Restoration Recovery is an outpatient addiction clinic in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. The rapid regulatory shift around 7-hydroxymitragynine is a live topic for patients we see every week, because supply disruption — whether from a federal schedule or a state-level ban — affects whether they can safely taper or need to transition to treatment. This page is factual reporting on the federal scheduling status of 7-OH as of July 1, 2026; it is not legal advice. For state-level status, see our companion kratom laws by state tracker.
Federal status · as of July 1, 2026
7-OH is not federally scheduled
DEA review pending7-hydroxymitragynine is not a controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act — it is not on any schedule. The FDA recommended Schedule I classification for concentrated 7-OH products on July 29, 2025, but the DEA has not published a proposed rule, opened a comment period, or issued any scheduling order. Federal law and state law move on separate tracks: eight states already ban 7-OH along with kratom.
Federal schedule
Unscheduled
Not Schedule I–V; federally legal to sell and possess.
FDA recommendation
Schedule I
Sent to the DEA July 29, 2025 for concentrated 7-OH products.
DEA action so far
No proposed rule
Under review; no comment period or scheduling order issued.
State-level bans
8 states
Including Tennessee, effective July 1, 2026.
Where 7-OH federal status stands today
As of July 1, 2026, 7-hydroxymitragynine is not a controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act. It is not on Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V. It is federally legal to manufacture, sell, and possess, subject to general FDA authority over product marketing and labeling claims. The FDA does not approve 7-OH for any medical use, and products marketed with unapproved drug claims have drawn FDA warning letters. But possession itself is not a federal criminal offense.
The FDA still regulates 7-OH even without scheduling it. When 7-OH is sold as a dietary supplement or in food, the FDA treats it as an unlawful, adulterated product under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act — authority that does not depend on Controlled Substances Act scheduling. In December 2025, federal agents acted on that authority to seize roughly 73,000 units of 7-OH products from distributors. The same reasoning reaches analog products sold the same way, such as the MGM-15 chewables now appearing in the retail market.
How 7-OH got here — the federal timeline
The federal picture has been in motion since early 2025 and is expected to move further during 2026. Three federal actions built the case for scheduling; the DEA rulemaking that would actually ban 7-OH has not yet begun. Here is the sequence, and where the process stands today.
January 22, 2025 · Done
DEA “Drugs of Concern” designation
The DEA formally designated kratom (mitragynine) and 7-hydroxymitragynine as Drugs of Concern. The label signals abuse potential without scheduling anything; it created no criminal prohibition, but it is a predicate that can support a future scheduling action.
July 15, 2025 · Done
FDA warning letters to seven firms
The FDA issued warning letters to seven companies marketing 7-OH products, citing unapproved new drug claims and misbranding. The letters required labeling and marketing corrections but did not by themselves prohibit sale — they pre-positioned the agency for the recommendation two weeks later.
July 29, 2025 · Done
FDA recommends Schedule I to the DEA
The FDA formally recommended that the DEA classify concentrated 7-OH products as Schedule I. The scope is narrow and often misreported: it targets concentrated 7-OH products — tablets, gummies, drink mixes, shots — not natural whole-leaf kratom, which the recommendation did not propose to schedule.
As of July 1, 2026
DEA reviewYou are here
The DEA is reviewing the FDA recommendation and its supporting evidence — abuse potential, dependence liability, current medical use, and treaty obligations. This stage can take months. The DEA has not published a proposed rule, opened a comment period, or issued an emergency scheduling order.
Not yet started
Proposed rule in the Federal Register
If the DEA decides to proceed, it publishes a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register stating the schedule placement, legal basis, and a proposed effective date.
Not yet started
Public comment period
A comment window — typically 30 to 60 days, sometimes longer for high-interest substances — lets industry, medical associations, advocacy groups, and the public weigh in. The 2016 attempt to schedule kratom itself was withdrawn after heavy public opposition during comment.
Not yet started
Final rule & effective date
After reviewing comments, the DEA publishes a final rule with the scheduling placement and effective date. Only after that date do manufacture, sale, and possession of scheduled 7-OH become federal criminal offenses.
For a substance with 7-OH’s consumer and commercial profile, 18 to 36 months from recommendation to final rule is a reasonable estimate — faster if the DEA uses emergency-scheduling authority, slower if commentary raises procedural concerns. The DEA has not signaled that it intends to use emergency scheduling.
What the DEA is doing now
The DEA received the FDA’s Schedule I recommendation in late July 2025 and is reviewing it through the agency’s standard rulemaking process. As of July 1, 2026, the DEA has not:
- Published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to schedule 7-OH
- Opened a public-comment period
- Issued an emergency or temporary scheduling order
- Made any final scheduling determination
The DEA could use emergency-scheduling authority to place 7-OH on Schedule I without going through full notice-and-comment rulemaking, but the agency has not signaled that it intends to do so. The standard rulemaking process is the more likely path, and it takes time. For context, the 2016 attempt to temporarily schedule kratom itself was withdrawn after significant public opposition during a comment period; the DEA is likely cautious about repeating that process without broader consensus on 7-OH specifically.
Where 7-OH is banned at the state level
State law moves on a separate track from federal scheduling — and it moves faster. Where a state bans kratom, it almost always bans 7-OH along with it, because state statutes cover mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine together as “kratom alkaloids.” Tap any state for its statute, dates, and sources.
U.S. kratom & 7-OH status · July 2026
Tennessee’s ban took effect July 1, 2026
- Fully banned · 8 states Kratom and 7-OH possession, sale, and manufacture are criminal offenses.
- KCPA regulated-legal · 30+ states Legal for adults 21+ with labeling, testing, and a 7-OH concentration cap.
- Pending 2026 ban bill · 4 shown Legislation introduced or passed one chamber; not yet law.
- Reversed a ban · Rhode Island First state to move from prohibition back to regulated-legal.
- Other / no specific statute Kratom legal but without a KCPA framework in place.
The map is a quick reference. Some KCPA states also have active repeal bills (Georgia and South Carolina appear as both regulated and pending), and enforcement strictness varies. Every state, statute, effective date, and source is listed in the grouped cards below. For the full whole-leaf picture, see our kratom laws by state 2026 tracker.
Where 7-OH is illegal
8 statesAs of July 2026, eight U.S. states treat kratom and its 7-OH alkaloid as a controlled substance or otherwise prohibited product, including Tennessee as of July 1, 2026. Possession, sale, and manufacture are criminal offenses; the specific penalties and statutory mechanisms vary by state.
Tennessee
Effective Jul 1, 2026HB1649/SB1656, called “Matthew Davenport’s Law,” passed both chambers on April 16, 2026 with a Senate vote of 23-3. Gov. Bill Lee signed it into law on May 7, 2026 (Public Chapter 950); it took effect July 1, 2026, and covers 7-OH along with kratom. Penalties are Class A misdemeanor for knowing possession, Class C felony for manufacture, delivery, or sale, and Class B felony for sale to a minor. Tennessee is now the eighth fully-banning state. See our Tennessee kratom ban law article.
Connecticut
Newest · Mar 25, 2026Connecticut is the most recent addition to the banned-state list, with prohibition taking effect March 25, 2026. The statute follows a Schedule I classification model, criminalizing possession, sale, and manufacture of kratom and its alkaloid derivatives, including 7-OH. Retailers were given a compliance window to remove inventory before the effective date, and state enforcement has ramped up product seizures since.
Louisiana
Effective Aug 2025Louisiana enacted a full kratom ban in August 2025 via Senate Bill 154 (Act 41), making it the sixth fully-banning state at the time. The statute criminalizes possession, sale, and manufacture of kratom and its alkaloid derivatives. Post-effective-date enforcement has included retailer inspections and product-seizure authority; penalties escalate for repeat violations under the state controlled-substance statute.
Alabama
Schedule I since 2016Alabama was the first state to classify mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine as Schedule I controlled substances, under Alabama Code § 20-2-23, in place since 2016. Knowing possession of any quantity is a Class C felony; manufacture, delivery, or sale rises to a Class B felony. On March 25, 2026, the Alabama Attorney General issued a statewide cease-and-desist wave targeting branded kratom and 7-OH products. See our companion article on Alabama kratom law in 2026.
Arkansas
Schedule I since 2016Arkansas followed Alabama’s lead in 2016, adding mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine to the state’s Schedule I list. Penalties follow Arkansas’s general controlled-substance statute: possession is a felony, and trafficking carries multi-year prison exposure depending on quantity and prior record. Arkansas has not revisited its classification despite lobbying by kratom consumer groups.
Indiana
Synthetic-drug statuteIndiana classifies kratom alkaloids under its synthetic drug statute (IC 35-31.5-2-321) rather than a controlled-substance list, criminalizing possession, sale, and manufacture with penalty tiers comparable to controlled-substance offenses. The practical effect for consumers is the same: possession is a criminal offense and commercial retail is prohibited.
Vermont
Schedule IVermont placed kratom on its Schedule I controlled-substance list several years ago. Possession and sale are criminal offenses. Vermont treats mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine as a single regulated category rather than distinguishing natural whole-leaf kratom from concentrated 7-OH products.
Wisconsin
Schedule IWisconsin treats kratom alkaloids as Schedule I controlled substances under Wisconsin Statute 961.14. Possession and distribution are criminal offenses. Wisconsin has not adopted a KCPA-style regulatory alternative despite proposals to reclassify or exempt specific product categories.
How KCPA states cap 7-OH
30+ statesMore than thirty states regulate kratom under some version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. For 7-OH specifically, the load-bearing provision is the concentration cap: most KCPA states cap 7-hydroxymitragynine at 2 percent of total alkaloids and ban synthetic 7-OH additives. Concentrated 7-OH isolates — tablets, gummies, drink shots — usually exceed that cap, so they are effectively unavailable for legal retail sale in KCPA states even though natural whole-leaf kratom stays legal.
Potency
7-OH concentration cap Most KCPA states cap 7-hydroxymitragynine at 2 percent of total alkaloid content; some add absolute-milligram caps. This is the provision that pushes concentrated 7-OH products out of legal retail.Purity
No synthetic alkaloids Manufacturers cannot chemically modify kratom alkaloids or spike products with synthesized mitragynine or 7-OH isolates.Age
Minimum purchase age 21 Retailers must verify age before sale; selling to minors carries escalating fines and license consequences.Labeling
Full product labeling Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine content, serving size, batch/lot ID, expiration date, and a visible 21-plus warning.Some states are already extending controls to semi-synthetic 7-OH analogs. Ohio placed four mitragynine-related compounds in Schedule I together — 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine (the lab analog also known as MGM-15), and 7-acetoxymitragynine; the Ohio Board of Pharmacy rule took effect May 19, 2026. Regulators are also naming the analog directly: in June 2026 the Missouri Attorney General reached a settlement barring a distributor from selling “dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine (MGM-15).” Dependence on MGM-15 is treated the same way as 7-OH dependence — see our MGM-15 & Oxonol treatment page.
Bills that could ban 7-OH next
4 mapped · 9 with active billsSeveral states have active 2026 legislation that would move them between categories — and because these statutes cover mitragynine and 7-OH together, a pending ban is a pending 7-OH ban. The four amber states on the map above have cleared at least one chamber or formal committee action; whether they pass is uncertain, but Tennessee’s April 2026 passage shows ban legislation has more momentum than it has had in years.
Georgia
HB968 · proposed Schedule IHB968 would reclassify mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine as Schedule I and repeal portions of Georgia’s 2019 Kratom Consumer Protection Act (as amended by HB181 and HB757). As of July 2026, HB968 has not cleared either chamber. See our Georgia kratom law article.
South Carolina
H.4636 / H.4641 / H.4648 · repeal KCPASouth Carolina passed a Kratom Consumer Protection Act in 2025. Three 2026 bills — H.4636, H.4641, and H.4648 — would repeal it and reclassify kratom alkaloids (including 7-OH) as controlled substances. The bills are in committee as of April 2026; South Carolina would become the fourth state since late 2025 to move from regulated-legal to banned if any advances.
Washington
SB 6287 regulate · SB 6196 95% taxTwo competing bills. SB 6287 would establish a KCPA framework (age-21, labeling, testing), moving Washington into regulated-legal. SB 6196 would impose a 95 percent excise tax that observers note would be effectively prohibitive for retail. Both were active as of April 2026.
Michigan
House-passed · Senate pendingThe Michigan House passed a kratom ban bill on March 18, 2026. It is pending Senate consideration and, if enacted, would move Michigan into the fully-banned category on a Schedule I model similar to Alabama and Arkansas.
Introduced in five more states
Not yet advancedKratom ban bills were introduced in the 2026 session in Illinois, Kansas, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Maryland. None had advanced to a floor vote as of April 24, 2026. Ban bills frequently recur session after session, so introduction alone does not predict passage, but the breadth reflects the national momentum toward tighter kratom and 7-OH regulation.
Rhode Island — the first reversal
1 stateRhode Island had banned kratom since 2017 under a Department of Health action that placed mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine on the state’s prohibited-substance list. That ban was reversed effective April 1, 2026 — the first time any U.S. state has moved a controlled substance back to regulated-legal status after a prohibition.
Rhode Island
Reversed Apr 1, 2026The reversal came under the Rhode Island Kratom Act (R.I. Gen. Laws Ch. 21-28.12), which follows the Kratom Consumer Protection Act model: kratom is legal for adults aged 21 and older, subject to labeling, third-party laboratory testing, limits on 7-OH concentration, and a prohibition on synthetic alkaloid additives. Advocates argued that a full ban pushed consumers toward unregulated out-of-state and online vendors and increased exposure to adulterated products. Whether other banned states revisit their prohibitions remains an open question; for now, Rhode Island is the single data point in that direction.
For the complete whole-leaf-kratom picture — every state, statute, and citation — see our kratom laws by state 2026 tracker. For the two states nearest our clinics, see Georgia kratom law and Alabama kratom law.
What DEA scheduling would actually mean
If and when the DEA schedules 7-OH as Schedule I, the practical effects are substantial:
Federal law
A federal offense nationwide Manufacturing, distributing, or possessing 7-OH becomes a federal controlled-substance offense, regardless of state law.Retail
Sales stop everywhere Smoke shops, gas stations, and online retailers across the country have to cease 7-OH product sales on the effective date.Whole-leaf kratom
Leaf status unchanged If the action targets only concentrated 7-OH, natural whole-leaf kratom stays federally unscheduled; scheduling mitragynine itself would require a separate FDA recommendation and DEA rule.State overlap
KCPA states pulled in Ban states already prohibited 7-OH; federal scheduling would put the KCPA states in the same posture for concentrated 7-OH products.What this means for treatment
Federal or state scheduling does not change treatment for 7-OH or kratom dependence. Buprenorphine-based medication-assisted treatment (Suboxone, Sublocade, Brixadi) has an FDA-approved indication for opioid use disorder, and because 7-OH and mitragynine act on the same mu-opioid receptors as prescription opioids, buprenorphine is clinically effective for 7-OH dependence. These medications remain legal, insurance-covered, and protected by 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality rules regardless of how federal or state 7-OH status evolves.
If you are physically dependent on 7-OH products, do not stop abruptly to get ahead of a potential ban. Abrupt cessation from concentrated 7-OH produces opioid-style withdrawal that is relapse-prone and clinically difficult to manage without medication support. A supervised transition with buprenorphine is safer and more effective. Our providers treat 7-OH dependence specifically; see our kratom and 7-OH addiction treatment page and our explainer on why concentrated 7-OH products behave differently from natural kratom leaf.
Start treatment this week
Whether or not the DEA schedules 7-OH, buprenorphine-based treatment for 7-OH and kratom dependence is available now at all four of our clinics across Tennessee and North Georgia. Same-week appointments, most insurance accepted.
Common questions about 7-OH scheduling
Is 7-OH banned in the U.S. as of July 2026?+
What did the FDA recommend in July 2025?+
How long does federal scheduling take?+
Does 7-OH scheduling change treatment options for dependence?+
Can I still buy 7-OH products today?+
Where to check current status
Federal scheduling actions are published in the Federal Register. The DEA Diversion Control Division and the FDA press-release pages are the authoritative federal sources. For state-level 7-OH status, LegiScan, BillTrack50, and state legislature websites publish bill tracking and statute text. The American Kratom Association also maintains a state status tracker on the advocacy side. We update this article as federal scheduling status changes meaningfully.
This article is published for patient information only. It is not legal advice. If you have a specific legal question about 7-OH in your state or a cross-border scenario, consult an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
If you are dependent on 7-OH or kratom
The clinical picture for 7-OH and kratom dependence does not depend on federal scheduling. Buprenorphine-based MAT works, same-week appointments are available at all four of our clinics across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, and most insurance plans cover treatment. Call 423-498-2000 or book a callback when you are ready. Do not wait for a federal or state action to stop cold turkey — a supervised transition with medication is safer.
Related reading
Treatment
Kratom & 7-OH addiction treatment overview →Legal tracker
Kratom laws by state 2026: complete U.S. tracker →Drug identity
7-OH vs. whole-leaf kratom: why concentrated products are different →Tennessee
Tennessee kratom ban law 2026: HB1649/SB1656 detail →Georgia
Georgia kratom laws 2026: HB181, HB757, HB968 →Alabama
Alabama kratom laws 2026: Schedule I classification →Withdrawal
Kratom withdrawal timeline: what to expect →References
Primary federal regulatory sources cited in this scheduling tracker.
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Control Division. “Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth) — Drugs and Chemicals of Concern” (designation January 22, 2025). [DEA]
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “FDA Issues Warning Letters to Firms Marketing Products Containing 7-Hydroxymitragynine” (July 15, 2025). [FDA]
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “FDA Takes Steps to Restrict 7-OH Opioid Products Threatening American Consumers” (Schedule I recommendation to DEA, July 29, 2025). [FDA]
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. “Drug Schedules and the Scheduling Process” (Controlled Substances Act overview). [DEA]
- U.S. Federal Register (rulemaking publication portal). [Federal Register]
- Code of Alabama. § 20-2-23 (Schedule I; mitragynine and 7-OH). [State Code]
- Indiana Code § 35-31.5-2-321 (synthetic drug). [State Code]
- Louisiana Department of Revenue. “New Penalties for Kratom in Effect Aug. 1” (2025). [State]
- Wisconsin Statute 961.14 (Schedule I controlled substances). [State Code]
- Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. “DCP Applauds Passage of Controlled Substance Drug Schedule Updates” (effective March 25, 2026). [State]
- Tennessee General Assembly. HB1649 / SB1656 (“Matthew Davenport’s Law”), signed into law May 7, 2026 (Public Chapter 950). [LegiScan HB1649] / [LegiScan SB1656]