Drug Enforcement Agency Declares Kratom a Schedule I Drug
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) recently announced that beginning September 30, 2016, the two major chemicals in kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, will be considered Schedule I drugs, or substances that have “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” By banning these active chemicals, the DEA can include both the plant and any synthetic equivalents. Kratom will join other Schedule I drugs such as heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and marijuana. The DEA proposed designating the drug as Schedule I for up to three years, and after that period of time, the status could be permanently extended. Up until [...]