the state and federal levels for using their enforcement authority to hold illicit companies accountable. The coalition also urges other states to follow Kentucky’s lead and keep synthetic drugs off the market.

To learn more about Stop Gas Station Heroin and its mission, navigate to stopgasstationheroin.com.

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SOURCE: Stop Gas Station Heroin

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