The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended scheduling the opioid compound 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) as a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act due to its potent opioid properties. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary highlighted the presence of 7-OH products in vape shops, drinks, and children's gummies, raising public health concerns. The FDA's action targets synthetic concentrated 7-OH products, often derived from kratom, but does not currently extend to natural kratom leaf products. This move is part of a broader federal crackdown on dangerous opioid substances amid rising addiction risks. Advocates, including Senator Mullin and public health officials, emphasize the urgency of addressing the threat posed by 7-OH, which is reported to be 13 times stronger than morphine and marketed in forms appealing to children, such as brightly colored, candy-flavored gummies. The FDA and other authorities are focusing on protecting youth and combating the opioid crisis driven by these synthetic compounds, which have been linked to increasing fatalities, potentially surpassing those caused by fentanyl.