In the past few years, over half of U.S. states have introduced legislation to regulate or criminalize kratom and/or kratom-derived products, including 7-OH. At the federal level, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended scheduling 7-OH under the Controlled Substances Act; meanwhile, President Trump has signaled interest in sanctioning kratom for medicinal use. Across the country, people who use kratom, advocates, healthcare providers, and policymakers remain divided on how to best provide education and support to reduce the potential harms of products sold as kratom and 7-OH. What’s the way forward?

In this webinar, the Drug Policy Alliance will convene leading experts to discuss the current status and the future of kratom and 7-OH: What are kratom and 7-OH? Who uses these substances and what health benefits and risks do people experience? What is the legal status of kratom products and what can we expect moving forward? For kratom and 7-OH — as well as for other “gas station,” drugs, emerging drugs, and substances of uncertain legal status — what policies do we need to keep people safe? What are the impacts of regulating, scheduling, or banning kratom, 7-OH, and other emerging drugs? How might prioritizing regulation over criminalization lead to greater oversight of manufacturing and sales, more consumer safety and education, and reduced health risks? Recording date: July 9, 2026

Moderators:
Kellen Russoniello, JD, MPH, Director of Public Health at Drug Policy Alliance
Maritza Perez Medina, JD, Director of the Office of Federal Affairs at Drug Policy Alliance

Speakers:
Shoshana V. Aronowitz, PhD, MSHP, FNP-BC, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Katherine Hill, MPH, Yale School of Public Health
Stacey McKenna, PhD, R Street Institute
Cat Packer, JD, MA, Director of Drug Markets & Legal Regulation at Drug Policy Alliance
Darshan Singh, PhD, MPA, Centre for Drug Research at Universiti Sains Malaysia

Recording Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzNob7rKKOk