WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal health officials backed the Drug Enforcement Administration’s move to begin temporarily placing certain kratom-related substances into Schedule I, escalating federal action against concentrated and synthetic products that regulators say pose an opioid-related public safety risk.
The DEA issued two notices of intent covering 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, above a specified threshold and three synthetic 7-OH derivatives: mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15 and MGM-16.
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration said the action is not intended to regulate natural kratom leaf that does not contain enhanced levels of 7-OH.
Although 7-OH occurs naturally in trace amounts in the kratom plant, federal officials are targeting higher-concentration products and synthetic derivatives. MP, MGM-15 and MGM-16 do not occur naturally in the plant, according to HHS and FDA.
“I commend the DEA for taking decisive action to address these addictive and harmful substances,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a statement.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health also issued a request for information seeking public comment on the proposed 7-OH threshold level, including whether additional scientific data support the proposed limit or an alternative level.
After a 30-day comment period, OASH will submit public comments to the attorney general for consideration. Under the Controlled Substances Act, the attorney general may temporarily place a substance in Schedule I for two years if necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety.
DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said the action targets “highly concentrated, synthetic 7-OH products” and would give law enforcement and public health agencies additional tools to respond.
Federal officials said MP and MGM-15 have been sold online in products including candies, tablets and liquid shots, often marketed as kratom extracts despite containing synthetic opioid compounds.
The FDA issued warning letters in July 2025 to seven companies marketing products containing 7-OH, including tablets, gummies, drink mixes and liquid shots. In December 2025, the FDA, Justice Department and U.S. Marshals Service seized about $1 million worth of unlawful 7-OH dietary supplement and food products from three Missouri firms.
HHS and FDA recommended in 2025 that DEA begin the process to schedule 7-OH above a certain threshold after a scientific and medical review.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.