People keep asking whether 7-OH is "banned," and the accurate answer needs one sentence of nuance. As of August 5, 2026, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) above a defined threshold is a federal Schedule I controlled substance under a temporary DEA order. The products most people mean when they say "7-OH" (isolate tablets, shots, gummies at 10–30 mg) are far above that threshold, so for practical purposes: yes, they're banned. Natural kratom leaf and compliant extracts under the threshold are not. Here's the rest.
This is a plain-language summary by a product and compliance team, not legal advice. Laws change; verify with primary sources and a lawyer if it matters to your business.
What the rule says
The DEA used its temporary scheduling authority to place 7-hydroxymitragynine in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. The key parameters:
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Substance | 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a kratom alkaloid and mitragynine metabolite |
| Threshold | Products exceeding 0.050% 7-OH by dry weight or 1.00 mg 7-OH per unit |
| Effective date | August 5, 2026 |
| Duration | Temporary order, two years (with the possibility of extension or permanent scheduling through rulemaking) |
| Below threshold | Natural kratom leaf and extracts under the limits are not covered |
The threshold is the important design choice. Kratom leaf naturally contains trace 7-OH, typically well under 0.05% of dry weight. The rule was written so that natural leaf and honestly made extracts stay legal, while concentrated or semi-synthetic 7-OH products don't.
Why the threshold matters
A 7-OH tablet sold in 2025 commonly contained 15–30 mg of 7-OH. The rule's per-unit limit is 1.00 mg. That's a 15–30x gap; there's no reading of the rule under which those products are compliant. By contrast, a kratom extract tablet like Tempo, standardized to 20 mg mitragynine in its 250 mg blend, contains only the trace 7-OH that came with the leaf, and every lot is tested to prove it's under 1.00 mg per tablet and under 0.050% by weight. That result is on each COA.
Both limits apply. A product could theoretically pass the per-unit test with a very small unit while failing the dry-weight test, or the reverse. Compliant manufacturers test against both.
What's still legal federally
- Kratom leaf: powder, crushed leaf, tea, capsules of leaf.
- Kratom extracts (tablets, liquids) with 7-OH verified under threshold.
- Blends like Tempo by Dialed that combine kratom extract with non-scheduled botanicals such as 13-OH corydalis.
- Mitragynine itself, which was not scheduled by this order.
"Federally legal" always comes with the asterisk that state and local law still apply. Six states ban kratom entirely, and several localities do too. See the state-by-state guide.
What's no longer legal
- 7-OH isolate tablets, shots, gummies and powders above threshold
- "Enhanced" kratom products that were spiked with 7-OH to raise potency
- Bulk 7-OH sold as a raw material
Selling, possessing or distributing these above threshold now carries Schedule I consequences. Retailers who cleared their shelves before August 5 did so for a reason.
How we got here, briefly
7-OH products arrived in the market around 2023–2024 as tablets and shots that were far more potent than leaf. The FDA issued warnings and took enforcement actions against 7-OH marketers through 2025 and recommended scheduling. The DEA followed with a temporary order using its emergency authority, which is designed for situations where an agency wants controls in place while a full rulemaking proceeds. Temporary orders last two years, with a possible one-year extension, and can become permanent through the standard process.
What happens next
Three realistic paths over the two-year window: the order lapses (unlikely given the trajectory), the order is extended, or 7-OH is permanently scheduled. None of those paths make 7-OH isolate products legal again in the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, mitragynine and natural kratom are subject to their own ongoing policy discussion at the federal and state level. We update this article when things change; the "updated" date at the top tells you when we last did.
Common misreadings of the rule
- "Kratom is banned." No. The order names 7-hydroxymitragynine, not kratom or mitragynine. Leaf and compliant extracts are unaffected federally.
- "It's only a two-year thing, so 7-OH will be back." Temporary orders exist to hold the line while permanent rulemaking proceeds. Betting on 7-OH returning to shelves is not a plan.
- "My state allows kratom, so 7-OH is fine here." Federal Schedule I applies in every state. State kratom laws govern leaf and compliant extracts; they don't override federal scheduling of 7-OH.
- "Under 1 mg per unit means I can just make the units small." Both limits apply. A tiny unit still has to be under 0.050% by dry weight.
- "Extracts are automatically over the line." Concentration raises 7-OH, but a properly diluted and tested tablet stays under both limits. That's exactly what a COA is for.
If you were using 7-OH products
A lot of people were. Some used them occasionally; some were using them heavily and daily. If you're in the second group, please talk to a clinician about stopping. We're a tablet company, not a medical resource, and we're not going to pretend a kratom extract product is a treatment for anything.
For people looking for a compliant product to move to, Tempo is built as the closest compliant alternative we know how to make: a 250 mg kratom alkaloid blend per tablet (full-spectrum kratom extract at 20 mg mitragynine plus 30 mg 13-OH corydalis extract of the 250 mg blend), cross-scored, lot-tested, and verified under the 7-OH threshold. It does not contain added 7-OH and won't feel identical to it. Read our transition guide, compare options in the best 7-OH alternatives, and visit the 7-OH alternatives page.
For retailers
If you sell kratom: pull anything labeled 7-OH, 7-hydroxy, 7-OHM or "enhanced" above threshold, ask every extract supplier for lot-specific COAs showing 7-OH under both limits, and keep those COAs on file. If you're in Florida, remember the state's own Kratom Consumer Protection Act requirements (21+, labeling) sit on top of the federal rule. Dialed publishes every COA and ships wholesale with documentation; details on the wholesale page.
Frequently asked questions
Is all kratom banned now?
No. The federal order applies only to 7-hydroxymitragynine above 0.050% dry weight or 1.00 mg per unit. Natural kratom leaf and compliant extracts remain federally legal, subject to state law.
How can I tell whether a tablet is compliant?
Look for a lot-specific certificate of analysis that reports 7-OH in mg per unit and % dry weight, from an accredited lab, with both numbers under the limits. If there's no COA or it doesn't report 7-OH, assume it's unverified.
Does Tempo contain 7-OH?
Tempo contains no added 7-OH. Naturally occurring trace 7-OH from kratom leaf is tested on every lot and verified under 1.00 mg per tablet and 0.050% dry weight. Results are published at /coas.
Important
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Not for use by anyone under 21. Keep out of reach of children. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Consult a physician before use if you have a medical condition or take medication. Do not operate a vehicle or heavy machinery after use. Kratom products may be habit-forming; use responsibly.
This article is for general information only and is not medical, legal, or professional advice. Kratom laws change frequently — verify current rules in your state and locality before purchasing. Tempo by Dialed does not contain added 7-hydroxymitragynine; every lot is verified below the federal threshold. Must be 21+ to purchase.
