Subcommittee hears testimony for ban on synthetic 7‑OH in kratom products; bill tabled pending coordination with related measures

Delegate Williams introduced a bill to ban 7‑hydroxymitragynine (referred to in testimony as "7‑OH" or "708") and said the measure targets synthetic formulations being sold as kratom products. Former FDA deputy-office official Bob Durkin told the committee that 7‑OH is a full opioid agonist and has been linked to respiratory depression and overdose in some formulations: "7‑hydroxymitragynine is likely hurting people and killing people," he said, and testified the bill would ban the compound.

Recovery advocates, manufacturers and healthcare organizations described cases of addiction and urged a ban on synthetic adulterants while distinguishing those products from natural kratom leaf, which some witnesses said had helped individuals in recovery. John Schenholt of the McShin Foundation said synthetic products are dangerous and supported removing them from the market. Opponents and family members urged caution and recommended folding the 7‑OH language into a separate, broader bill (HB 360) to include additional safeguards such as warning labels and pharmacy involvement.

Because related legislation is pending in other committees, the subcommittee voted to lay this bill on the table by recorded vote (reported as 6 to 2) so lawmakers can consider incorporating the 7‑OH ban into a broader package that addresses warnings, placement and pharmacy safeguards.

The committee preserved the policy option while directing sponsors to coordinate across committees and pending measures.