DEA Moves to Ban 'Gas Station Heroin' Sold Openly in Hawaii

The Drug Enforcement Administration has filed a notice of intent to ban 7-hydroxymitragynine—commonly known as 7-OH—and two related synthetic compounds, MGM-15 and MGM-16, substances that currently sit on store shelves across Hawaii with no age restrictions or purchase limits. The federal action, announced this month, would classify these compounds as Schedule I controlled substances, placing them in the same legal category as heroin and LSD while making their sale a federal crime.

In Hawaii, the products have been available over the counter at smoke shops and convenience stores, often marketed in colorful packaging that appeals to teens and young adults. Unlike many states that have enacted age restrictions or bans, Hawaii has maintained an open market for these substances—creating a unique local context for the federal intervention.

What the DEA Proposes to Ban

The DEA's notice of intent, filed with the Federal Register on July 6, 2026, targets three distinct substances for temporary Schedule I placement. The first, 7-OH, is a psychoactive compound that occurs naturally in trace amounts in kratom leaves but has been concentrated and isolated in commercial products. The second two—MGM-15 and MGM-16—are entirely synthetic creations that do not exist in nature, manufactured through chemical processes that yield compounds significantly more potent than their botanical counterparts.

Gary Yabuta, director of Hawaii's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, emphasized the DEA's position in clear terms. "They're saying that this drug has no medicinal value and it should be prohibited point blank across the board," Yabuta told Hawaii News Now. The classification would subject manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to the full criminal penalties associated with Schedule I substances.

The potency of the synthetic derivatives has drawn particular concern from law enforcement. MGM-15 and MGM-16 represent a dramatic escalation in strength—estimates suggest these compounds may be hundreds of times more potent than morphine, placing them in the same danger category as fentanyl analogues that have driven overdose deaths nationwide.

Health Concerns Mount in Hawaii

Medical professionals in Hawaii have documented a troubling rise in health complications linked to 7-OH and related products. Dr. Christina Wang, medical director of the Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center, described the substances as carrying a high risk of addiction due to their mechanism of action.

"It is an opioid-like substance that sits on the opioid receptor in the brain—and quickly people become very addicted," Wang explained. Her organization provides treatment services to individuals struggling with substance use disorders, and staff have seen increasing numbers of patients seeking help for dependence on these compounds.

Honolulu Emergency Services Department Director James Ireland confirmed that EMS crews have responded to overdose calls involving 7-OH—a notable shift from previous years when such incidents were virtually nonexistent. "Prior to maybe this year or last year, there were zero, and so just even having a few has caught our attention," Ireland said. The Honolulu medical examiner has also recorded deaths where MGM compounds were detected in patients' systems during autopsies.

Local Enforcement Prepared to Act

Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar indicated his department would enforce any federal ban that takes effect. "If it becomes illegal, we have to act on it," Lazar stated, adding that officers would ensure the products are no longer sold "in the open at the smoke shops and at the convenience stores" where they are currently available.

The chief's comments reflect the unusual situation in Hawaii, where the lack of state-level restrictions has allowed these products to be marketed and sold with the same regulatory oversight as convenience store snacks. While some states have implemented age restrictions or prohibited certain formulations, Hawaii's market has remained largely unregulated—making the federal action particularly significant for local law enforcement.

Kratom Distinction Important for Consumers

The proposed ban specifically targets synthetic and enhanced products rather than raw kratom leaf, which remains legal at the federal level. Kratom—derived from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia—has been used traditionally for centuries and contains a complex mixture of alkaloids including mitragynine and naturally occurring trace amounts of 7-OH.

Health experts note that the synthetic versions subject to the DEA action differ qualitatively from traditional preparations. The concentrated and laboratory-created compounds deliver dramatically higher doses of psychoactive substances than could be obtained from natural leaf material, altering the risk profile in ways that parallel the historical evolution from raw opium to refined heroin.

Treatment Options Available

For individuals currently using these substances, treatment providers emphasize that help is available. Narcan—the overdose reversal medication widely distributed for opioid emergencies—can be effective in 7-OH and MGM-related overdoses because these compounds act on opioid receptors in the brain.

Dr. Wang noted that buprenorphine, a medication commonly used to treat opioid use disorder, has proven effective for individuals seeking to discontinue use of these substances. "That's been effective at helping people get off these substances very safely," she said, emphasizing the importance of finding providers experienced with buprenorphine treatment.

The Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center and other local treatment providers stand ready to assist individuals who may experience withdrawal or seek support as the regulatory landscape shifts. The temporary scheduling order, once finalized, will likely disrupt supply chains and access—potentially triggering increased demand for treatment services.

Timeline for Implementation

The DEA's notice of intent triggers a mandatory public comment period before the temporary ban can take effect. The federal government is accepting public testimony on the proposed scheduling, with comments due by July 31, 2026. Following the comment period, the DEA may finalize the temporary scheduling order, which would remain in effect for two years while the agency conducts further review.

For Hawaii residents and businesses, the timeline creates a window of transition. Retailers currently stocking these products will need to monitor the regulatory process and prepare to remove items from shelves if the ban takes effect. Consumers using these substances—whether for pain management, mood enhancement, or other purposes—face uncertainty about continued access and potential legal exposure.

National Context of Federal Action

The Hawaii situation illustrates a broader pattern of regulatory activity targeting unregulated psychoactive substances. As states have implemented varying approaches—from total bans to consumer protection frameworks to outright permissiveness—the federal government has moved to establish a uniform floor of prohibition for the most potent and dangerous formulations.

The DEA action against 7-OH and synthetic derivatives represents a middle path: targeting concentrated and laboratory-created substances while leaving traditional botanical materials in a legal gray zone. This approach attempts to address the most significant public health risks without sweeping up centuries-old traditional practices or criminalizing individuals who use raw plant materials.

Whether this regulatory strategy will prove effective remains to be seen. Critics note that prohibition has historically driven markets underground, potentially increasing risks as unregulated products replace those subject to at least minimal quality controls. Supporters counter that the extreme potency of synthetic derivatives justifies strict controls, particularly when these substances are marketed without medical oversight in formats that appeal to young people.

For Hawaii, the federal action will bring the state into alignment with stricter jurisdictions—ending the unusual situation where some of the most potent psychoactive substances available anywhere in the United States could be purchased legally at neighborhood convenience stores.