U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin is applauding federal action to curb the spread of 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, a concentrated byproduct of the kratom plant that is often marketed in vape shops and gas stations despite its opioid effects.
On Tuesday, Mullin joined Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary to announce a major move to restrict 7-OH under the Controlled Substances Act.
“We all get involved in issues because of passion or personal experience,” Mullin said. “And for us, it’s personal. We have family members we love who have struggled with addiction. These products are legal, but they’re leading people back down a path of destruction.”
In an emotional statement, Mullin described how his family’s experience with addiction has meant sleepless nights, frantic phone calls, and countless trips to rehab, only to see loved ones relapse using legal substances that mimic opioid effects but escape detection on drug tests.
“It’s an addiction that’s truly killing people,” he said. “You see it in their face. You see it in their eyes. You’re helpless. And you know where the road is headed.”
The FDA’s action targets 7-OH specifically, not the kratom plant itself. The substance binds to opioid receptors and may be more potent than morphine. Officials warned that 7-OH is being sold in forms appealing to young people, including fruit-flavored gummies and ice cream cones, often under misleading labels.
Kennedy, who framed the announcement as part of his “Make America Healthy Again” mission, said the decision was driven by science and a personal commitment to fighting addiction.
“This has been around for years,” Mullin said. “But without your leadership, this would never happen. So, from my family and every single family that has dealt with this, God bless you and thank you.”
You can watch Mullin’s remarks in the video below.
