Kratom Faces Growing Regulatory Scrutiny as U.S. Targets Potent 7-OH Products

September 23, 2026

Kratom is facing increased regulatory scrutiny in the United States as federal and state authorities take action over products containing concentrated or synthetic compounds related to the plant.

The latest developments focus particularly on 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and several manufactured compounds related to it. U.S. authorities say highly concentrated products can present risks that differ from traditional botanical kratom products.

Federal Action Targets Three Related Compounds

On August 26, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) temporarily placed three 7-hydroxymitragynine-related substances—mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15 and MGM-16—into Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act.

The temporary order is effective from August 26, 2026, through August 26, 2028. The U.S. Department of Justice said the action applies to these manufactured compounds and is aimed at products containing potent opioid-related substances.

Importantly, the Justice Department stated that the action is directed at deliberately manufactured and concentrated opioid products and does not place traditional botanical kratom itself under this particular temporary scheduling order.

What About 7-OH?

The DEA also announced in July that it intended to temporarily schedule 7-OH above a specified threshold in Schedule I. The proposal focuses on elevated concentrations rather than the trace amounts naturally found in kratom leaf.

The FDA has said the federal effort is intended to target concentrated and synthetic 7-OH products and not traditional kratom leaf containing only naturally occurring trace levels of 7-OH.

The proposed threshold described by federal agencies includes botanical material containing more than 0.050% 7-OH by dry weight, along with a separate product-unit threshold.

States Are Also Taking Action

Regulation is not limited to the federal level. California reported in September that enforcement efforts had removed 7,888 prohibited kratom and 7-OH products from store shelves after more than 8,000 compliance visits to retailers.

California authorities said the state's rules prohibit the sale of kratom and 7-OH products for consumption and have increased enforcement against products that do not comply with state law.

Meanwhile, local governments in other parts of the country are considering additional restrictions. In New York, Saratoga County is considering a complete kratom ban, while the state has also moved toward restrictions on synthetic and concentrated forms.

Why the Issue Matters

Kratom, derived from the Southeast Asian plant Mitragyna speciosa, has been sold in different forms including leaves, powders, capsules, extracts and other products.

The growing regulatory debate is increasingly centered on the difference between traditional plant material and newer products containing highly concentrated or manufactured compounds. U.S. authorities have raised concerns about opioid-like effects and potential risks associated with some of these formulations.

The regulatory landscape remains divided across jurisdictions, and rules can vary significantly by state or country. Consumers and businesses therefore need to check the laws that apply in their specific location.

Bottom line: The recent U.S. actions do not amount to a single nationwide ban on all traditional kratom products. Instead, the latest federal measures have focused on specific potent or manufactured kratom-related compounds, while some states and local governments have adopted broader restrictions.

This article is for news and informational purposes and is not medical or legal advice.

Sources: U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. FDA, U.S. DEA, California Governor's Office, Reuters.