States and federal agencies tighten rules on potent synthetic kratom products amid rising poison-center reports

The market for kratom is shifting as products containing concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and other semi-synthetic derivatives appear alongside traditional leaf forms. In the 2025-2026 legislative sessions, lawmakers in 36 states filed measures to regulate kratom, 7-OH or synthetic compounds, and many jurisdictions have already imposed bans, age restrictions, labeling rules or potency limits. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled three synthetic analogues—mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15 and MGM-16—in Schedule I through August 2028, while botanical kratom remains unscheduled.

Poison-center data show 14,449 kratom exposure reports from 2015-2025, with a 1,200 % rise in 2025 and a continuing upward trend. Researchers note the data do not distinguish between leaf and synthetic products, limiting risk assessment. Health professionals highlight the lack of quality control and call for studies on safety, dosing and potential therapeutic uses. Advocacy groups argue that regulation rather than criminalization would better protect consumers.