Policy · 2026-08-28
American Kratom Association Sues DEA to Prevent Natural Kratom from Being Swept Into Synthetic Scheduling Order
Source: Bloomberg Law
Why it matters
The largest pro-kratom industry organization has filed a federal lawsuit against the DEA, arguing that the August 26 temporary scheduling order for synthetic kratom compounds could be interpreted to include natural botanical kratom — a distinction the industry says is critical to its survival.
The big picture
The DEA's August 26 temporary order placed mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 into Schedule I. These are synthetic or semi-synthetic compounds derived from 7-hydroxymitragynine, not naturally occurring in kratom leaf. The American Kratom Association argues that without clarification, retailers and consumers may incorrectly believe all kratom is now scheduled. The lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.
Key findings
- The American Kratom Association filed suit in DC federal court challenging the DEA's August 26 scheduling order
- The AKA argues the order's language risks sweeping natural botanical kratom into the Schedule I classification
- The DEA's order targeted three synthetic substances: mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16
- Kratom companies face potential business shutdown if the order is interpreted broadly
- The AKA specifically argued the government must clarify that natural leaf kratom and naturally occurring mitragynine are not affected
What they say
According to Bloomberg Law, the American Kratom Association warned in its federal complaint that kratom companies will be forced to shut down if the DEA order is not clarified to exclude natural botanical kratom products from the Schedule I classification that now covers synthetic kratom derivatives.
Bottom line
The kratom industry's primary trade group is now in federal court arguing that the DEA's synthetic kratom scheduling order must be clarified before it shuts down the broader legal kratom market — a legal showdown that will define what 'kratom' regulation means going forward.