DEA Bans Kratom Knockoffs MGM-15, 16 Overnight
Published Date: 8/26/2026
Rule
Summary
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is issuing this temporary order to schedule three 7-hydroxymitragynine-related substances (mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16), including their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, esters, and ethers, whenever the existence of such isomers, esters, ethers, and salts is possible, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. DEA bases this action on a finding that placing mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in schedule I is necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety. This order imposes the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis with, or possess) or propose to handle these three 7-hydroxymitragynine-related substances.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Three MGM Compounds Placed in Schedule I
The DEA temporarily placed mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in Schedule I effective August 26, 2026 through August 26, 2028. This imposes the regulatory controls and the administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions that apply to Schedule I substances on anyone who manufactures, distributes, imports, exports, researches, analyzes, or possesses these substances.
Broad Chemical Coverage Included
The temporary scheduling covers mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 as well as their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, esters, and ethers whenever such variants can exist. That means these chemical variants are treated as Schedule I substances under this order.
Research and Clinical Use Restricted
HHS advised that there are no approved new drug applications (NDAs) or investigational new drug applications (INDs) for these substances, and HHS had no objection to the temporary Schedule I placement. The order therefore places Schedule I controls on research, instructional activities, and chemical analysis involving these compounds.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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