The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced that the active materials in the kratom plant (Mitragyna speciose), mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, will be placed into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act beginning September 30, 2016, joining drugs such as heroin and LSD. According to the DEA, kratom is abused for its opioid-like effects and that this action is necessary to "avoid an imminent hazard to public safety." While never recognized as a legal dietary ingredient, kratom has been sold in dietary supplements throughout the United States. In January 2016, 90,000 bottles of supplements containing kratom manufactured for Dordoniz Natural Products LLC were seized by U.S. Marshalls. Between 2010 and 2015, U.S. poison centers have received 660 calls related to the plant.
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