Citing an "immediate danger to the public health, safety and welfare," Attorney General James Uthmeier on Wednesday issued an emergency rule banning a "highly addictive" compound known as 7-OH, a concentrated byproduct of kratom that is sold in smoke shops throughout the state.

The rule prohibiting "7-hydroxymitragynine," an alkaloid known as 7-OH, went into effect immediately.

7-OH is highly addictive

The compound — available in such products as drinks, gummies and powders — has skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years. Doctors say 7-OH acts on the same parts of the brain and is as addictive as opioids.

"It is a significant painkiller. It has been proven to be highly addictive and easily can be overdosed, so it's very dangerous," Uthmeier said at a news conference at Tamp

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