Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is urging convenience stores across the state to immediately remove dangerous kratom products from their shelves, warning that the substances pose a serious threat to public health, particularly among children and teenagers.
Carr issued the call during a meeting of the Georgia House of Representatives Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Youth Exposure to Kratom and Retail Available Substances, where he also pushed for stronger state regulations.
“It shouldn’t take legislation or law enforcement to do the right thing,” Carr said. “Every minute these products remain on our shelves, innocent lives are put at risk. This problem could be solved today if all of our convenience stores step up, remove this poison from their shelves, and put safety first.”
The attorney general is calling for new legislation that would ban kratom-derived products throughout Georgia, with limited exceptions for specifically approved items.
Of particular concern is 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly known as 7-OH, an opioid-like substance associated with kratom. Carr warned that the substance is highly addictive and cited claims that it is approximately 13 times more potent than morphine.
According to Carr, manufacturers are producing concentrated and synthetic forms of 7-OH in products such as tablets, gummies, liquid shots and powders. Many of these products are marketed as kratom and sold at convenience stores, gas stations and smoke shops across Georgia.
Carr expressed particular concern about products that may appeal to younger consumers because of their packaging, flavors and accessibility.
The attorney general’s proposal would go beyond asking retailers to voluntarily remove the products. He wants state lawmakers to establish a broader prohibition on kratom-derived substances while allowing a narrow list of approved exceptions.
The issue has drawn increasing attention from state lawmakers as they examine the availability of kratom and other potentially dangerous substances sold through retail outlets.
Carr emphasized that retailers do not need to wait for additional legislation to take action, arguing that removing the products immediately could help prevent addiction, overdoses and other serious health consequences.
The Georgia House study committee is examining youth exposure to kratom and other retail-available substances as lawmakers consider potential changes to state law.
For now, Carr is urging businesses across Georgia to take voluntary action and prioritize public safety by removing the products from their shelves.