'Legal morphine': 7-OH, the 'monster' drug being sold at some smoke shops

The Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) is sounding the alarm over the public health risks associated with products labeled as 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). These products, often falsely marketed as kratom leaf extracts, are synthetically produced and pose significant dangers, according to the association.

"Synthetic 7-OH is not kratom—it is a highly potent, unregulated chemical," said Professor Paula Brown of the BC Institute of Technology. "Consumers have a right to transparency, yet these products are often mislabeled and marketed deceptively as natural extracts. Without proper quality and safety testing, they carry a significant risk of causing harm."