Florida cracks down on deadly 7-OH chemical in emergency move

Florida has taken urgent action against the opioid-like chemical 7-OH. The state has removed over 23,000 illegal packages from retailers since a new emergency rule came into force. The substance is now classified as a Schedule I drug, allowing felony-level arrests and shutdowns of illegal sellers. 7-OH is found in products sold at gas stations and vape shops. Concentrated versions have been marketed under brands like Hydroxy, 7Tabz, and 7OHMZ. The chemical acts on opioid receptors and can cause respiratory depression, addiction, and severe withdrawal symptoms.

The emergency rule restricts 7-OH content to 1 milligram per gram or millilitre in products. The FDA has warned consumers about the risks and sent warning letters to distributors. Dr. Cory Howard, an emergency medicine physician, has reported a rise in 7-OH exposure and overdose cases.

Since 2013, the substance has been linked to at least 587 overdose deaths in Florida. Melissa Golombek, Executive Vice President of the Florida Health Sciences Center, has witnessed the harmful consequences firsthand. The new rule classifies 7-OH as a controlled substance. It enables authorities to take stronger legal action against sellers. The measure aims to reduce overdoses and remove dangerous products from circulation.