DEA 7-OH Scheduling 2026: Status, Thresholds & Dates
Federal checkpoint: August 26, 2026.
DEA has temporarily placed mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI), MGM-15, and MGM-16 in Schedule I. That order took effect on August 26, 2026 and is scheduled to remain in effect through August 26, 2028 unless extended or made permanent.
The separate federal process for 7-hydroxymitragynine above a proposed threshold remains at the notice and information-gathering stage. HHS extended comments about the threshold through September 10, 2026. A notice, a request for information, and a temporary scheduling order are different documents with different legal effects.
Current federal status
| Identity | Status | Controlling point |
|---|---|---|
| MGPI | Temporarily Schedule I | Effective August 26, 2026 through August 26, 2028, unless extended or made permanent |
| MGM-15 | Temporarily Schedule I | Effective August 26, 2026 through August 26, 2028, unless extended or made permanent |
| MGM-16 | Temporarily Schedule I | Effective August 26, 2026 through August 26, 2028, unless extended or made permanent |
| 7-OH above the proposed threshold | DEA notice of intent; no temporary order identified at this checkpoint | HHS comments on the proposed threshold are due September 10, 2026 |
| Mitragynine | Not placed in Schedule I by the August 26 order | Federal scheduling status does not decide FDA marketing status or state law |
Federal timeline
| Date | Action | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| July 1 | DEA announced two temporary-scheduling notices | Public announcement of intended action, not an effective order |
| July 6 | Notices concerning 7-OH above a threshold and the three related compounds were published; HHS opened its threshold RFI | Started the statutory notice period and information-gathering process |
| August 25 | Justice Department announced emergency scheduling of MGPI, MGM-15, and MGM-16 | Described the upcoming order and MGPI enforcement-discretion policy |
| August 26 | DEA temporary order for MGPI, MGM-15, and MGM-16 published | Placed the three compounds in Schedule I immediately |
| August 26 | HHS published an extension of the 7-OH threshold comment period | Moved the RFI deadline to September 10; did not schedule 7-OH |
| September 10 | Extended HHS comment deadline | Comments are limited to the proposed threshold question |
The proposed 7-OH threshold
DEA’s July 6 notice describes botanical material of Mitragyna speciosa containing more than 0.050% 7-OH on a dry-weight basis. It also describes certain synthetic, alternative, or processed articles above 0.050% under the stated concentration measures or containing more than 1.00mg of 7-OH in an article.
These are proposed federal definitions for the temporary-scheduling process. Applying them to a specific product requires its chemical identity, physical form, processing history, analytical result, units, and product-stage evidence. A retail title or source-material COA alone is not a legal determination.
The August 26 order covers three different compounds
MGPI, MGM-15, and MGM-16 are chemically related to mitragynine or 7-OH, but they are not synonyms for mitragynine. DEA’s order covers the named compounds and specified forms such as their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and related salts when possible.
DOJ says the action targets deliberately manufactured and concentrated opioid products rather than traditional botanical kratom. DOJ will exercise enforcement discretion when only incidental trace MGPI is confirmed in a product otherwise consistent with botanical kratom. The policy is not a legal exemption, does not change MGPI’s Schedule I status, and does not extend to MGM-15 or MGM-16.
Why the pharmacology matters
7-OH, MGPI, MGM-15, and MGM-16 act as potent mu-opioid-receptor agonists. Federal sources describe risks including impairment, dependence, and respiratory depression. The shift from trace levels in botanical leaf to deliberately enriched or manufactured compounds is central to the agencies' public-health rationale.
Mitragynine is also psychoactive and can involve tolerance, dependence, or withdrawal. Its absence from the August 26 list of three compounds is a chemical and legal distinction, not a statement of safety or FDA approval.
Federal scheduling is not the only legal layer
FDA states that kratom and its known alkaloids are not lawfully marketed as prescription or over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, or conventional-food additives. That position is separate from DEA scheduling. States and local governments may also prohibit kratom, restrict certain product types, impose age or labeling rules, or affect shipping.
Use the Kratom Legality & Shipping Restrictions page for current KP destination screening, then check the responsible state or local authority. Product-page availability does not guarantee that an item can be shipped to or possessed in every destination.
How to evaluate a product record
- Identify the complete product title and chemical identity.
- Identify the physical form and whether the record covers botanical material, concentrate, or finished product.
- Match the sample or lot identifier and report date.
- Read 7-OH, MGPI, MGM-15, or MGM-16 results with their units, LOD, and LOQ.
- Read the effective federal order and any separate enforcement policy.
- Check FDA status and the destination’s state and local rules separately.
The MIT Product Documents & COA Center shows how current KP tablet and powder records are scoped. The 7-OH vs Kratom vs MIT page separates the core terms.
Frequently asked questions
Is all 7-OH federally Schedule I?
No temporary order for 7-OH above the proposed threshold was identified at this August 26 checkpoint. DEA’s notice described threshold-based control, while HHS extended threshold comments through September 10. MGPI, MGM-15, and MGM-16 are already temporarily Schedule I under a separate order.
Does the MGPI trace policy make MGPI legal in botanical products?
No. DOJ expressly says its enforcement discretion is not a legal exemption and does not change MGPI’s status.
Are MIT tablets and powder automatically legal everywhere?
No. The August 26 order did not place mitragynine itself in Schedule I, but FDA status and state or local rules remain separate. Check the destination and complete product record.
Where can I compare current MIT formats?
Read Looking for a Legal 7-OH Alternative? and MIT Tablets vs MIT Extract Powder.
Official sources
- DEA temporary order for MGPI, MGM-15, and MGM-16
- HHS extension of the 7-OH threshold comment period
- DEA notice for 7-OH above a proposed threshold
- DOJ emergency-scheduling announcement and enforcement policy
- FDA 7-OH process overview
- FDA and Kratom
Regulatory-document education only; no legal, medical, serving, or purchasing advice.