SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA — The temporary order imposes regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to Schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle or propose to handle these compounds. This scheduling remains effective until August 26, 2028.

The order extends to isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, esters, and ethers of mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 whenever their existence is possible. Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl is chemically identified as Methyl (E)-2-((1′S,6′S,7′S)-6′-ethyl-4-methoxy-3-oxo-3′,5′,6′,7′,8′,8a′-hexahydro2′H-spiro[indoline-2,1′-indolizine]-7′-yl)-3-methoxyacrylate.

MGM-15 is chemically identified as Methyl (E)-2-((2S,3S,7aS,12aR,12bS)-3-ethyl-7a-hydroxy-8-methoxy1,2,3,4,6,7,7a,12,12a,12b-decahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-2-yl)-3methoxyacrylate and is also known as dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine. MGM-16 is chemically identified as Methyl (E)-2-((2S,3S,7aS,12aR,12bS)-3-ethyl-9-fluoro-7a-hydroxy-8-methoxy1,2,3,4,6,7,7a,12,12a,12b-decahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-2-yl)-3methoxyacrylate and is also known as 9-fluorodihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine or 10-fluoro-dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine.

Timeline

The Drug Enforcement Administration notified the Assistant Secretary for Health of the Department of Health and Human Services of its intent to temporarily place mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in Schedule I in a letter dated December 15, 2025. The Assistant Secretary for Health stated that the Department of Health and Human Services had no objection to the temporary placement of mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in Schedule I.

The Drug Enforcement Administration's three-factor analysis regarding the temporary scheduling was dated May 2026. The agency published a notice of intent to temporarily schedule mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in the Federal Register on July 6, 2026. On August 24, 2026, the Drug Enforcement Administration issued the temporary order placing the substances in Schedule I, determining it necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety. The order imposes regulatory controls and sanctions on handlers and includes related chemical forms.

What's New

This report includes additional context identifying the Drug Enforcement Administration as a United States federal law enforcement agency.

How Sources Differ

The DEA Docket No. DEA-1644 Temporary Scheduling Order states that the Drug Enforcement Administration published a notice of intent to temporarily schedule mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in the Federal Register on July 6, 2026. Wikidata describes the Drug Enforcement Administration as a United States federal law enforcement agency.

Why It Matters

The temporary placement of these substances into Schedule I subjects them to the strictest regulatory controls under federal law. This designation applies administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions to any person who handles or proposes to handle mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16.

The Drug Enforcement Administration cited an imminent hazard to public safety as the basis for this emergency action. The order remains in effect for two years, providing a window for further evaluation while restricting access to these specific chemical compounds and their derivatives.