Trump Administration Moves to Ban a Rival to Kratom, Helping Its Allies

The Drug Enforcement Administration, known as the D.E.A., announced plans this week to temporarily ban a powerful drug called 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH. This substance is a man-made version of kratom, a plant used in supplements that some people take for energy or pain relief. The ban would place 7-OH in the same category as heroin and LSD — drugs that are illegal to buy or sell in the United States. The decision is seen as a big win for companies that sell natural kratom products, many of which have strong connections to the Trump administration.

Kratom comes from the leaves of a tree found in Southeast Asia. People use it in drinks, pills, and powders. In recent years, a stronger, lab-made version called 7-OH became popular because it works faster and is more powerful. Makers of natural kratom products say 7-OH is dangerous and have tried to get the government to ban it. But health experts warn that natural kratom also carries serious risks, including addiction, overdose, and liver damage.

One key figure in the push to ban 7-OH is Jerry W. Ross, who founded a company called Botanic Tonics. His company makes a kratom drink called Feel Free. Mr. Ross has spent large amounts of money on lobbyists — people paid to influence government decisions — and donated money to political groups tied to the Trump administration. Records show he gave nearly $162,000 to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s old presidential campaign and $1 million to a group connected to Mr. Kennedy.

Mr. Ross also secured a private meeting with Vice President JD Vance in February, joined by a lobbyist named Ches McDowell, who has close ties to President Trump's family. At the meeting, Mr. Ross urged the administration and the D.E.A. to crack down on 7-OH. Before the meeting, Mr. Ross had donated a total of $443,000 to the Republican National Committee. Critics say large donations like these can give companies too much power over government decisions.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has also been a key supporter of the kratom industry. He pushed for government websites to remove warnings about kratom's dangers, including risks like seizures and death. Importantly, Mr. Mullin listed an investment of up to $1 million in Botanic Tonics, Mr. Ross's company. Critics say this is a conflict of interest, meaning he could personally benefit from the very decisions he helps shape.

Both Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Mullin praised the D.E.A.'s announcement. Mr. Kennedy said he commended the agency for taking 'decisive action.' The Department of Homeland Security called 7-OH 'a synthetic drug marketed to kids at convenience stores via deceptive packaging.' Officials were careful to say the new rules are not meant to affect natural kratom leaf products.

Not everyone agrees with the decision. Kevin Sabet, who worked on drug policy under both Republican and Democratic presidents, warned that banning only 7-OH while leaving natural kratom alone does not go far enough. He said both substances can be deadly. He argued the move mainly rewards kratom companies that paid for political influence, rather than truly protecting the public.

Enforcing the ban could be very difficult. The D.E.A. plans to target only products that contain at least half a percent of 7-OH by dry weight. Police officers do not have easy field tests to check whether a pill or powder meets that standard. Making things harder, they would also need to tell 7-OH products apart from natural kratom products, which naturally contain tiny amounts of 7-OH.

Some parents of children who died after taking kratom have lobbied for bans on both substances. Daniel Gibbs lost his son Austin, who died at age 25 in 2023 from a lethal level of kratom's active compound. Mr. Gibbs said the partial ban is not enough and that testing and enforcement will be nearly impossible. 'It's a joke,' he said. 'No one is going to be able to test for this. No one is going to be able to enforce this.'