Florida cracks down on deadly 7-OH after 587 overdose deaths

A dangerous opioid-like chemical, 7-OH, has been linked to hundreds of overdose deaths and poisonings in Florida. The substance is found in products sold in gas stations and vape shops under various brand names. Authorities are now taking urgent action to curb its spread. Dr. Cory Howard, an emergency medicine physician, has reported a rise in 7-OH exposure and overdoses across the state. The chemical has been tied to at least 587 overdose deaths in Florida since 2013. Concentrated forms of 7-OH have been marketed under brands such as Hydroxy, 7Tabz, and 7OHMZ.

The Food and Drug Administration has already warned consumers about the risks of 7-OH and issued letters to distributors. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has removed over 23,000 illegal packages from retailers. Melissa Golombek, Executive Vice President of the Florida Health Sciences Center, has witnessed the severe consequences of the drug firsthand.

In response, authorities have introduced an emergency rule classifying 7-OH as a Schedule I substance. This allows for felony-level arrests and the shutdown of illegal sellers. The rule also limits 7-OH content to 1 milligram per gram or millilitre in any product. The attorney general’s office has confirmed that hundreds of recent poison control cases are connected to 7-OH. The new regulations aim to restrict its availability and penalise those distributing it. Florida officials continue to monitor the situation closely.