Florida bans deadly 7-OH chemical after hundreds of overdose deaths

Florida has introduced an emergency rule to ban the opioid-like chemical 7-OH. The substance has been tied to hundreds of overdose deaths and poison control cases in the state. Authorities are now taking strong action to curb its spread. 7-OH is sold in gas stations and vape shops under various brand names. These include Hydroxy, 7Tabz, and 7OHMZ. The chemical has been linked to at least 587 overdose deaths in Florida since 2013.

The new rule classifies 7-OH as a Schedule I substance. This allows felony-level arrests and the closure of businesses selling it illegally. It also limits the amount of 7-OH in products to 1 milligram per gram for solids or pills, or per millilitre for liquids.

Medical experts have raised alarms about the dangers of 7-OH. Melissa Golombek, Executive Vice President of the Florida Health Sciences Center, warns that the substance is addictive and potentially lethal. Dr. Cory Howard, an emergency medicine physician, confirms that overdoses involving 7-OH have risen sharply in recent years. The chemical can cause respiratory depression, addiction, and severe withdrawal symptoms.

The Food and Drug Administration has already warned consumers to avoid 7-OH. Warning letters have been sent to companies illegally distributing products containing the substance. The emergency rule aims to reduce the harm caused by 7-OH. It enables law enforcement to take action against illegal sellers. Health officials continue to urge the public to avoid the dangerous chemical.