Sheriff Waters, Florida Attorney General and Agriculture Commissioner Discuss Statewide Crackdown on Kratom
On Thursday, September 18, 2025, Sheriff T.K. Waters, Attorney General James Uthmeier, and Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Commissioner Wilton Simpson discussed the results of a statewide crackdown on kratom.
Last month, the Attorney General issued an emergency rule outlawing the sale of products made with kratom. Kratom is a plant with the chemical compound 7-OH. Companies have been creating "wellness products" like extracts, shots, powders, or capsules with concentrated amounts of 7-OH. These products are often sold at gas stations, smoke shops, and convenience stores. Some products are marketed directly to young consumers.
To be clear: 7-OH is dangerous. It can lead to addiction, overdose, and serious health concerns, especially in kids, teens, and young adults. The Florida Department of Health reported an increase in emergency room visits and adverse health incidents linked to kratom, particularly among young people.
Florida law now puts 7-OH products in the same category as heroin, LSD, and synthetic fentanyl. These are drugs with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to have conversations with their children about the dangers of kratom.
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