Trump backs approval of natural 7‑OH kratom derivative
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- Trump said on Monday the federal government could move to approve specific forms of 7‑OH, an opioid derived from kratom.
- Trump emphasized the administration is “looking very seriously at natural 7‑OH and getting that approved.”
- 7‑OH (7‑hydroxymitragynine) is present in trace amounts in kratom, a plant whose extracts are increasingly used recreationally and for unapproved pain relief.
- Kratom is considered less hazardous than synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, yet it can still cause addiction and overdose.
Why it matters: Pharma firms could gain a new, federally‑approved pain‑relief option, while patients may see a legal alternative to illicit opioids; regulators, however, must balance this with the drug’s addiction risk.
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