DEA Places Three Semisynthetic Kratom-Derived Compounds in Schedule I

Why it matters

The emergency scheduling of mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI), MGM-15 and MGM-16 cuts off legal sales of some of the most concentrated 7-OH-derived products sold in gas stations and smoke shops, while also blocking research into any therapeutic use of these compounds for two years.

The big picture

The action follows a year of escalating federal scrutiny that began when HHS recommended Schedule I status for concentrated 7-OH in July 2025. Natural kratom leaf remains unregulated at the federal level, but at least 22 states already restrict it and eight have banned it outright, reflecting a patchwork of state and federal responses to rising concern about semisynthetic derivatives.

Key findings

• DOJ and DEA classified MGPI, MGM-15 and MGM-16 as Schedule I substances for two years on an emergency basis, effective from the August 25 announcement
• MGPI is a high-potency, chemically rearranged derivative of 7-hydroxymitragynine; MGM-15 and MGM-16 are also semisynthetic 7-OH derivatives
• Addiction medicine physicians report a roughly tenfold increase in patients presenting with dependency on these products over the past year
• A researcher at the University of Washington warns the scheduling will halt research into any potential medicinal value of the compounds
• Natural kratom leaf is not affected by this action and remains federally unregulated, though not lawfully marketable as a drug, supplement, or food additive

What they say

"A year ago, I might see maybe one a week, and now we're probably seeing 10 cases a week," said Dr. Myles Jen Kin, medical director at Recovery Centers of America's Massachusetts location. "I think this is a necessary regulation that needs to happen."

Bottom line

**Federal regulators have drawn a hard line between natural kratom leaf and lab-modified 7-OH derivatives, banning the latter while leaving natural leaf products to a patchwork of state rules.**