States Close Kratom Loophole by Targeting Its Most Potent Chemical

California, Missouri, and Iowa are now banning a specific compound in kratom: 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH. This alkaloid is far more powerful at opioid receptors than kratom's main ingredient, mitragynine. Earlier bans on kratom itself left room for workarounds—sellers reformulated products to pack more 7-OH while staying technically legal. These new state rules eliminate that gap.