DEA Temporarily Places Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine into Schedule 1

The Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is issued a notice of intent on Aug. 31, 2016 to temporarily schedule the opioids mitragynine and 7- hydroxymitragynine, which are the main active constituents of the plant kratom, into schedule I pursuant to the temporary scheduling provisions of the Controlled Substances Act.

Kratom, which contains the main active alkaloids mitragynine and 7- hydroxymitragynine, has a long history of use in Southeast Asia as an opium substitute. Kratom is also known in Southeast Asia as thang, thom, krathom, kakuam, ketum, and biak. In recent years, the presence of the psychoactive plant kratom has increased dramatically on the recreational market in the United States due to its opioid-like effects. Numerous vendors selling kratom have appeared in the past few years, markedly increasing its availability. Kratom preparations, which contain the main active alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, are easily obtained from smoke shops and over the Internet.