DEA Proposes Temporary Schedule I Classification for Kratom Compound

The Drug Enforcement Administration has announced its intent to temporarily place 7-hydroxymitragynine, a component found in kratom, into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This regulatory move is prompted by concerns over an imminent hazard to public safety. The temporary scheduling order is expected to be published in early August 2026 and will remain in effect for two years, with a possibility of extension.