Kratom, an over-the-counter herb with opioid-like effects, is facing renewed scrutiny on Capitol Hill as lawmakers push for federal action against its synthetic derivatives. The plant, native to Southeast Asia, has been linked to a surge in poison control calls and, most recently, the deaths of two University of Mississippi students.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Friday called on the Trump administration to finalize a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposed rule that would temporarily classify certain synthetic kratom products as Schedule I substances. Grassley described kratom as “special interest snake oil” and argued it should not be sold in gas stations, vape shops, or anywhere else.
The DEA’s proposed rule, published in July, targets products containing more than 0.05 percent dry weight of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a compound that can be 13 times more potent than morphine in its synthetic form. The rule would not affect traditional botanical kratom, which contains lower levels of 7-OH naturally.
Lawmakers from both parties have voiced alarm. Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) called kratom products “highly addictive and can be laced with even deadlier drugs.” Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) wrote on X that kratom is “dangerous drug killing children” and demanded the FDA and DEA act immediately.
Meanwhile, Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.) accused Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin of a conflict of interest, citing a New York Times report that Mullin held up to $1 million in a kratom company, Botanic Tonics. Levin noted that Mullin, as a senator, urged the FDA to soften kratom warnings, and that the Justice Department dropped a lawsuit against the company after Mullin’s nomination. DHS responded that Mullin follows ethics standards and has not lobbied for any company.
The push for a ban comes as the CDC reported a 1,200 percent increase in kratom-related exposure calls between 2015 and 2025, though deaths remain rare. The FDA has not approved any kratom use, and NIDA warns of side effects like dizziness, nausea, and constipation.
The DEA has also temporarily scheduled three synthetic compounds—MP, MGM-15, and MGM-16—found in candies and shots marketed as kratom extracts. These substances do not occur naturally in the plant and have been linked to the Mississippi student deaths, though autopsies are pending.
University of Mississippi officials have cautioned against speculation, urging the public to await official findings. The DEA’s proposed rule, if finalized, would last up to two years and could be extended for permanent scheduling.
As pressure mounts on the administration, the debate highlights broader concerns about congressional oversight and regulatory gaps in the supplement market.
