‘Gas station heroin’ still widely available at vape shops, despite bans
Investigative photojournalists found that despite California banning kratom and 7-OH (dubbed 'gas station heroin'), these substances remain widely available at unregulated vape shops, with clerks openly selling them despite their known risks and legal status. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration has not enforced the ban, leaving enforcement gaps even as local cities like Tustin issue prohibitions and warn businesses about compliance.
Photojournalists visited multiple vape shops in California to test the availability of kratom and 7-OH, substances banned by the state due to their addictive properties and opioid-like effects. Despite California’s prohibition, shops licensed by the Department of Tax and Fee Administration continued selling products like Hydroxie 7-Hydroxymitragynine, Truly 7 Obsidian, and Krave 7-Hydroxy, with clerks unaware of the ban or indifferent to its dangers. One shop in Tustin was the only one to refuse sales, citing local ordinances prohibiting kratom and 7-OH, though enforcement remains inconsistent across the state. The substances, marketed as 'natural remedies' for pain, anxiety, and opioid withdrawal, are highly addictive and linked to severe withdrawal symptoms that standard opioid treatments cannot address. Dr. Joe Desanto, an addiction medicine specialist, warned that 7-OH—often called 'legal morphine'—triggers rapid dependence and unpredictable reactions, including stimulant-like effects. The products are sold in various forms, including powders, liquids, and capsules, with some shops even promoting larger quantities for better value. California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has removed kratom and 7-OH from licensed stores, but vape shops, regulated by a different agency, have not been held accountable. The Orange County Board of Supervisors and other cities have passed local bans, yet enforcement gaps persist, leaving these dangerous substances accessible online and in physical stores. The investigation highlights the need for stricter oversight of unregulated retail channels to prevent further harm from these potent, addictive drugs.
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