COMMUNITY
Act rests primarily with ADHS, with potential involvement from the Attorney General’s Office. Maricopa Police Department acknowledges it has not conducted any targeted enforcement because it hasn’t been asked to. “We stand ready to assist if formally tasked by state authorities or if a direct public safety threat emerges,” said police spokesperson Monica Williams. Until then, the law remains largely unenforced at the street level. When reporters reached Brian Chung, owner of Vape Etc., he sounded weary. “I don’t make 7-OH,” he said flatly. “I don’t make it in my kitchen or put it in the store. That’s important to know. My distributor pushes the stuff in. Every week a new rep comes and stocks us up.” Just a few months ago, it was hard to keep stocked, said Chung. He said he gave it only a small shelf, “not like other products that take up space.” But in a small shop, it’s hard to argue with the demand. “They tell me, ‘You should sell our product. This could be profitable,’” Chung said. “No one ever explained the state laws to me.” Two other local vape shops, Cloud Slingers and The Smokers Edge, both sell the same 7-OH. Owners of those stores did not respond to requests for comment. According to the CDC’s State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System, kratom has been detected in thousands of overdose deaths nationwide, with 2,343 fatalities between 2020 and 2022 in which the drug was listed as either the sole or a contributing factor. ADHS reported mitragynine, the primary alkaloid in kratom, was detected in 19 fatal overdose cases in 2023, the most recent data released. Many of these This summer, federal regulators finally moved. On July 29, the FDA recommended scheduling concentrated synthetic 7-OH as a controlled substance, explicitly drawing a line between kratom leaf and the derivative that scientists say is up to 13 times stronger than morphine. Days later, Florida’s attorney general followed with an emergency ban, tightening loopholes almost as fast as the industry could find them. The action was hailed as decisive. “We saw it with spice. We saw it with synthetic tea,” said Global Kratom Coalition Executive Director Matthew Lowe during an online panel with experts in August. “Without clear scheduling, these markets never clean themselves up. With it, real enforcement, real education, it can.” deaths involved other substances. A national fight over 7-OH
NON-FATAL OPIOID OVERDOSES
8 8
5 6
4 6 4 3
4 5*
4 0
3 7*
3 2
3 0
2 8
1 9
1 9
1 8*
Kratom pills purchased at a Maricopa vape shop.
1 6
1 3 1 3
1 1
7
2 020 2 021 2 022 2 023 2 024 2 025
2 020 2 021 2 022 2 023 2 024 2 025 2 020 2 021 2 022 2 023 2 024 2 025
MARICOPA
CASA GRANDE
FLORENCE
*Through Aug. 31
Now open in Maricopa is El Rancho Santa Rosa , a new Centex community with the perfect balance of location and affordability. Choose from eight one- and two-story home designs ranging from 1,353 to 2,389 sq. ft. that come standard with quality features built- in to help you save money. Plus, you’ll enjoy a simple home buying process with expert advice every step of the way, a 10-year limited structural warranty for peace of mind, prices that make monthly payments within reach, and an abundance of nearby amenities. All this starting from the low $300Ks . So stop dreaming about a new home and start owning one. Plus, for a limited time only, take advantage of special financing offers and big savings on a wide selection of quick move-in homes available now. NOW’S THE TIME TO LEAVE RENT BEHIND.
Source: azdhs.gov
OFFERING SINGLE LEVEL HOMES & TOWNHOMES
APARTMENT AMENITIES
COMMUNITY AMENITIES
• Swimming Pool • Grilling Stations • Community Room • EV Chargers • Dog Park • Mail Room • Carports
• Washer/Dryer • 1 Gig Wi-Fi Ready Unit* • Stainless Steel Appliances • Quartz Counter tops *Fee applies
• On-Site Management • 24/7 Fitness Center
• Yoga Room • Playground
Limited-Time Move-In Offer
Affordable Living, Thoughtfully Designed
EL RANCHO SANTA ROSA New Homes From the Low $300Ks Sonoran Desert Pkwy, Just East of Maricopa Rd
Lease by December 31st and receive 2 Months Free Rent 6 Months Free WiFi + In-Home Washer/ Dryer (a $660 value, included at no cost) Terms and conditions may apply. Please contact our leasing office for full details.
Centex.com/ElRancho
Financing available through Pulte Mortgage LLC. All Loans are subject to underwriting and loan qualifications of the lender. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. Pulte Mortgage LLC is an Equal Opportunity Lender. NMLS Entity Identifier #1791. Additional licensing information available at: https://secure.pultemortgage.com/Information/ContactUs.aspx or www. nmlsconsumeraccess.org. AZ – License #: BKBR - 0105420, BK – 0905246. Quick move-in homes are subject to prior sale or withdrawal from market, and price is subject to change at any time without notice. Builder does not represent or warrant the date of actual completion of a home. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be an actual representation of a specific home being offered and depict a model containing features or designs that may not be available on all homes or that may be available for an additional cost. For further information, see our terms of use. This is not an offering to residents of NY, NJ, CA or CT or where otherwise prohibited by law. ©2025 PulteGroup, Inc. PGI Realty, brokerage for Pulte Home Corporation, 8605 E Raintree Drive, Suite 300, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required or if void by law. Centex ® is a registered trademarks of PulteGroup, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. July 2025
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InMaricopa.com | October 2025
October 2025 | InMaricopa.com
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