Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in Schedule I
Key claim: The DEA proposes to temporarily place three 7-hydroxymitragynine-related substances (mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16) in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
Abstract
(Proposed Rule · Justice Department, Drug Enforcement Administration) The Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is issuing this notice of intent to publish a 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. When it is issued, the temporary scheduling order will impose 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.
Why this matters
Temporary Schedule I placement imposes the CSA’s most restrictive controls on manufacture, distribution, possession, and research of these kratom-derived analogs, criminalizing unregistered handling and sharply limiting legitimate research access. For patients and providers, the action signals continued federal tightening around kratom-related compounds even as the parent alkaloid mitragynine itself remains unscheduled at the federal level.