The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced on Wednesday plans to temporarily classify 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a synthetic derivative of the kratom plant, as a Schedule 1 substance—placing it alongside heroin and LSD in the most restrictive drug category. The agency’s action, set to last two years with a possible one-year extension or permanent scheduling, aims to address public health concerns about the compound’s high potential for abuse and associated risks.

7-OH, which is found in certain synthetic kratom products, has been targeted due to warnings from government scientists about its addictive qualities and health dangers. While the DEA’s move bans supplements containing 7-OH, natural kratom supplements, derived directly from the kratom tree, remain unaffected by the new regulations despite federal health officials cautioning that natural kratom carries similar risks, including addiction, overdose, and liver damage.

The decision comes amid ongoing lobbying efforts by manufacturers of natural kratom products, who have sought to distinguish their offerings from synthetic 7-OH compounds. These makers argue that 7-OH poses greater public health threats and have campaigned to restrict it, coining terms like “gas station heroin” to highlight their concerns. The effort has received backing from influential figures connected to the previous Trump administration, including Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who holds financial ties to Botanic Tonics—a kratom supplement company founded by Jerry W. Ross—and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose political operation has received donations from Ross and his company.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) clarified that the DEA’s directive targets illicit synthetic versions of 7-OH rather than natural kratom leaf, emphasizing a focus on “bad actors.” Kennedy praised the DEA’s action, stating that HHS reviewed the scientific data supporting the scheduling change. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security echoed concerns about 7-OH, with Secretary Mullin describing it as a synthetic drug marketed to youths through deceptive means. Mullin had previously advocated for limiting restrictions on natural kratom while calling for stronger controls on 7-OH.

The scheduling move also encompasses related compounds, including MGM-145, which share similar chemical properties and marketing channels. However, enforcement may prove challenging due to the technical difficulties in detecting and measuring 7-OH concentrations, especially distinguishing synthetic derivatives from natural kratom products that contain only trace amounts.

Critics of the DEA’s limited scope argue that the agency should also regulate all kratom-based substances. Kevin Sabet, a former White House drug policy advisor, cautioned that focusing solely on 7-OH benefits kratom lobbyists who promote the natural product as safe despite evidence of its harms. He asserted that mitragynine, another kratom compound, also carries lethal risks.

Industry dynamics have influenced the regulatory landscape. Following Trump’s election, kratom companies increased lobbying efforts and political contributions. Ross donated significant sums to Kennedy’s presidential campaign and related political action committees. He also arranged private meetings with administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance, advocating for tighter control on 7-OH. Mullin’s disclosed investment in Botanic Tonics, valued at up to $1 million, raises potential conflict-of-interest questions, though Homeland Security officials assert that he complies with ethics rules.

Opponents of the ban include executives like Vince Sanders of CBD American Shaman, which helped popularize 7-OH. Sanders criticized kratom companies for leveraging political influence to suppress competing products, urging users to submit public comments opposing the scheduling.

The regulatory shift follows sustained debate in state legislatures over kratom’s risks, with advocacy groups calling for balanced approaches that protect consumers from harmful synthetic opioids while preserving access to natural kratom. Families of individuals who died after consuming kratom compounds have pushed for stringent bans on all forms, citing cases such as Austin Gibbs, who died in 2023 from lethal kratom exposure.

As the DEA moves forward with its temporary scheduling, questions remain about effective enforcement and the broader implications for the kratom industry and public health.