What is Schedule I?
Schedule I is the most restrictive classification under the United States Controlled Substances Act, reserved for substances defined as having a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. Heroin, LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin are all Schedule I substances.
In August 2016, the DEA announced its intent to temporarily place kratom’s two primary alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, into Schedule I using emergency scheduling authority. The public response was extraordinary. Over 140,000 people signed a petition opposing the decision, dozens of members of Congress wrote letters urging reconsideration, and scientists publicly objected that scheduling would halt ongoing research into kratom’s potential applications.
In October 2016, the DEA took the unprecedented step of withdrawing its scheduling intent, the first time the agency had reversed an emergency scheduling action in response to public comment. The DEA instead opened a public comment period and requested an evaluation from the FDA, which has not resulted in federal scheduling.
That moment galvanized the kratom community. It led to the formation and growth of advocacy organizations like the American Kratom Association, shifted the policy conversation from prohibition toward regulated access through frameworks like the KCPA, and remains one of the most significant events in kratom advocacy history.
How It’s Used
Schedule I classification comes up in legal discussions about kratom’s federal status and in broader conversations about drug scheduling policy. The fact that kratom remains unscheduled federally, despite the 2016 attempt, is a key reference point for advocates and consumers alike.
For consumers, understanding Schedule I helps contextualize kratom’s legal position. While kratom is not federally scheduled, some individual states have placed it on their own controlled substance lists. Always verify your state and local laws before purchasing.
Related Terms
See Also
- Legal Status, US federal kratom status
- Guides, History of kratom regulation
