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ATLANTA, Ga. (WALB) - Synthetic opioids disguised as gummies and candies pose deadly risks to children across Georgia, according to Georgia’s Attorney General. 7-OH is an opioid-like substance found in a wide range of products.

Georgia’s Attorney General Chris Carr says the substance is found in several products sold at gas stations and smoke shops.

Concentrated doses of 7-OH can be 13 times more potent than morphine. The substance can cause seizures, substance abuse disorder, withdrawal, overdose and even death, according to the FDA.

“We’re staring down the next wave of the opioid crisis, and we have to take action before it’s too late,” Carr said.

7-OH was labeled as a scheduled drug under the controlled substance act on June 1. 7-OH is formally known as 7-hydroxymitragynine. It is synthetically derived from kratom plants. It is not approved by the FDA for human consumption.

“These harmful and addictive drugs are sold like candy, and they’re putting children at risk. It’s unacceptable and it’s illegal, and there will be consequences for those who break our laws.”

In Georgia, a retailer convicted of selling these products can be sentenced to no less than one year and up to 15 years in prison. Additionally, they can be charged a fine of up to a $100,000.

7-OH is commonly sold as

• Tablets
• Capsules
• Shots
• Gummies
• Candies
• Liquid extracts.

It is illegal for shops to sell kratom products that are adulterated. According to Carr, products sold in Georgia must not contain the following substances:

• Synthetic Alkaloids
• 95 synthetic mitragynine
• Synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine
• Synthetically derived compounds of the kratom plant
• Food substances that are not generally recognized as safe in food products

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