BILL NUMBER: S8925A
SPONSOR: RYAN C
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to prohibiting the
sale of 7-hydroxymitragynine products
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 clarifies the definition of "7-hydroxymitragynine products" as
any finished good that contains 7-hydroxymitragynine at a level that
exceeds 2% of total alkaloids or 1 mg per serving. This section further
states that any business entity that knowingly violates the provisions
of this section will be subject to a civil penalty of not more than five
hundred dollars for a first violation, and one thousand dollars for each
following violation. All capital gained from the civil penalties will be
deposited in the New York State Drug Treatment and Public Education
Fund.
Section 2 states that this act will take effect on the ninetieth day
after it shall become a law.
 
PURPOSE AND JUSTIFICATION:
In July of 2025, the FDA implemented warnings over the recent sale and
usage of 7 hydroxymitragynine products (7-OH) derived from Kratom, an
herbal substance originating from Southeast Asia'. 7-OH is a concen-
tration that acts as an opioid, providing effects like pain relief, mood
enhancement, and sedation. While 100% natural Kratom products contain
7-OH at levels that are less than or equal to 2% of total alkaloids,
synthetic products that can be purchased at gas stations and smoke shops
that have much higher levels of 7-0H2.
7-OH is approximately 13 times more potent than morphine, making it one
of the most powerful naturally occurring opioid-like compounds. As
such, 7-OH has been abused for its properties with side effects includ-
ing addiction, anxiety, depression, seizures, and severe withdrawal. Due
to almost no regulation and easy access for consumers, 7-OH products
have become widespread throughout New York State, increasing addiction
rates and threatening the residents of New York.
To address this issue, this legislation would ban the sale and distrib-
ution of 7-OH products. All business entities found to be knowingly
selling 7-OH products will be subject to a civil penalty of not more
than $500 for a first violation and $1,000 for each subsequent
violation. The civil penalties will be deposited into the New York State
Drug Treatment and Public Education Fund.
Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Mississippi, Vermont and Wisconsin
all have passed legislation that would ban the sale of 7-0H3. On Septem-
ber 22nd, Dr. Michael White, a department head at the University of
Connecticut School of Pharmacy and chair of the Kratom Consumer Advisory
Council, recommended that New York State take this action during an
episode of the Capitol Pressroom.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Legislation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The civil penalties will be deposited into the New York State Drug
Treatment and Public Education Fund.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it becomes law.