Kratom: Research, Laws and Buyer Guides for 2026

Kratom leaf is not federally scheduled in the United States. DEA's 14 October 2026 notice targets 7-OH and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl above a threshold, not mitragynine or plain leaf. State law is a patchwork: some states ban kratom or 7-OH outright, while others regulate sales through a Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Check the current rules where you live before buying.

Kratom is the leaf of Mitragyna speciosa, and its main alkaloid is mitragynine. 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) occurs only in trace amounts in the leaf, but some products concentrate it or make it from mitragynine. Laboratory research shows 7-OH is far more potent at the mu-opioid receptor, which is why regulators treat high-7-OH products differently from leaf.

Not yet. On 14 October 2026 DEA published a revised notice of intent to temporarily place 7-OH and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl in Schedule I above more than 1 mg per gram or mL, or where the mitragynine-to-7-OH ratio is below 100. The order cannot be published before 13 November 2026, and several states already restrict 7-OH products.

Usually not on standard five- and ten-panel workplace tests, which do not screen for mitragynine or 7-OH. Specialised mass spectrometry assays can detect both, and these are ordered deliberately in settings such as clinical toxicology, treatment monitoring and forensic casework. Detection windows vary widely between individuals, so no published figure predicts a single person's result.

Look for a batch-specific certificate of analysis from an accredited independent lab that reports mitragynine and 7-OH content, heavy metals and microbial results, with a batch number that matches your package. An undated or generic report, or one issued by the brand itself, is a red flag. Our COA guides walk through each section of a real report.