Is Kratom or 7-OH Legal in Washington?

As of this review, kratom itself and mitragynine were not confirmed as federally scheduled controlled substances. FDA, however, states that kratom is not lawfully marketed as a dietary supplement, cannot lawfully be added to conventional foods, and is not approved as a drug for any medical use.

The 7-OH situation is different and more active. DEA announced action in 2026 targeting 7-hydroxymitragynine above a proposed threshold and several 7-OH-related synthetic or semisynthetic compounds. DEA has temporarily placed mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 into Schedule I, effective August 26, 2026. The separate 7-OH-above-threshold action should be checked regularly because the official process is active and time-sensitive.

Washington has also considered kratom-related legislation and rulemaking. The exact statewide status should be checked before relying on it, along with any city or county restrictions.

Kratom usually refers to products made from the Mitragyna speciosa plant. Traditional products may include leaf powder, capsules, or tea-like preparations.

7-OH stands for 7-hydroxymitragynine. It occurs naturally in kratom leaf at low levels, but commercial 7-OH products may contain enhanced, concentrated, synthetic, or semisynthetic forms. These products may be sold as tablets, gummies, shots, drink mixes, strips, or other forms.

That distinction matters because federal agencies have focused particular attention on concentrated and synthetic 7-OH-related products.

Kratom and mitragynine

Kratom is listed by DEA as a drug of concern, and FDA has ongoing safety concerns. FDA states that there are no FDA-approved kratom drug products or over-the-counter kratom products legally marketed in the United States.

FDA also states that kratom is not lawfully marketed as a dietary supplement and cannot lawfully be added to conventional foods. In practice, this means kratom may be sold in many places, but FDA does not consider kratom products approved, proven safe, or legally marketed as supplements or foods under federal food and drug law.

7-OH above a proposed threshold

On July 6, 2026, DEA published a Notice of Intent to temporarily place 7-hydroxymitragynine above a specified threshold into Schedule I. The proposed threshold described in the DEA notice includes botanical kratom material with more than 0.050% 7-OH on a dry-weight basis and certain synthetic or processed articles with more than 0.050% 7-OH or more than 1.00 milligram of 7-OH in the article.

HHS separately opened a request for information on the proposed threshold. On August 26, 2026, HHS extended the comment period to September 10, 2026. Because that process is active, this page should be reviewed regularly.

Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16

DEA issued a separate temporary scheduling order for three 7-OH-related substances: mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16. That order was published August 26, 2026 and places those substances in Schedule I through August 26, 2028, unless extended or made permanent through a later process.

DOJ has described this action as targeting manufactured products containing potent opioids chemically related to mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine. DOJ also stated that this action is directed at deliberately manufactured and concentrated opioid products, not traditional botanical kratom.

Washington has considered multiple kratom-related actions. In 2024, the Washington Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission filed a preproposal statement considering whether to add kratom and its active compounds to Schedule I under state rules. That notice stated that kratom was not then listed as a controlled substance in Washington RCW or WAC.

During the 2026 session, Washington lawmakers introduced kratom bills, including HB 2291 and SB 6287. These proposals addressed issues such as product standards, labeling, age restrictions, testing, licensing, and limits on certain 7-OH content. The official bill-history sources reviewed for this page did not confirm a final enacted statewide law from those bills.

Because state law can change and local governments may also act, patients should check current law before relying on older legal-status information.

Many people search legal-status questions because they are worried about whether they can keep buying kratom or 7-OH. If you are physically dependent, the bigger question may be: what happens if access changes suddenly?

Abruptly stopping kratom or 7-OH can cause withdrawal symptoms. Some people respond by taking higher doses, switching products, mixing substances, or looking for other opioids. Those choices can increase risk.

If you are worried about withdrawal, treatment can help you make a plan before things become urgent.

Treatment starts with an assessment. A provider needs to understand what you are taking, how much you use, how long you have been using it, what happens when you stop, and whether mental health symptoms, pain, opioid use, alcohol use, benzodiazepines, or other substances are part of the picture.

Some people may benefit from medication management, limited therapy availability, supportive follow-up, taper planning, treatment for anxiety or depression, or coordination with a higher level of care. Published medical literature describes buprenorphine/naloxone as a possible treatment option for some patients with kratom dependence or opioid-like withdrawal, but treatment decisions should be individualized after evaluation.

Medtriq provides telehealth-first substance-use care for adults across Washington State.

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Is kratom banned in Washington?

The official sources reviewed for this page did not confirm a statewide Washington ban on kratom. However, Washington has considered kratom-related rulemaking and legislation, and local restrictions may vary. Legal-status information should be checked against current federal, state, and local sources.

Is 7-OH banned federally?

The answer depends on which substance you mean. DEA has temporarily scheduled mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16, which are 7-OH-related substances. DEA also published a Notice of Intent for 7-OH above a proposed threshold, and HHS extended the threshold comment period to September 10, 2026. Because this is changing quickly, current Federal Register updates matter.

Is kratom FDA approved?

No. FDA states that there are no FDA-approved kratom drug products or over-the-counter drugs containing kratom that are legally marketed in the United States.

Can I get in trouble for possessing 7-OH products?

This depends on federal law, state law, local law, the product contents, and timing. Some 7-OH-related substances are now federally scheduled. If you are asking because you currently possess or use these products, speak with a qualified legal professional for legal advice and consider seeking medical help if you are dependent or worried about withdrawal.

What should I do if I cannot buy kratom or 7-OH anymore and I feel sick?

If symptoms are severe, unsafe, or you feel at risk of harming yourself, seek urgent medical help. If you are not in immediate danger but are worried about withdrawal, start a substance-use intake or call/text Medtriq. A provider can help determine what kind of support is appropriate.

Can Medtriq treat kratom or 7-OH withdrawal?

Medtriq can evaluate kratom and 7-OH use as part of substance-use treatment. The treatment plan depends on your assessment. Medication may be discussed when clinically appropriate, but care is individualized.

Should I wait to see what DEA does before asking for help?

If you are using daily, having withdrawal, escalating your dose, or scared of losing access, it is better to seek care now. Legal uncertainty can make dependence more stressful, and a planned treatment discussion is safer than waiting for a sudden supply disruption.

• Kratom Use and Treatment
• 7-OH Use and Treatment
• Substance Use Treatment
• Opioid Use Disorder
• Medications for Addiction Treatment

• DEA: Temporary scheduling announcement
• Federal Register: 7-OH Notice of Intent
• Federal Register: HHS comment-period extension
• Federal Register public-inspection document: Temporary order for mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16
• DOJ: Emergency scheduling announcement
• FDA: FDA and Kratom
• FDA: 7-OH consumer warning
• Washington DOH/PQAC preproposal statement