Beyond The Leaf: The Rise Of 7-OH And The Battle Over Gas Station Heroin
In smoke shops and convenience stores across Missouri and the United States, a new product is posing a major public health risk. Often referred to in street vernacular as “Cloud 7,” “Hydroxie,” and “Press’d,” these items contain 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), and they have been linked to concerning rates of overdose risk. Marketed as supposedly “natural” remedies for pain and energy, these potent substances have triggered a regulatory firestorm, attracting attention from public health officials who warn of addiction risks, as well as traditional kratom advocates. This is about more than retail trends; it is about a new epidemic brewing in the heart of America…