Florida Legislature Ends Session Without Making 7-OH Ban Permanent — Emergency Rules Expire June 30

Why it matters

Florida's emergency ban on 7-OH expires June 30 with no permanent law in place, creating legal uncertainty for a substance regulators describe as 13 times stronger than morphine.

The big picture

Florida took executive action against 7-OH last August when AG Uthmeier issued an emergency rule capping 7-OH at 0.04% concentrate. This year's session was expected to codify the restriction, but SB 432 was amended to drop 7-OH and address nitrous oxide instead. Federally, HHS recommended FDA classify 7-OH as Schedule I in 2025, but DEA rulemaking remains stalled.

Key findings

• Florida's 2026 legislative session ended March 13 without permanently banning or restricting 7-OH
• AG Uthmeier's emergency rule limiting 7-OH to 0.04% concentrate expires June 30, 2026
• SB 432 sponsor Sen. Clay Yarborough removed the 7-OH provision after House negotiations, replacing it with nitrous oxide
• FDACS issued a new 90-day emergency labeling rule for 7-OH this week as a stopgap
• 7-OH remains off shelves in Florida under active emergency rules through June
• Researchers describe 7-OH as 13 times more potent than morphine with high addiction potential

What they say

FDACS said its new labeling rule "will enable us to identify and remove a dangerous and unregulated drug from Florida shelves, which will protect Florida families, Florida children, and Florida communities," according to communications director Aaron Keller.

Bottom line

Florida is racing a June 30 clock: without emergency rule extensions or special session action, 7-OH restrictions will lapse and the substance could return to store shelves.