DEA and Department of Justice Scheduling of 7-OH and Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl 10.9.2026 Resolution of AKA litigation reinforces the critical distinction between chemically manipulated opioid products and natural kratom leaf, protecting consumer safety and lawful access WASHINGTON, D.C. — October 9, 2026 — The American Kratom Association applauds the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Justice for recognizing the importance of establishing specific scheduling thresholds for 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and mitragynine pseudoindoxylthat distinguish chemically manipulated opioid products from properly formulated natural kratom leaf products. justice.gov/opa/pr/departmen… AKA also welcomes the resolution of its litigation challenging the potential unintended consequences of the federal scheduling action involving mitragynine pseudoindoxyl. The litigation sought to ensure that federal drug-control policies targeting dangerous, chemically manipulated substances would not inadvertently criminalize natural kratom products containing incidental trace amounts of compounds associated with the plant’s alkaloid chemistry. “This is an important victory for science, sound public policy, and the millions of Americans who rely on responsibly manufactured natural kratom products,” said Mac Haddow, Senior Fellow on Public Policy for the American Kratom Association. “The DEA and the Department of Justice deserve recognition for addressing the critical distinction between dangerous, chemically manipulated opioid products and natural kratom leaf. That distinction is essential to protecting consumers without imposing an unjustified ban on lawful botanical products.” Targeted Scheduling Protects Consumers Without Unnecessarily Restricting Natural Kratom AKA has consistently supported appropriate federal action against products containing chemically manipulated or synthetically enhanced concentrations of 7-OH and related opioid compounds, which present materially different risks from traditional natural kratom leaf. However, AKA has also emphasized that scheduling actions must be carefully defined to avoid encompassing natural kratom products simply because sensitive laboratory testing may detect trace amounts of certain alkaloids or related compounds. The establishment of scientifically justified thresholds provides a more precise regulatory approach that focuses enforcement on products of concern while preserving access to natural kratom leaf and properly formulated products that comply with applicable standards. “Federal drug policy should target the substances and product formulations that actually create the risk,” Haddow said. “It should not punish consumers or responsible manufacturers because a scheduling order fails to distinguish a deliberately manufactured opioid compound from the incidental trace constituents of a natural botanical product.” A Model for Responsible State Regulation AKA urges state legislatures, attorneys general, and public health agencies to follow the federal government’s scientifically targeted approach rather than adopting sweeping prohibitions that fail to distinguish natural kratom products from chemically manipulated opioid substances. State laws should incorporate appropriate concentration thresholds, objective laboratory testing standards, and clear protections for natural kratom products that comply with responsible manufacturing and labeling requirements. AKA also calls on responsible manufacturers to support rigorous product standards, including accurate alkaloid disclosure, appropriate serving sizes, independent testing, and quality controls that preserve the natural alkaloid profile of kratom leaf. “The message to state policymakers should be unmistakable,” Haddow concluded. “We can aggressively restrict dangerous, chemically manipulated opioid products while preserving access to responsibly manufactured natural kratom. Consumer protection and consumer access are not competing objectives. With scientifically sound standards, we can accomplish both.” americankratom.org/news/dea-…

Update: The Products Reportedly Recovered in the Ole Miss Death Investigations Were Not Natural Kratom American Kratom Association to hold Oxford press conference Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m. CT on the misidentification of “Smax” Pseudo-DHM tablets as “kratom,” the need for accurate public information, and the scientific process that must follow The American Kratom Association is holding an important press conference tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30, at 10:00 a.m. CT in Oxford, Mississippi, and we are asking kratom advocates in the Oxford area and throughout Mississippi who are able to attend to join us. Recent reporting surrounding the deaths of two University of Mississippi students initially described products recovered in the investigations simply as “kratom.” According to newly released law-enforcement information cited in AKA’s media advisory apnews.com/press-release/ez-…, the products were identified as “Smax” Pseudo-DHM tablets, marketed as an MGM-15 product—not natural kratom. The AKA is asking news organizations and public officials to clearly distinguish natural kratom leaf from synthetic or chemically manipulated products being sold under the kratom name. At the same time, the AKA emphasizes that official toxicology findings have not yet been released and is not asserting what caused either death. 📍 Mississippi Advocates — Please Join Us Wednesday, September 30, 2026 10:00 a.m. Central Time Lafayette County Sheriff Building 711 Jackson Avenue East Oxford, Mississippi 38655 If you live in Oxford, Lafayette County, or the surrounding area, your presence matters. We encourage you to attend and stand with fellow Mississippi kratom consumers as the AKA works to ensure the public receives accurate information about the difference between natural kratom and synthetic products. Register to attend below: protectkratom.org/mississipp… For advocates who cannot attend in person, the press conference will also be livestreamed through the American Kratom Association YouTube channel. youtube.com/@americankratoma… Thank you, as always, for your time and advocacy