Feds Eye Schedule I for Tiny Kratom Ingredient
Published Date: 7/6/2026
Notice
Summary
The government is planning to temporarily put 7-hydroxymitragynine, a chemical found in kratom, into the strictest drug category (Schedule I) if it’s above a tiny amount. This affects anyone making, selling, or using kratom products with higher levels of this chemical. People have until July 31, 2026, to share their thoughts, and this move could change how kratom products are handled and sold.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Temporary Schedule I Placement for 7‑OH
The Department of Health and Human Services is supporting a DEA temporary order to place 7‑hydroxymitragynine (7‑OH) above a specified threshold into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act for up to two years. If the temporary order is issued, products or materials that meet the threshold would be treated as Schedule I substances; stakeholders have until July 31, 2026 to submit comments to the public docket (HHS‑OASH‑2026‑0232).
Numeric Thresholds That Trigger Controls
DEA's specified threshold would treat as Schedule I: (A) any Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) botanical material containing more than 0.050% 7‑hydroxymitragynine (7‑OH) on a dry weight basis; or (B) alternative articles (including synthetic products or processed extracts, concentrates, edibles, or pills) containing more than 0.050% 7‑OH by weight/volume/volume or containing more than 1.00 milligram of 7‑OH per article. Producers, processors, and sellers of kratom products that exceed these thresholds would be subject to the temporary scheduling action.
Public Comment Invitation on Threshold and Measures
OASH has opened a public docket (HHS‑OASH‑2026‑0232) and requests data and comments by July 31, 2026 on whether the identified 7‑OH threshold constitutes an imminent hazard to public safety and on possible alternative measurement expressions. Submitted comments will be provided to the Attorney General for consideration in the temporary scheduling decision.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13047 — Establishment Registration and Product Listing for Tobacco Products
The FDA wants to make sure all tobacco product makers, both in the U.S. and abroad, register their businesses and list their products. This new rule closes a big gap by including foreign companies, helping the FDA keep better track of tobacco products for public health. Comments on this proposal are open until September 14, 2026, so affected businesses should get ready to update their info and possibly face new costs.
2026-12069 — Medicare Program; Strengthening Oversight of Accrediting Organizations (AOs) and Preventing AO Conflicts of Interest, and Related Provisions
This new rule makes sure the groups that check Medicare providers play fair and follow clear rules to avoid conflicts of interest. It updates how psychiatric hospitals are reviewed and tightens rules for providers who lost their Medicare status but want back in. These changes affect Medicare providers and accrediting groups, start June 16, 2027, and aim to keep care safe and trustworthy.
2026-11530 — Employment and Training Services for Noncustodial Parents in the Child Support Program; Rescission
The government plans to cancel a recent rule that let child support agencies offer job training to noncustodial parents using federal funds. This change affects agencies and parents involved in the child support program and could shift how support services are funded and delivered. Comments on this proposal are open until August 10, 2026, so folks have time to weigh in before it’s final.
2026-11140 — Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Operations
Starting soon, health plans and insurers must share clearer info when they pay or deny surprise medical bills. They’ll use special codes to explain these decisions, especially when dealing with folks they don’t have contracts with. This helps patients and providers understand bills better and speeds up fixing disputes, with no extra costs for most people.
2026-10890 — Medicare Program; Alternative Payment Model Updates and the Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model
Starting July 1, 2026, Medicare is updating the Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model to help kidney transplant hospitals do even better at getting more people transplanted and improving care quality. These changes affect hospitals involved in kidney transplants and aim to make the process smoother and more effective, with new payment rules that reward success. This update is part of a 6-year plan running through 2031 to save more lives and boost patient experience.
2026-10292 — Medicaid Program; Medicaid Managed Care State Directed Payments and Medicaid Fee-for-Service Targeted Medicaid Practitioner Payments
This proposed rule changes how states can pay Medicaid managed care plans and certain doctors to make sure payments are fair, efficient, and encourage enough providers to offer quality care. It affects states, Medicaid managed care organizations, and targeted Medicaid practitioners, aiming to keep payments balanced and services available. Comments on these changes are open until July 21, 2026, so stakeholders have time to weigh in before it’s finalized.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-13607 — Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry on the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders
The U.S. Department of Commerce is checking if certain corrosion-resistant steel products made in China but finished in Thailand are sneaking around existing trade rules. This affects steel companies like Nucor and Steel Dynamics, who want these products to face the same duties as Chinese steel. Starting July 6, 2026, this inquiry could lead to new duties and impact steel prices and imports.
Next: 2026-13610 — Diamond Sawblades and Parts Thereof From China; Scheduling of an Expedited Five-Year Review
The U.S. International Trade Commission is speeding up a review to decide if special taxes on diamond sawblades and parts from China should stay or go. This affects U.S. businesses that make or sell these sawblades and could impact prices or imports soon. The review started because U.S. companies showed strong interest, while Chinese exporters didn’t respond enough.