Kratom in Tampa Bay has sparked national curiosity after the FDA announced plans to regulate a powerful compound derived from the plant. But here’s the twist: the crackdown is not targeting the kratom leaf itself — a key distinction that matters deeply in Tampa Bay, dubbed by some as the kava capital of the U.S.
The Real Target: Concentrated 7-OH, Not Kratom Leaf
When FDA Commissioner Marty Makary clarified that the agency’s focus is on “concentrated synthetic byproducts” of kratom — not the plant or leaf powder — it offered a sigh of relief to local businesses. “We are not targeting the kratom leaf or ground up kratom,” he said. Instead, the spotlight is on 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, a highly potent compound often marketed in tablets, shots, and gummies.
Experts compare kratom tea to “light beer”, while concentrated 7-OH products can be as powerful as grain alcohol. The difference in potency is at the heart of this federal decision.
Tampa Bay: A Hub for Kratom and Kava Tea Bars
In Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, a quick Google search for “kava kratom bars” yields dozens of hits. These establishments are more like chill coffee houses than traditional bars — serving kratom and kava tea in communal, social settings.
Kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia, has been used for centuries to relieve pain, support opioid withdrawal, and provide natural stimulation. In these bars, drinks are brewed directly from kratom leaf powder, staying true to the plant’s traditional use.
What Experts Say About Kratom Tea
“Kratom tea is the closest form of kratom to the traditional use of kratom in Southeast Asia,” said Chris McCurdy, a professor at the University of Florida and leading researcher in medicinal chemistry. According to McCurdy, these natural brews don’t pack the concentrated punch regulators are concerned about.
Most Tampa Bay kratom bars, like Bula Kava House or Mad Hatters Ethnobotanical Tea Bar, focus on natural teas, not extracts. You can follow them on Instagram or Facebook for updates and community events.
A User’s Journey: From Pills to Kratom Tea
Cesar Calo, a former employee at local tea bar Steep Station, offers a personal perspective. Growing up in Tampa during the pill mill crisis, Calo was addicted to oxycodone by age 13. After an arrest at 23, withdrawal symptoms nearly broke him — until kratom helped him regain control of his life.
“To me, it’s no different than drinking a cup of coffee,” Calo said. “I don’t need it, but it makes my day easier.” Today, he holds a stable job, a 401(k), and sees kratom as a safer alternative to alcohol or narcotics.
The Risk of Overreach and the Need for Balance
Calo supports reasonable regulation, fearing that without it, reckless production of synthetic 7-OH could trigger an outright ban on kratom, devastating a growing industry and cutting off access for those who rely on it as a wellness aid.
“Taking too much of a good thing and turning it into something dirty,” Calo warned, is what could bring it all crashing down.
Regulatory Patchwork Across the U.S.
As of March 2025, kratom is banned in seven states (including Alabama, Arkansas, and Vermont) and regulated in 18 others. The rest — including Florida — have no control measures yet. However, Louisiana’s ban goes into effect August 1, 2025, and experts fear this could create pressure for nationwide action.
What’s Next for Kratom?
Commissioner Makary left the door open, declining to confirm whether natural kratom products might face future regulation. For now, the focus is squarely on 7-OH extracts — not the traditional leaf-based tea sold in Tampa Bay bars.
Tampa’s kava bars may be brewing more than just tea — they may be preserving a culture, a remedy, and a livelihood. But for how long?
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