Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is warning Montanans about the dangers of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a powerful opioid derivative that is being sold over the counter in gas stations, vape shops, and convenience stores across the state.
7-OH is a concentrated byproduct of the kratom plant and has been linked to a growing number of deaths. According to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, 29 deaths in the state since 2020 have involved 7-OH.
The compound’s potency is extreme: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found 7-OH to be 13 times stronger than morphine. Health officials warn that it can cause respiratory depression, physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and in severe cases, death. Its effects mirror some of the most dangerous opioids, including fentanyl, morphine, and oxycodone.
“Please educate yourself and your family about the dangers of 7-OH. The drug may look harmless at the convenience store, but it can take your life,” Attorney General Knudsen said. “As Attorney General, I will continue to do everything in my power to educate Montanans about the dangers of drugs, specifically opioids and the devastating impact they can have on Montanans and our communities.”
While naloxone, the opioid reversal drug, can be effective in treating a 7-OH overdose, Knudsen emphasized prevention and awareness as the most important tools in combating its spread.
Though often marketed as “kratom,” today’s 7-OH products bear little resemblance to natural kratom leaves, which have historically been used in small amounts to treat headaches, anxiety, and insomnia. Instead, the products commonly sold are highly concentrated and synthetically enhanced, designed to deliver a far more powerful—and dangerous—effect.
7-OH is available in multiple forms, including powders, capsules, and liquid extracts. Despite its risks, it is not currently listed as a controlled substance in Montana or under federal law. The FDA does not approve it for any use, and it cannot be lawfully included in dietary supplements or conventional foods.
By: DNU staff