HELENA — HELENA — The Montana Department of Justice is warning people about the over-the-counter opioid called 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 that involve 7-OH.

The DOJ says 7-OH can cause "respiratory depression, physical dependence, and withd

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