7-OH Legal StatusUpdated
Texas
Regulated · Regulated under the Kratom Consumer Protection Act
- Effective
- 2025-09-01
- Classification
- Civil penalty
- Age limit
- 21+
- 7-OH cap
- 2% of alkaloids
Texas permits 7-hydroxymitragynine products under specific conditions — typically including age limits, labeling requirements, and caps on 7-OH concentration in total alkaloids.
Summary
Regulated under a 2% 7-OH cap. AG Paxton sued a Midlothian retailer in February 2026 for products testing at up to 96% 7-OH.
Detailed status
Texas prohibits the sale of products where 7-hydroxymitragynine exceeds 2% of total alkaloid content. SB 1868 strengthening enforcement took effect September 1, 2025. In February 2026, AG Ken Paxton sued Smokey's Paradise after lab testing found products containing 86-96% 7-OH — nearly 50 times the legal limit. DSHS has issued public health alerts.
Timeline
How 7-OH law and enforcement has evolved in Texas.
2026
3 events- CourtTexas Attorney General
AG Paxton Sues Kratom Retailers for Deceptively Marketing Products with Nearly 50x Legal Limit
Texas AG Ken Paxton sued Midlothian-based Smokey's Paradise after lab testing found products containing 86%-96% 7-hydroxymitragynine, versus the 2% statutory cap; suit seeks civil penalties under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
- CourtFox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth
Texas sues Smokey's Paradise over illegal kratom potency limits
Local TV coverage of Paxton's lawsuit against Smokey's Paradise, reporting products sold with up to 96% 7-OH, nearly 50 times the legal limit.
- NewsKXAN NBC Austin
Texas smoke shops accused of selling kratom with 49 times legal limit of synthetic additives
Austin NBC affiliate reports on the Paxton lawsuit and the broader initiative against Texas smoke shops selling products exceeding the 2% 7-OH cap.
2025
2 events- NewsThe Texas Tribune
Kratom poisoning calls climb in Texas as the state fails to enforce ban on synthetic version
Investigation documenting rising Texas poison-control calls involving kratom and 7-OH and noting weak enforcement of the existing 2% 7-OH cap before SB 1868 took effect September 1, 2025.
- NewsTexas Department of State Health Services
Serious Illnesses Associated with 7-OH Use
Official DSHS alert warning Texas health providers and the public about serious illnesses linked to 7-OH products, coinciding with the FDA's July 2025 scheduling announcement.
Frequently asked
Direct answers about 7-hydroxymitragynine in Texas.
- Is 7-hydroxymitragynine legal in Texas?
- Texas permits 7-hydroxymitragynine products under specific conditions — typically including age limits, labeling requirements, and caps on 7-OH concentration in total alkaloids.
- Can I buy 7-OH online and have it shipped to Texas?
- Shipping to Texas is generally permitted for products that comply with state regulations, including age-verification and potency limits. Retailers selling non-compliant products into Texas may be in violation of state law regardless of where the sale originates.
- Is kratom the same as 7-hydroxymitragynine in Texas?
- Not exactly. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is the plant; 7-hydroxymitragynine is one of its active alkaloids, which can also be concentrated or semi-synthesized to much higher potencies than occur naturally. Texas's laws may treat the natural leaf, its alkaloids, and concentrated/synthetic 7-OH differently — see the Legal at a Glance panel above for the specifics that apply here.
- What is the minimum age to buy 7-OH in Texas?
- 21. Retailers in Texas are required to verify age before sale. Sales to anyone under 21 can result in licensing consequences for the seller.
- Is there a 7-OH potency limit in Texas?
- Yes. Texas caps 7-hydroxymitragynine content at 7-OH may not exceed 2% of total alkaloid content. Products above that threshold are non-compliant and cannot legally be sold in the state. Independent lab audits have repeatedly found 7-OH products on retail shelves that exceed state caps, so lab-certificate verification matters.
- What happens if I already bought 7-OH and Texas's law changes?
- Laws typically distinguish between sale (prohibited for retailers immediately) and personal possession (often given a grace period, though not always). When Texas has changed status in the past, state agencies have usually issued guidance to consumers and retailers. Check the most recent state guidance linked in the Sources section before assuming an existing purchase remains legal.
- When was this page last verified?
- This page was last reviewed on 2026-04-01. Because kratom and 7-OH law changes quickly, we re-verify active-legislation states at least quarterly and update the page when new bills, court rulings, or enforcement actions are reported. This is not legal advice — verify the current statute or consult an attorney in Texas before relying on it.
Related reading
06 links
- 01Legal status in all 50 statesFull tracker with distribution snapshot
- 02What is 7-hydroxymitragynine?Pharmacology, market, and regulatory background
- 037-OH vs kratom leafWhy the legal line is drawn between them
- 047-OH brand reviewsLab testing, product range, reputation
- 05Submit a correctionReport an outdated or incorrect entry for Texas
- 06How this tracker is maintainedSourcing, review cadence, and verification process