SC Labs’ Position on the DEA’s Proposed Scheduling of Synthetic 7-OH
On July 1, 2026, the DEA announced its intent to temporarily schedule concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and three related synthetic substances as Schedule I controlled drugs.
This is a proposed action, not a final rule: federal law requires a 30-day waiting period before any temporary scheduling order can take effect, meaning the earliest this becomes enforceable is early August 2026.
Here’s what this means for SC Labs clients:
- Natural kratom: No change.
The DEA’s action does not target botanical kratom leaf or powder containing only naturally occurring, trace-level 7-OH. SC Labs will continue accepting and testing natural-form kratom for potency and safety exactly as we do today. - Synthetic and semi-synthetic 7-OH: Changing.
The DEA’s proposed threshold is 0.050% 7-OH by dry weight in botanical material, or 1.00 mg or more of 7-OH in synthetically processed extracts, concentrates, edibles, capsules, gummies, and dissolvable strips. In anticipation of this action taking effect, SC Labs will no longer accept samples containing synthetic or semi-synthetic 7-OH at or above this threshold for testing.
We’re sharing this now so you have time to prepare, not because the rule is already in force. If you have products currently in our testing queue, or questions about how this may affect your specific formulation, please reach out to your account representative directly. We’re glad to walk through it with you.
Please note: We’re sharing this now so you have time to prepare, not because the rule is already in force. If you have products currently in our testing queue, or questions about how this may affect your specific formulation, please reach out to your account representative directly. We’re glad to walk through it with you.