Vivazen Rolls Out Safe Shelves Initiative Following DEA Scheduling of 7-OH

Vivazen, a botanical wellness brand, has launched the Safe Shelves Initiative, a program intended to help retailers and consumers distinguish legal botanical products from illegal synthetic drugs, including 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and related compounds.¹ The initiative follows the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's decision to classify 7-OH and three related substances—pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16—as Schedule I drugs², and is designed to build on that action by helping retailers remove synthetic drugs and adulterated botanicals from their shelves, the announcement explains.

Why Was the Initiative Created?

According to the announcement, the initiative is meant to serve as a resource for businesses to ensure their products are compliant and legal, while also reducing confusion for both consumers and retailers. The stated goal is to build a shared repository of information showing which products have been independently checked for 7-OH and other synthetic substances. Vivazen will also offer educational resources on identifying natural botanical products as well as tools to help retailers avoid unknowingly buy or sell products that have become illegal.

Mike Valenti, SVP of Sales at Vivazen, further explained the goal of the initiative. “As retailers move quickly to comply with DEA's 7-OH scheduling decision, many are facing questions and confusion about which products they are legally permitted to sell,” he stated. “For these retailers, many of which are small business operators, serving customers while remaining compliant is key. The Safe Shelves Initiative is designed to reduce the known harms of 7-OH by arming our industry partners with clear resources on how to navigate this transition with confidence. It will help them keep illegal synthetic drugs out of their stores while continuing to serve their customers responsibly.”

What Resources Does the Initiative Offer?

The initiative outlines three categories of resources: an expanding database of products independently tested and identified as containing illegal drugs; educational materials for consumers and retailers, including certificates of analysis for evaluating botanical product quality; and tools for retailers and law enforcement to help distinguish illegal drugs from compliant products. Vivazen also plans to expand the program through future partnerships with retail, scientific research, and public safety organizations, including universities.

What Does SafeShelves.org Provide?

The accompanying website, SafeShelves.org, describes itself as providing plain-language regulatory information for retailers, regulators, and consumers, with a product verifier tool, a compliance page for browsing submitted certificates of analysis, and FAQs on the distinction between 7-OH and natural kratom leaf.³ The site notes that the DEA's scheduling action applies to synthetic 7-OH and related compounds but does not apply to the botanical itself, and states that it is not affiliated with the DEA, FDA, or any state or federal agency.

Background: What Did the DEA's Scheduling Action Do?

On July 1, 2026, the DEA announced its intent to temporarily place 7-OH and three related substances—mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MP), dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine (MGM-15), and the 9-fluoro derivative of 7-hydroxymitragynine (MGM-16)—into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.² These compounds occur naturally in the kratom plant in small amounts but are frequently used in synthetic, high-concentration form in adulterated supplements and beverages. The proposed threshold for 7-OH is 0.050% on a dry weight basis in botanical materials, or 0.050% by weight or volume—or more than 1.00 mg—in processed extracts, concentrates, edibles, and pills made through synthetic methods.

"The DEA decisively addressed the real, tangible risks associated with 7-OH drugs, making consumers safer and the marketplace more transparent," Bryan Derr, Chief Operating Officer of Vivazen, commented on the announcement.⁴

How Did Officials and Industry Groups Respond?

DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said the action targets highly concentrated, synthetic 7-OH products that pose a public safety and health risk. Industry groups including the American Kratom Association and the Natural Products Association expressed support for the scheduling, both distinguishing chemically manipulated 7-OH from natural kratom leaf. US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also issued a statement supporting the DEA's action.

A concurrent 30-day public comment period sought input on the proposed threshold level and alternative measurement approaches.

References

1. VIVAZEN launches Safe Shelves Initiative to help protect consumers and retailers from illegal 7-OH and other synthetic drugs. Business Wire. August 5, 2026. Accessed August 18, 2026. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260805784682/en/VIVAZEN-Launches-Safe-Shelves-Initiative-to-Help-Protect-Consumers-and-Retailers-from-Illegal-7-OH-and-Other-Synthetic-Drugs
2. Krawiec S. DEA to temporarily schedule 7-OH and other compounds found in kratom. Nutritional Outlook. July 3, 2026. Accessed August 18, 2026. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/dea-to-temporarily-schedule-7-oh-and-other-compounds-found-in-kratom
3. SafeShelves.org. Accessed August 18, 2026. https://safeshelves.org/
4. Vivazen. VIVAZEN® Commends the Drug Enforcement Administration's Decision to Schedule Synthetic 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and Three Related Drugs. July 1, 2026. Accessed August 18, 2026. https://vivazen.com/blogs/articles/vivazen%C2%AE-commends-the-drug-enforcement-administrations-decision-to-schedule-synthetic-7-hydroxymitragynine-7-oh-and-three-related-drugs