FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) - Governor Andy Beshear announced Wednesday his administration is taking action to ban the sale of 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, a byproduct of the kratom plant.

The move comes as state leaders have made changes to drug schedules in recent months to impact drug abuse in Kentucky. In August, Beshear banned the sale and possession of designer Xanax.

His administration wants to classify 7-OH as a schedule 1 narcotic in Kentucky. Products like shots, powders and capsules that contain 7-OH can currently be sold over the counter.

Recovery coach supports ban

Josh Vanover, a recovery coach and manager of the Recovery Cafe in Lexington, said these products can be highly addictive.

“It affects your body kind of like an opiate. If you use lower doses of amounts of it, it k

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