Outreach worker tells Chino Hills council ‘7 0 h’ products are being sold in local smoke shops

Alex Lopez, an outreach specialist with the nonprofit ReachOut, warned the Chino Hills City Council during public comment on March 10 that products he and his organization identify as “7 0 h” are being sold locally in smoke shops and pose a serious public-health risk.

Lopez said “7 0 h is an opioid that anyone can buy without a prescription, including children as well,” and described the product as unregulated, available in flavored pills, powder, drinks, vapes and gummies, and sometimes marketed as a “natural energy and mood enhancer.” He told the council that 7 0 h has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and that research indicates it may be “13 times more potent than morphine.” Lopez said people can become addicted and can overdose and die after consuming it.

Lopez noted that, at the time of his remarks, there was no state law banning or regulating the products but that neighboring counties and some cities (including jurisdictions in Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties, and specific cities such as Murrieta, Temecula and Moreno Valley in the last month) had recently taken measures to restrict or ban these products. He offered ReachOut’s assistance and said his team would be willing to meet with council members to provide more information and education.

Mayor Jones thanked Lopez for the information and staff noted Lopez had provided handouts to the council. No formal action or motion on the issue was taken at the meeting; Lopez’s comments were recorded during the public-comment portion of the agenda.