Bill > S4772

Introduced Session

This bill would classify 7 hydroxymitrgynine (7-OH) as a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance. 7-OH is one of the psychoactive alkaloids naturally found in the Mitragyna speciosa plant, commonly known as Kratom. 7-OH, in higher concentrations when metabolized by the body, can produce opioid-like effects and can have similarly addictive qualities. Kratom, which contains 7-OH in lower concentrations in its natural form, is frequently marketed for its psychoactive and opioid-like analgesic effects and for use in the treatment of certain opioid addictions and withdrawal symptoms, a treatment which has not been conclusively proven. The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised that 7-OH poses a threat to public health and has the potential for abuse because of its ability to blind opioid receptors in the brain. The FDA has issued a number of warnings and conducted seizures of illegally sold, unapproved, or misbranded drug products containing potentially lethal doses of synthetic 7-OH, which contain higher concentrations of the psychoactive alkaloid. Currently, Kratom and 7-OH have not been approved by the FDA for any medical use. Further, on July 29, 2025, the FDA also recommended that 7-OH be scheduled under the federal "Controlled Substances Act," 21 U.S.C.s.812. Until the drug is scheduled under the federal act, 7-OH is not presently barred by federal law. It is also not presently barred by New Jersey law. Under this bill, 7-OH would be classified as a Schedule I drug in this State. 7-OH would be placed on the Schedule I list of the "New Jersey Controlled Dangerous Substances Act," P.L.1970, c.226 (C.24:21-1 et seq.), which would define the drug as a substance that: (1) has high potential for abuse; and (2) has no accepted medical use in treatment in the United States; or lacks accepted safety for use in treatment under medical supervision. By classifying 7-OH as a Schedule I drug, under the "Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 1987," N.J.S.2C:35-1 et seq., the drug would be considered illegal controlled dangerous substances for which manufacturing, distribution, or possession with intent to manufacture or distribute would be punishable as either: a crime of the second degree, if the act involved a quantity of one ounce or more; or a crime of the third degree, if the act involved less than one ounce. See paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:35-5. A crime of the second degree is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. However, the relevant provisions of N.J.S.2C:35-5 would permit the imposition of a fine of up to $75,000 for a crime of the third degree. Additionally, as a result of this classification, under N.J.S.A.2C:35-10, it would also be illegal to possess any amount of 7-OH, without a prescription or not directly obtained from a licensed practitioner. Possession of the drug would be punishable as a crime of the third degree, ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. However, the relevant provisions of N.J.S.2C:35-10 would permit the imposition of a fine of up to $35,000 for a crime of the third degree.

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Shirley Turner (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 10/27/2025)

Official Document