Kratom, a plant-derived substance with opioid-like effects, faces renewed scrutiny as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seeks to ban a key ingredient known as 7-OH. MAHA’s decision to back one side in this intensifying debate underscores the conflict’s potential to shape future health policy.

Gas station sales of kratom are raising red flags among public health advocates, who fear the substance’s accessibility may lead to addiction and relapse. Although Wayne Howard had nearly nine years of sobriety, the widespread availability of kratom underscores the challenges that remain for those in recovery.