A decade ago, kratom advocates triumphed over a DEA ban, turning the obscure Southeast Asian plant into a billion-dollar industry. Now, those same activists are calling for a ban on 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), an ultra-potent extract with opioid-like effects, causing friction within the kratom community.

Mac Haddow of the American Kratom Association argues that 7-OH is a 'full-blown opioid' masquerading as kratom. However, proponents claim it’s part and parcel of kratom, despite its fleeting presence in the plant. The proliferation of 7-OH products like Magic 7OH has raised alarm over withdrawal symptoms and polydrug overdoses.

As the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary and President Trump weigh in, tensions run high between pro-kratom and anti-7-OH factions. Meanwhile, a dozen states have banned 7-OH independently of federal action, while seven also prohibit kratom. The debate over natural versus chemically manipulated compounds looms large.

Many consumers use kratom as an opioid alternative to escape fentanyl addiction. For others, it’s a mild buzz in tiki bars or seltzers like Feel Free, where withdrawals have left some users seeking help online. As the divide widens, the future of both kratom and 7-OH hangs in the balance.