HELENA - The Montana Department of Justice is warning people about the over-the-counter opioid, 7-OH.

According to the Montana Department of Justice (DOJ), 7-OH is a potent by-product of the plant kratom, which is imported from Southeast Asia and commonly used as a tea.

Now, that plant is being genetically modified.

Watch: Montana DOJ warns about over-the-counter opioids: Montana Department of Justice warns about over-the-counter opioid

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen says 7-OH is most pharmacologically similar to morphine, but it is 13 times more powerful.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services says since 2020, there have been 29 deaths involving 7-OH.

The DOJ says 7-OH can cause "respiratory depression, physical dependence, and withdrawal symptoms."

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