Florida has declared 7-OH, a concentrated kratom byproduct, illegal due to its high potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use. An emergency rule classifies 7-OH as a Schedule 1 drug, similar to meth and fentanyl, effective immediately.

Florida Attorney General James Uthemeir issued an emergency rule Wednesday that places 7-OH on a list of drugs, substances, or chemicals that are considered to have no accepted medical use but a high potential for abuse. Schedule 1 substances cannot be legally obtained with a prescription or readily dispensed for clinical use in the United States.

Attorney General James Uthmeier said Wednesday that his office is reclassifying concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine products as a Schedule 1 drug in an effort toremove the product from stores in Florida.