Reframing the Debate: Scientific Insights Into Kratom, 7-OH, and Responsible Regulation

Regulators are scrambling to respond. But in the case of kratom and its naturally occurring metabolite, 7-OH, are we repeating the mistakes of the past? Both are under scrutiny by regulatory agencies, yet often discussed with heavy bias, advocacy, or incomplete data. This document focuses on the facts: chemical composition, pharmacology, regulatory status, and clinical risk.

To deepen this discussion with transparency and rigor, we interviewed Dr. C. Michael White, Pharm.D., FCP, FCCP, FASHP, Department Head and Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy. As a contributor to the Kratom Consumer Advisory Council (KCAC), he brings both deep pharmacological expertise and a public health–driven lens.

While Dr. White offe