The country's got kratom on the brain. What is it exactly?
Episode description
The Trump administration is trying to restrict access to a substance you might find at your local smoke shop.
The FDA in late July announced plans to crack down on 7-OH. Commissioner Marty Makary described it as an opioid that can be more potent than morphine and the agency's pushing to get it classified as a Schedule 1 substance -- like ecstasy or heroin.
You may not have heard of 7-OH, but you’ve probably heard of kratom. It’s the substance that 7-OH comes from – and it’s controversial in its own right.
Some states have banned kratom. The federal government tried to classify it as a Schedule 1 substance in 2016 but opted not to after getting a wave of pushback.
This year Washington state regulators withdrew a proposal to designate kratom as a Schedule 1 substance, saying it didn’t meet the criteria. So for now, you can buy kratom products in the state.
We wanted to know more about both kratom and 7-OH, so we checked in with a research professor at the University of Washington for insight.
Guest:
- Caleb Banta-Green, research professor at the University of Washington and director of the Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research.
Related stories:
- FDA recommends concentrated Kratom be scheduled as illicit substance | The Hill
- What to know about changes to kratom sold in Seattle | Axios Seattle
- Kratom & 7-OH: What do we know about use, safety, and overdose risk? | Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (University of Washington)
- What is 7-OH? Opioid-like product may get banned by FDA | USA TODAY
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.