DEA to Temporarily Ban Synthetic Kratom

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) this week announced its intent to temporarily ban supplements containing a synthetic version of kratom, reported The New York Times. 

Kratom is a product derived from the leaves of an evergreen tree found in Southeast Asia that can have opioid-like effects on some users but is largely unregulated by the federal government in its natural form. Synthetic forms of Kratom have been subject to federal enforcement action. 

The agency said it plans to classify an addictive psychoactive compound called 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, in the same category as heroin and LSD, which are drugs that are illegal to buy or sell.

Many Kratom based products are available in retail outlets today, including some convenience stores. In December 2025, the FDA warned that Kratom cannot be legally sold in the United States as a drug, food additive or dietary supplement. In July 2025, the FDA took the first steps in the process to label the concentrated synthetic form of Kratom, known as 7-OH, as a Schedule I drug.

NACS believes that clear and concise rules should be established by federal regulators to ensure that these products can be safely sold and are properly regulated.

NACS believes there should be a regulatory structure for intoxicating products that provides:

• Regulatory certaintyregardingwhich products can and cannot be sold (natural vs. synthetic products, etc.).
• Restrictions on sales of these products to consumers 21 years of age or older.
• Clear labeling requirements for the levels of intoxicants contained within these products.
• Sound manufacturing practices to ensure products are safe for consumers.

The DEA announcement indicates that the formal temporary rescheduling order will be published in 30 days.  The order will ban any products containing more than 0.050% of 7-OH by dry weight, allowing for a very small amount of 7-OH that may occur naturally.