06/19/2026
Kratom is in the news: it's a plant-based powder that produces energy & alertness at lower doses, and at higher doses, sedating effects such as relaxation, pain relief, and confusion.
Kratom falls into a regulatory gray area, as it is not "scheduled" as a controlled substance, and its legality is determined state to state. In PA, it's sold widely, including at convenience stores, alongside its cousins, the "7-OH" products, or concentrated, lab-made versions of the psychoactive ingredient in kratom.
Although use of kratom and 7-OH products is on the rise, it's important to know that the VAST majority of young people do not use them. The data shown here indicates that just 1 in 385 adolescents aged 12โ17 used kratom in the past year.
However- that's a few students per school, so adolescents do need to know that kratom is potentially dangerous, as well as addictive.
LEARN MORE:
What is 7-OH? https://bit.ly/3SlWNyD
Uptick in kratom, 7-OH poison control calls: https://bit.ly/4uR4kDg
PA lawmakers propose kratom regulations: https://bit.ly/44qjmEZ
How to talk to your kids about kratom: https://bit.ly/4oD7vwT
Many thanks to Smart Approaches to Ma*****na
