The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has moved to temporarily place 7-hydroxymitagynine, known as 7-OH, and three related substances into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
7-OH is a minor alkaloid that comprises less than 2% of the total alkaloid content in natural kratom leaves. The highly potent, opioid-like compound is a concentrated and sometimes synthetic derivative of the kratom plant that can be five to 50 times more potent than regular kratom.
Here are four things to know:
1. HHS confirmed synthetic 7-OH and the three related substances — mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15 and MGM-16 — have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. One notice addresses 7-OH above a specified threshold, while the second covers the three related substances.
MP, MGM-15 and MGM-16 do not occur naturally in the kratom plant. MP is a chemical rearrangement product of 7-OH. MGM-15 and MGM-16 are synthetic derivatives of 7-OH.
2. When the temporary scheduling orders take effect, the manufacture, distribution, sale and possession of covered 7-OH substances will become subject to criminal, civil and administrative provisions of the Controlled Substances Act.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health also issued a request for information seeking public comment on the proposed 7-OH threshold level, according to a July 1 news release from HHS. The request asks whether additional scientific data support the proposed or an alternative threshold and whether alternative measurement expressions should be used. After the 30-day comment period, OASH will submit comments to the Attorney General for consideration.
Once comments have been considered and at least 30 days have passed since publication of the Notice of Intent, the Attorney General may issue a temporary scheduling order. The Controlled Substances Act authorizes temporary Schedule I placement for two years if necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety.
HHS recommended the decision.
3. The action targets synthesized products and those containing elevated concentrations of 7-OH. It does not apply to botanical kratom products containing naturally occurring 7-OH below the specified threshold. The DEA said commercial products containing synthetic 7-OH are marketed online and sold in gas stations, convenience stores and smoke shops in forms including powders, tablets, capsules, gummies and dissolvable strips. DEA laboratory findings indicate these products often contain higher amounts of 7-OH than naturally occurring botanical kratom.
4. In July 2025, the FDA issued warning letters to seven companies marketing products containing 7-OH. In December, the FDA, Department of Justice and U.S. Marshals Service seized approximately $1 million worth of unlawful 7-OH dietary supplement and food products from three firms in Missouri.
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