Latest news with #MatthewLowe
Associated Press
18-07-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
New Study Raises Red Flags About Ingredients Found in Gas Station Heroin
Research conducted on dogs shows serious adverse effects at doses far lower than commonly sold amounts The Stop Gas Station Heroin coalition is sounding the alarm after reviewing a new animal study commissioned by CBD American Shaman, a Missouri-based company that sells '7' products in stores across the country. The study, which tested the effects of increasing doses of two lab-made substances — '7' (7-hydroxymitragynine) and 'Pseudo' (mitragynine pseudoindoxyl) — was funded to support the company's bid for FDA drug approval. But the research methods and results raise serious red flags for consumers of Gas Station Heroin. First, a clear conflict of interest occurred in conducting this study: CBD American Shaman has been illegally selling 7 products as dietary supplements since 2022, and the research was released by Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART), a group with a financial stake in 7 and Pseudo products. Second, the study suggests these drugs may be far more dangerous than their labels imply: CBD American Shaman tells consumers that 7.5 milligrams, or half a tablet, is a safe serving. But based on the study's own data, that amount may be more than 25 times higher than what would be considered safe for human consumption. Using standard FDA methods to translate the effects seen in dogs to humans, Stop Gas Station Heroin estimates that just 0.3 milligrams could cross the threshold for risk. Yet many consumers of these products are unknowingly ingesting significantly greater amounts. Moreover, the study points to clear risks of addiction and dependency with misuse. 'These are not natural products. They are chemically altered, unapproved pharmaceutical drugs being marketed as herbal remedies,' said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of Stop Gas Station Heroin. 'You can't just slap a 'dietary supplement' label on a drug and skip the safety trials.' CBD American Shaman and other purveyors of Gas Station Heroin have marketed 7 and Pseudo products as supplements formulated to cure, treat, and mitigate disease — namely, chronic pain and opioid use disorder — even though the products have never been approved by the FDA for any medical use. If companies like CBD American Shaman want to sell these substances legally, they must demonstrate the drugs' safety and effectiveness through a rigorous series of clinical trials and submit the results to the FDA as part of the New Drug Approval process. Until then, Stop Gas Station Heroin is calling for the immediate removal of these synthetic street drugs from store shelves. About Stop Gas Station Heroin Stop Gas Station Heroin is a national coalition that aims to educate consumers about harmful synthetic drugs and advocate for smart regulation that distinguishes between legitimate, natural botanicals and dangerous, synthetic drugs, combined with enforcement of current federal laws around unapproved drugs. To learn more, navigate to Media Contact Colby Wilson [email protected] ### SOURCE: Stop Gas Station Heroin Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
Associated Press
16-07-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Global Kratom Coalition Applauds FDA Crackdown on 7-Hydroxymitragynine Products
FDA action draws sharp distinction between natural kratom leaf and dangerous synthetic 7-OH products fueling the gas station heroin crisis The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) today applauded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for issuing warning letters to firms marketing '7,' a potent and dangerous novel product that is being illegally sold across the country. (See FDA press release here ). This decisive action by the FDA draws a much-needed line between responsibly used, traditionally consumed kratom leaf and the synthetic or highly concentrated products, like 7, that pose a clear threat to public health. 'The FDA's move is a critical step in protecting consumers,' said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. 'We have long warned that products like 7 are driving harm and putting lives at risk. The FDA's action sends a clear message: these dangerous products have no place in the marketplace.' While 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is a naturally occurring alkaloid in kratom leaf, it is present only in trace amounts in its natural state. The products targeted by the FDA are chemically manipulated to contain dangerously high levels of semi-synthetic 7-OH, significantly increasing the potential for harm. These products have been linked to serious adverse events and are highly addictive. The Global Kratom Coalition supports rigorous enforcement against these deceptive and harmful products and urges lawmakers and regulators to distinguish clearly between natural kratom and synthetic or adulterated substances. 'The future of kratom depends on responsible regulation,' Lowe added. 'We commend the FDA for taking action today and urge continued vigilance in order to protect consumers.' About Global Kratom Coalition The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit Media Contact Patrick George +1 916-202-1982 [email protected] ### SOURCE: Global Kratom Coalition Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Nebraska Passes Kratom Consumer Protection Act, Setting a State Standard for Kratom Regulation
LOS ANGELES, CA, May 19, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) applauds the Nebraska Legislature for the successful passage of Legislative Bill 230, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, introduced by State Senator Bob Hallstrom (District 1, Syracuse, NE). This critical legislation establishes common-sense regulations that enhances consumer safety and promotes the responsible manufacturing, marketing, and sale of kratom products in Nebraska. GKC has been actively engaged with Nebraska lawmakers since early 2024, advocating for evidence-based standards that preserve access to natural kratom while shielding the public from dangerous synthetic products that falsely claim to be kratom. LB 230 includes robust protections for consumers, such as prohibiting the marketing of kratom products to children, banning sales to individuals under 21 years old, and requiring product labeling that discourages use by pregnant or breastfeeding women. 'The Nebraska legislature should be commended for leading the way in creating common sense regulations for kratom, keeping it safe and accessible for consumers,' said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. 'Nebraska lawmakers have created a model for other states to pursue by including provisions in the legislation with some real teeth.' One of the most impactful provisions of the bill restricts the level of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH) in kratom products to no more than 2% of the total alkaloid composition. This critical safeguard eliminates the threat posed by highly concentrated 7OH synthetic products — commonly referred to as '7'— which have been proliferating across the country. Unlike natural-leaf kratom, these synthetically altered products contain eight unknown compounds and levels of 7OH up to 100 times higher than naturally occurring kratom. These untested products lack scientific backing for claims of treating chronic pain and opioid use disorder. Despite mounting scientific consensus and public health concern, groups like the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) have actively sought to undermine the bill or strip out key consumer protections. HART continues to promote synthetic '7' products without offering credible data, directly contradicting the views of leading U.S. kratom researchers who assert that '7' products should not be considered kratom. During a press event in October 2024, HART panelists advocated for regulating 7OH products as though they were natural kratom, making unapproved drug claims without FDA authorization. 'When organizations like HART are advocating for products that are unapproved drugs that have not gone through the FDA approval process,' said Lowe. 'Without FDA approval, selling those products is unlawful and puts consumers at risk.' Since the introduction of LB 230 on January 14, 2025, GKC has worked closely with stakeholders to ensure the legislation balances access to safe, natural kratom with strong protections against dangerous synthetic alternatives. 'Our goal has always been to support legislation that empowers consumers to make informed choices and preserves access to responsibly manufactured kratom products,' said Lowe. 'With the passage of Nebraska's Kratom Consumer Protection Act, we've made a significant leap toward that vision.' The Global Kratom Coalition thanks the Nebraska Legislature for standing up for consumer safety and urges other states to follow Nebraska's lead by adopting meaningful, science-based kratom regulation. About Global Kratom Coalition The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit Media Contact Patrick George +1 916-202-1982 [email protected] ### SOURCE: Global Kratom Coalition Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
Associated Press
13-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Global Kratom Coalition Supports Nebraska's Kratom Consumer Protection Act (LB 230)
GKC celebrates the closing of loopholes to protect consumers from dangerous 7-hydroxymitragynine products mislabeled as kratom LOS ANGELES, CA, March 12, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) has been working with the Nebraska legislature since early 2024 in support of Nebraska's Legislative Bill 230, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, introduced by State Senator Bob Hallstrom (District 1, Lincoln-NE). This proposed legislation aims to establish common-sense regulations that will enhance consumer safety and promote responsible manufacturing, marketing, and sale of kratom products in Nebraska. Among the bill's key provisions are measures designed to protect consumers, including prohibiting the marketing of kratom products designed to appeal to children, prohibiting the sale of kratom products to individuals under 21 years of age, and requiring product labeling that discourages use by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. One of the most important regulations in LB 230 ensures that any level of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH) does not exceed 2% of the overall alkaloid composition of the product. This safeguard effectively eliminates the risk associated with synthesized high-potency isolate 7OH products (known as '7') that are proliferating across the state. Unlike natural-leaf kratom products, synthesized products like '7' contain eight unknown compounds and 100 times more 7OH than true kratom products. These new, untested products have no scientific data to support their use. They are being marketed as a cure for the opioid crisis when in fact they are fueling their own addiction and health crises through their unfettered access across the nation. Organizations such as the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) are attempting to either kill kratom regulations bills or strike out core consumer safety provisions that protect consumers from these dangerous synthetic products. They have no data to support their position and contradict opinions expressed by the leading kratom scientists in the US who say '7" products should not be considered kratom. Proponents of '7" are not making factual or credible claims about the safety and efficacy of these products. HART's aim to promote '7" products comes at the risk of consumers. During a press event held by HART in October 2024, panel members advocated for the regulation of 7OH products as if they were natural kratom, making unapproved new drug claims. 'When organizations like HART make unapproved claims that 7OH products are intended for pain relief or opioid use disorder, they are promoting these products as drugs as defined by the FDA,' said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. 'Without prior FDA approval, such products are unlawful to sell.' The Global Kratom Coalition has been actively involved in encouraging the development of LB 230 since its introduction on January 14, 2025, working alongside stakeholders to ensure that consumers have access to safe, natural kratom products and are protected from dangerous synthesized alternatives. 'Our goal is to support legislation that empowers consumers to make informed decisions while maintaining continued access to responsibly manufactured kratom products,' Lowe added. 'Nebraska's Kratom Consumer Protection Act is a significant step forward in achieving those goals.' The Global Kratom Coalition urges lawmakers and stakeholders to support LB 230 and reject any attempts to weaken the bill's vital protections for consumers. About the Global Kratom Coalition The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit Patrick George
Associated Press
09-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Global Kratom Coalition Applauds Utah Legislature's Decision to Suspend HB 509; Encourages UDAF's Drive To Stringently Enforce Current Kratom Regulations
LOS ANGELES, CA, March 8, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) commends the Utah Legislature for its decision to allow House Bill 509 (HB 509) to expire without moving to a floor vote, thereby avoiding onerous and vague pre-market approval requirements on a segment of kratom products in Utah. While the bill authors should be commended for their desire to strengthen Utah's kratom regulations, HB 509 proposed pre-market approval requirements that go far beyond Federal regulations. This action would have impeded consumer access to demonstrably safe products and created a costly and overreaching bureaucracy. 'We appreciate the desire for the bill's sponsors to address safety concerns. However, suspending HB 509 represents a positive outcome for Utah consumers and the dietary supplement industry at large,' said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. 'Enacting pre-market approval measures would have been contrary to federal law, specifically the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994, marking an unprecedented regulatory paradigm.' With the failure of HB 509, the GKC is encouraged by the Utah Department of Agriculture's (UDAF) push to strengthen enforcement of the existing Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) through ensuring that all kratom products sold in the state are registered with UDAF and highly potent synthetic products like '7' are not sold in the state. This legislation, already in place, provides a framework for ensuring the safety and quality of kratom products. By enhancing enforcement efforts, UDAF can effectively weed out bad actors while supporting responsible businesses that comply with state regulations. Funding for enforcement remains an issue in Utah. A recent survey showed that 64 percent of the kratom products sold in Utah are not registered with UDAF. Strong compliance through enforcement will ensure that all compliant kratom companies are properly registered with the state and will therefore pay their requisite registration fees which will in turn help better fund the program. Beyond this, the GKC fully supports the implementation of a tax on kratom products that would give the necessary funding to UDAF to help them better regulate the kratom marketplace. The GKC will continue to work with the legislature to consider a tax in coming legislative sessions. 'The marketplace in Utah will be made safer through enforcement of existing laws, which serve to protect consumers from harmful products like those containing elevated levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine,' said Lowe. 'By focusing on strict adherence to the KCPA and requiring product registration, along with comprehensive labeling and safety standards, Utah can maintain a safe and regulated kratom marketplace that meets the needs of consumers.' The Global Kratom Coalition remains committed to working collaboratively with legislators and stakeholders to promote sensible regulation that ensures public health and safety while preserving access to kratom for those who rely on it. About the Global Kratom Coalition The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit SOURCE: Global Kratom Coalition
