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 substances. This regulatory action remains effective until August 26, 2028.

The scheduling order includes 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.

Why It Matters

The temporary placement of these substances into Schedule I subjects them to the highest level of regulatory control under federal law. This classification applies administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions to any individual or entity that handles or proposes to handle mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16.

The order remains in effect until August 26, 2028, providing a two-year window during which these substances are treated as having no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. The Drug Enforcement Administration cited an imminent hazard to public safety as the justification for bypassing the standard permanent scheduling process.

Timeline

The Drug Enforcement Administration transmitted notice of intent to temporarily place mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in Schedule I to the Assistant Secretary for Health of the Department of Health and Human Services on 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 on January 20, 2026.

The Assistant Secretary for Health responded on January 20, 2026, stating that the Food and Drug Administration found no investigational new drug applications or approved new drug applications for mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted a three-factor analysis dated May 2026 regarding the substances. 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.

The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a temporary scheduling order placing mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act on August 24, 2026. The Drug Enforcement Administration stated that placing mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in Schedule I is necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety on August 24, 2026. 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 substances on August 24, 2026.

What's New

Later reporting identifies the Drug Enforcement Administration as a United States federal law enforcement agency. This detail provides additional context regarding the authority issuing the temporary scheduling order.

How Sources Differ

Wikidata states that the Drug Enforcement Administration is a United States federal law enforcement agency.