Restoration Recovery is an outpatient addiction clinic in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. The rapid regulatory shift around 7-hydroxymitragynine matters if you use 7-OH, because supply disruption — whether from a federal schedule or a state-level ban — affects whether you can safely taper or need to transition to treatment. This page is factual reporting on the federal scheduling status of 7-OH as of October 2026; it is not legal advice. For state-level status, see our companion kratom laws by state tracker.
Federal status · as of October 2026
7-OH is not federally scheduled
DEA notice of intent issued7-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, and on July 6, 2026 the DEA published a notice of intent to temporarily place 7-OH above a specified threshold in Schedule I. On October 14, 2026 the DEA replaced that notice with a new one that covers 7-OH and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl above a new threshold. No scheduling order has been issued. Separately, ten states already ban kratom under state law.
Federal schedule
Unscheduled
Not Schedule I–V; possession is not a federal crime.
FDA recommendation
Schedule I
Sent to the DEA July 29, 2025 for concentrated 7-OH products.
DEA action so far
Notice of intent
Issued October 14, 2026, replacing the July 6 notice; no order yet.
State-level bans
10 states
Including Tennessee, Kansas, and Massachusetts, all added in 2026.
Where 7-OH federal status stands today
As of October 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. 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 MGM-15 chewables. MGM-15 itself has been temporarily in federal Schedule I since August 26, 2026 (91 FR 54948).
How 7-OH got here — the federal timeline
In July 2025 the FDA sent warning letters to 7-OH sellers and recommended that the DEA place concentrated 7-OH in Schedule I. On July 6, 2026 the DEA published a notice of intent to temporarily schedule 7-OH, and on October 14, 2026 it replaced that notice with a new one; no order has been issued as of October 2026. The timeline below shows each step.
Long-standing · Done
DEA lists kratom as a drug of concern
The DEA’s Diversion Control Division keeps a kratom fact sheet in its Drugs and Chemicals of Concern series; the October 2025 edition says kratom “is not a controlled substance or listed chemical under the Controlled Substances Act.” Being on this list does not make kratom a controlled substance.
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.
July 6, 2026 · Done
DEA notice of intent to temporarily schedule 7-OH
The DEA published a notice of intent in the Federal Register (91 FR 40917), filed as a proposed rule, to temporarily place 7-OH above a specified threshold in Schedule I under its temporary scheduling authority. It was replaced on October 14, 2026.
October 14, 2026 · Done
DEA issues a new notice with a new threshold
After an October 8, 2026 letter from HHS, the DEA published a new notice of intent (91 FR 65370) to replace the July notice, which it said it is withdrawing. The new notice covers 7-OH and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl in any product that meets either of two tests: it has more than 1 milligram of 7-OH, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, or the two combined per gram (or per milliliter for liquids), or it has less than 100 times as much mitragynine as 7-OH and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl combined. Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl has been temporarily in Schedule I at any amount since August 26, 2026; the DEA intends to move it into this new order, which covers only amounts above the threshold. The DEA says amounts below the threshold should not be read as safe.
As of October 2026
Temporary scheduling orderYou are here
No temporary scheduling order has been issued, and the October 14 notice says one will not be issued before November 13, 2026. If the DEA issues one, 7-OH above the new threshold becomes Schedule I on the day the order is published. Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, already temporarily in Schedule I, would move to the same order. A temporary order lasts two years and can be extended by one more year. Permanent scheduling would still go through notice-and-comment rulemaking in the Federal Register.
Not yet started
Proposed rule and comment (permanent scheduling)
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.
For a substance with 7-OH’s consumer and commercial profile, 18 to 36 months from recommendation to final rule is a reasonable estimate for permanent scheduling, which still needs standard rulemaking. The DEA’s temporary scheduling authority is faster: a temporary order takes effect without the full rulemaking. In its October 14, 2026 notice of intent, which replaced the July 6 notice, the DEA says it plans to use that authority for 7-OH and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl.
What the DEA is doing now
The DEA received the FDA’s Schedule I recommendation in late July 2025. On July 6, 2026 it published a notice of intent (91 FR 40917) to temporarily place 7-OH above a specified threshold in Schedule I. On October 14, 2026 it replaced that notice with a new one (91 FR 65370) that covers 7-OH and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl above a new threshold. The new notice says an order will not be issued before November 13, 2026. As of October 15, 2026, the DEA has not:
- Issued a temporary scheduling order for 7-OH
- Made any final scheduling determination
The October notice of intent uses the DEA’s temporary scheduling authority, which lets it place 7-OH in Schedule I without full notice-and-comment rulemaking once an order issues; permanent scheduling would still go through the standard process. The DEA used the same route for kratom itself in 2016 and withdrew that notice after strong public opposition.
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 · October 2026
All 50 states and D.C.: 10 ban kratom, 24 states and D.C. regulate it, 15 have no state law
- Fully banned · 10 states In most of these states, kratom and 7-OH possession, sale, and manufacture are criminal offenses.
- Legal, with state rules · 24 states + D.C. Age limits, labeling, licensing, or 7-OH limits, depending on the state.
- Reversed a ban · Rhode Island Banned 2017 to 2026; legal for adults 21 and older under state rules since April 1, 2026.
- No statewide kratom law · 15 states Legal at the state level; federal law and some city or county rules still apply.
- Ban bill passed one chamber · Michigan Still alive in the legislature in October 2026; not law.
Status as of October 16, 2026, checked against each state’s legislature or agency site. Banned states, Rhode Island, and the pending Michigan bill are detailed below; every other state’s law and source is listed in our kratom laws by state 2026 tracker, where each tile on this map leads.
Where kratom is illegal
10 statesAs of October 2026, ten U.S. states treat kratom itself as a controlled or prohibited substance. Four joined in 2026: Connecticut (Schedule I regulations approved in February), Kansas (mitragynine and 7-OH added to Schedule I by laws signed in April), Tennessee (July 1), and Massachusetts (a temporary emergency rule in August). In most of these states, kratom and 7-OH 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. See our Tennessee kratom ban law article.
Massachusetts
Aug 2026 · temporaryThe Massachusetts Department of Public Health placed kratom in Schedule 1 by a temporary emergency regulation published August 13, 2026 (105 CMR 726.000, “Temporary placement of kratom in Schedule 1”). Because the regulation is temporary, this status can change.
Kansas
Banned 2026Kansas banned kratom and 7-OH through two 2026 laws. House Bill 2365, approved April 10, 2026, placed 7-hydroxymitragynine in Schedule I. Senate Bill 430, approved April 27, 2026, added mitragynine, the main alkaloid in kratom leaf, to the same schedule. Both took effect on publication in the Kansas statute book.
Connecticut
Banned 2026Connecticut joined the banned-state list in 2026, when its Legislative Regulation Review Committee approved regulations placing kratom and its derivatives, including 7-OH, in Schedule I. Under that classification, possession, sale, and manufacture of kratom and its alkaloid derivatives are illegal. Retailers were given a compliance window to remove inventory.
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
Regulated drug since 2016Since January 1, 2016, Vermont has listed mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in its Regulated Drug Rule (12-5 Vt. Code R. § 23:7.0), which makes a listed drug illegal unless a licensed professional prescribes and dispenses it. The rule covers both alkaloids, so it reaches whole-leaf kratom and concentrated 7-OH products alike.
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 regulating states limit 7-OH
24 states + D.C.Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia regulate kratom sales, most under some version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act; each one is listed with its law in our kratom laws by state tracker. Some of them, including Florida, Kentucky, North Dakota, Ohio, and Utah, also list concentrated 7-OH as a controlled substance while leaving leaf kratom legal. For 7-OH specifically, the rule that matters most 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 in most regulating states and 18 in the rest; retailers may not sell to anyone younger.Labeling
Full product labeling Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine content, serving size, batch/lot ID, expiration date, and a visible 21-plus warning.MGM-15 has been temporarily in federal Schedule I since August 26, 2026 (91 FR 54948), and some states had already extended 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
Checked October 16, 2026Most legislatures finished their 2026 sessions by June, so most 2026 kratom bills are no longer alive. State ban bills cover mitragynine and 7-OH together, so a kratom ban bill would also ban 7-OH.
Michigan
H.B. 5537 · ban · passed the HouseHouse Bill 5537 would make producing and selling kratom a crime. It passed the House 56–48 on March 18, 2026 and has been in the Senate Committee on Government Operations since March 24. Michigan’s legislature meets year-round, so the bill stays alive until the current session ends.
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 a U.S. state has reversed a kratom ban.
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. As of October 2026, no other state has reversed a kratom ban.
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 above the threshold Manufacturing, distributing, or possessing 7-OH above the threshold the DEA sets becomes a federal controlled-substance offense, regardless of state law.Retail
Above-threshold sales stop Smoke shops, gas stations, and online retailers across the country have to cease sales of 7-OH products above that threshold on the effective date.Whole-leaf kratom
Mitragynine itself is not covered The notice does not schedule mitragynine. It covers 7-OH and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl only in products over the 1-milligram-per-gram limit or under the 100-to-1 mitragynine ratio, and the DEA says amounts below the threshold should not be read as safe.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 October 2026?+
What did the FDA recommend in July 2025?+
How long does federal scheduling take?+
Does 7-OH scheduling change treatment options for dependence?+
Is 7-OH legal in my state?+
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.
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 request 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, Drug & Chemical Evaluation Section. “Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)” fact sheet (October 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. Drug Enforcement Administration. “Schedules of Controlled Substance: Temporary Placement of 7-Hydroxymitragynine Above a Specified Threshold in Schedule I,” notice of intent, 91 FR 40917, FR Doc. 2026-13580, Docket No. DEA-1570 (July 6, 2026; withdrawn and replaced October 14, 2026). [Federal Register]
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. “Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in Schedule I,” temporary scheduling order, 91 FR 54948, FR Doc. 2026-17429, Docket No. DEA-1644 (August 26, 2026). [Federal Register]
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. “Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of 7-Hydroxymitragynine and Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl Above a Specified Threshold in Schedule I,” notice of intent, 91 FR 65370, FR Doc. 2026-20943, Docket No. DEA-1570 (October 14, 2026). [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” (February 24, 2026). [State]
- Tennessee General Assembly. HB1649 / SB1656 (“Matthew Davenport’s Law”), signed into law May 7, 2026 (Public Chapter 950). [LegiScan HB1649] / [LegiScan SB1656]