We, the undersigned residents of Florida and concerned advocates, call on the state to protect our freedom of choice to use a safe and effective harm-reduction tool — 7-OH.

We urge Florida officials to oppose any ban or emergency scheduling of 7-OH, and to ensure that all future regulatory decisions are guided by science, public-health evidence, and safety — not fear or misinformation.

What is 7-OH?

• 7-OH is a natural alkaloid found in kratom.
• Up to 30% of mitragynine, kratom’s primary alkaloid, is converted into 7-OH in the body, making it a key contributor to the plant’s effects.
• 7-OH products are made by semi-synthetically isolating the alkaloid — a standard process used to extract or concentrate natural compounds in many products, without changing the compound itself.
• 7-OH is a naturally occurring compound with no difference in chemical structure between metabolized 7-OH, 7-OH in kratom, or isolated 7-OH.

Who Uses 7-OH & Why It Matters:

7-OH has been used by:

• Pain patients
• Veterans
• Individuals in recovery from substance use

Many have reported using it to manage pain or reduce reliance on riskier opioids. This ban removes a safe harm-reduction option from people who depend on it.

Lack of Evidence Behind the Ban:

• No credible evidence was presented showing that 7-OH has caused hospitalizations, deaths, or public health harm, despite repeated claims suggesting otherwise. Over 500 million doses have been taken with no reported deaths documented.
• Fear-based claims were made, including that it is “easy to overdose on” and reference to an unverified story of a death. No verified investigation or evidence — such as an autopsy confirming only 7-OH in the system — was provided.
• The press repeatedly focused on children, yet smoke shops that sell 7-OH are 18+ or usually 21+ to enter, depending on the state, so minors are legally barred from purchasing it.

Why This Ban is Harmful:

• Removes a safe alternative for adults who rely on 7-OH to manage pain or avoid relapse
• Ignores harm-reduction evidence and personal testimonies showing it reduces risk from illicit opioids
• Relies on fear-based messaging rather than science

Our Ask:

• Oppose and prevent any current or future bans or scheduling — including emergency scheduling — of 7-OH in Florida.
• Support regulation grounded in verified science and factual evidence — not fear-based claims or misinformation — with common-sense safety standards that preserve access for responsible adults and those who depend on it.
• Before imposing any bans or restrictions, require full transparency in the data used to justify them, and open a public comment period or hold hearings so Floridians, scientists, and experts can present real evidence on safe use and effective regulation.

Floridian Testimonies:

Niko

“7-OH gave me my life back — allowing me to manage chronic neck pain and carpal tunnel without the side effects of kratom or prescription medications. It lets me be fully present at home and at work.

Criminalizing 7-OH will devastate Floridians like me. Regulation to ensure safety and quality is warranted, but prohibition is not. Decisions should be based on facts, not fear — 7-OH has a strong safety record and supports thousands of responsible users in Florida. Please protect access for those who rely on it.”

Haley

“I overcame years of addiction, severe anxiety, and depression after struggling with ineffective and harmful treatment options like predatory rehabs, poorly run detox facilities, and medications that caused unbearable side effects.

7-OH, along with other kratom alkaloids, gave me a safe and effective alternative that allows me to live a stable, healthy life. It’s a vital harm-reduction option for people who can’t use traditional medications. Please don’t take this life-saving choice away from us.”

Anonymous, 23, North Florida

“I have suffered from severe back, neck, and foot problems my whole life, including a herniated disc and plantar fasciitis, causing constant pain. Traditional pain medications like morphine, Percocet, and Vicodin never helped — they made me sick and trapped me in bed.

One day I tried 7-OH. For the first time in years, I could move without agony, cook, work, and live normally. My fiancé, who struggled with severe alcohol addiction, also found relief with 7-OH — he became sober and able to think clearly again.

After a year, we finally had our lives back. Florida’s emergency ban on 7-OH now threatens everything we rebuilt. Without access, I may lose my job, suffer unbearable pain again, and my fiancé could relapse. Our lives are on hold, and we urgently need safe, regulated access.”

Optional Signer Input:

If you live in Florida, please include a short personal statement about how 7-OH has impacted your life safely. These stories help inform policymakers and strengthen the case for evidence-based regulation.

Summary:

Any attempt to ban or schedule 7-OH in Florida — whether through emergency action or new legislation — risks repeating the same mistakes: acting on unverified claims, misinformation, and incomplete evidence without public input or scientific review.

We support reasonable regulation, but it must be truthful, transparent, and based on real science and harm-reduction principles — not fear or politics — while preserving access for the Floridians who depend on it.