In 2025, MGM-15 began emerging as another semi-synthetic version of kratom. Being that many states and the federal government were moving to ban 7-OH, manufacturers started selling MGM-15 to skirt those regulations. Over the spring and summer of 2026, the federal government took steps to schedule MGM-15, and the rule ultimately went into effect on August 26, 2026. MGM-15 is now a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States.
A history of the MGM-15 ban:
2026: Federal government takes steps to schedule MGM-15
- On July 1, the DEA filed a proposed rule to temporarily schedule MGM-15, MGM-16, and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (pseudo kratom). The document was scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on July 6, and to take effect on or after August 5, 2026.
- The rule was finalized and in effect as of late August, making MGM-15 federally controlled Schedule I drugs, and as such MGM-15 is illegal in all areas of the United States.
- The order is a temporary scheduling action set to last two years unless extended or superseded by further regulatory action.
States that explicitly banned MGM- 15 before the federal ban
There are only two states that officially scheduled MGM-15 as controlled substances, before the Federal government banned the substance.
Florida
After banning 7-OH in August 2025, on Monday, June 22, 2026, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced an emergency rule that MGM-15 and other 7-OH analogues were added to the 7-OH ban.
MGM-15 is a Schedule I controlled substance in Florida.
Ohio
Ohio scheduled 7-OH on May 19 2026. They were ahead of the game and included MGM-15 as part of the 7-OH related substances, to prevent manufacturers from replacing banned 7-OH with closely related analogs.
MGM-15 is a Schedule I controlled substance in Ohio.
States where MGM-15 legal status had been unclear before the federal ban
Before the federal government scheduled MGM-15, these states had unclear regulations on the legal status of the drug.
Missouri
Missouri has not scheduled MGM-15, but the Attorney General has aggressively pursued manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, making commercial sale of MGM-15 in Missouri legally risky.
California
California has not specifically scheduled MGM-15. However, the state has argued that products containing kratom alkaloids and 7-OH cannot legally be sold as foods or dietary supplements under the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law. Because MGM-15 is a synthetic derivative of 7-OH, it would likely face the same enforcement, although it is not expressly named in California law.
States where 7-OH was banned, with no information on MGM-15 (before the federal ban)
The following states banned 7-OH but do not mention MGM-15 by name in the legal language, nor in public discussion. Whether or not MGM-15 was legal in these states depends on the statutory language, particularly whether the law includes analogs, derivatives, or mitragynine-related compounds. Regardless, now that the federal government has scheduled MGM-15, it is illegal across the United States.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Vermont
- Tennessee
The national legal status of MGM-15
As of August 2026, the manufacturing, sale, or possession of MGM-15, as well as MGM-16 and mitragynine pseudoinm, are an immediate federal crime. That means that MGM-15 regulations apply in all 50 states.
Conclusion
The emergence, and ultimate scheduling, of MGM-15 highlighted the danger of using novel psychoactive substances. Although MGM-15 was legal in some jurisdictions, it is not a safe alternative to 7-OH. On the contrary, it is a highly potent opioid agonist with little human safety data available. Do not use any psychoactive supplement unless directed to by a medical professional.
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