Rep. Jodee Etchart

Think it won't happen in Montana...since 2020, 29 people have died from Kratom concentrates in Montana.

On July 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration urged the DEA to schedule 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a powerful opioid now sold in vape shops, convenience stores, and online. This action does not target natural kratom leaf, but rather concentrated 7-OH products—often disguised as gummies, powders, or “enhanced” kratom.

Why it matters: FDA reports show 7-OH can be many times more potent than morphine. There are no approved medical uses, and 7-OH is unlawful in foods or supplements. Yet these products sit on countertops next to energy shots, marketed in bright colors to teens and people in recovery.

Montana cannot afford to wait for federal rulemaking. We should

See Full Page