Hillsborough County Commissioners voted unanimously to direct the County Attorney's Office to draft ordinance changes targeting 7-hydroxymitragynine, a potent kratom extract that federal and state officials say poses abuse risks. The move comes as a statewide emergency rule restricting the compound approaches its June 30 expiration date. Commissioner Joshua Wostal, who introduced the measure, emphasized the proposal would focus exclusively on concentrated 7-OH products and not affect traditional kratom leaf sold at kava bars, coffee shops, or other local businesses.
The concentrated extract has drawn scrutiny from regulators due to its ability to bind to opioid receptors and produce stronger effects than natural kratom. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has stated that 7-OH can be up to 13 times more powerful than morphine. The FDA has expressed particular concern about concentrated 7-OH being manufactured into fruit-flavored gummies, drink mixes, and other products potentially appealing to children, with such items sold online, in gas stations, convenience stores, and vape shops. Attorney General James Uthmeier issued the emergency rule last year, classifying isolated or concentrated 7-OH as a Schedule I controlled substance in Florida, making it illegal to sell, possess, or distribute. Wostal said he heard Uthmeier indicate plans to renew the rule at a Tiger Bay forum, but argued the county should not wait for state action to protect residents.
Florida lawmakers considered making the restriction permanent during the 2026 Legislative Session through SB 436, sponsored by Jacksonville Senator Clay Yarborough, but that language was removed before passage. This left the emergency rule as the primary statewide safeguard. Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda characterized synthetic opioids as a crisis demanding local attention, saying the county bears responsibility for preventing resident harm. Commissioner Chris Boles noted that designer drugs often do not respond to lifesaving overdose interventions like NARCAN, making it important for the county to stay ahead of emerging synthetic compounds that continue to evolve.
The commissioners' vote does not immediately establish a ban but initiates the county's process for reviewing its synthetic drug ordinance and determining whether local 7-OH restrictions are necessary. Wostal amended his motion to specifically target 7-OH sales while excluding kratom generally, clarifying he did not want to surprise local businesses during the drafting process. He expressed concern about the consequences if the state emergency rule expired without local protections in place.