Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele warned retailers across the county to stop selling concentrated 7-Hydroxymitragynine products or face felony charges.

Steele's office sent notices to retailers countywide on Sept. 16 declaring that concentrated 7-OH products qualify as designer drugs under Pennsylvania law, the Times Herald reported. The products are commonly sold in smoke shops, gas stations and convenience stores in forms including tablets, gummies, vapes and small energy-like drinks.

The countywide warning covers retailers in Whitemarsh, Plymouth and Whitpain townships, among others.

Steele wrote in the letter that retailers who continue selling concentrated 7-OH products after receiving the notice could see that evidence used against them in court. Under Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act, knowingly selling designer drugs is an ungraded felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sales proceeds may also face forfeiture.

7-OH, short for 7-Hydroxymitragynine, occurs naturally in kratom in trace amounts. Manufacturers have used a semi-synthetic process to create concentrated versions with opioid-like effects, according to the DA's office. The DA's office said scientific evidence shows the products have effects substantially similar to oxycodone and morphine, including depressed breathing, the potential for opioid use disorder and the risk of fatal overdose when combined with other central nervous system depressants.

Many of these products are marketed under brand names that allude to opioid narcotics using terms like "Opiates," "Dope" and "Perks," the DA's office said. The products carry no specific Pennsylvania regulations on potency or sales to minors.

Consumers may not realize the products can cause opioid-like dependence and withdrawal, Steele said. Overdoses can be reversed with naloxone, and treatment providers have used medication-assisted treatment for opioid use to address 7-OH addiction.

Steele had urged the Pennsylvania Department of Health in August 2026 to follow the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) lead and temporarily schedule concentrated 7-OH products. The DEA filed a notice of intent to temporarily schedule the products in July 2026, but as of Sept. 17, only derivatives of 7-OH had been scheduled federally, leaving many concentrated products unscheduled. Legislation addressing the substances has been introduced in Pennsylvania but not enacted.

On Aug. 19, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Debra Bogen issued a statewide health advisory warning that people using 7-OH products may be at risk of withdrawal symptoms and other adverse health effects.

Residents who know of local retailers still selling concentrated 7-OH products can contact the DA's tipline at 610-278-3648. Anyone seeking treatment or recovery support can call the Montgomery County Office of Drug and Alcohol at 610-278-3642 or the University of Pennsylvania's CARECONNECT Warmline at 484-278-1679.