American Kratom Association Challenges New York Times Report
The trade group claims the newspaper inaccurately described federal regulatory proposals regarding kratom products.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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The American Kratom Association formally requested a correction from The New York Times following a report on DEA opioid proposals. The organization argues the article failed to accurately explain the complex concentration limits and ratio testing requirements proposed by the agency.
Why it matters
The dispute centers on how federal agencies interpret scientific safety data and communicate regulatory controls to the public. Clarity on these standards is essential for the kratom industry as it faces potential new Schedule I classifications.
The DEA proposal sets a control threshold of 1 milligram per gram for solids or 1 milligram per milliliter for liquids. Additionally, controls are triggered if the mass ratio of mitragynine to identified alkaloids falls below 100.
The players
American Kratom Association
This is an industry trade group that advocates for the regulation and safety of kratom products in the United States.
Drug Enforcement Administration
This federal law enforcement agency is responsible for enforcing controlled substances laws and regulations in the United States.
A.G. Sulzberger
He serves as the publisher of The New York Times and is the primary recipient of the association's correction request.
Department of Health and Human Services
This federal department provides scientific recommendations to the DEA regarding the scheduling of substances.
The details
The DEA published a notice of intent in the Federal Register on October 14, 2026, outlining how specific opioid compounds in kratom would be regulated. The American Kratom Association claims the newspaper report misrepresented these technical requirements, while HHS maintains its recommendations were rooted in scientific findings.
Timeline
August 2026: The FDA implemented temporary scheduling for MGPI, MGM-15, and MGM-16.
October 14, 2026: The DEA issued a notice of intent in the Federal Register.
October 28, 2026: The New York Times published a report on the kratom industry.
October 30, 2026: The American Kratom Association requested a correction of the newspaper article.
November 13, 2026: The DEA may publish a temporary scheduling order.
Health Landscape
The current DEA proposal follows the regulatory pattern set by the Controlled Substances Act's Schedule I criteria for classifying substances with high abuse potential. This dispute highlights the tension between industry stakeholders and federal agencies over scientific interpretation.
For consumers, this regulatory activity may soon affect the availability of specific kratom products containing opioid compounds. Future federal scheduling could limit retail access or alter the chemical composition of products currently found on the market.
The takeaway
Understanding the technical thresholds for substance control is critical for industry participants and consumers alike. Regulatory updates often rely on specific mass ratios and concentration limits that dictate the legal status of commercial health products.
What happens next
The DEA is expected to publish a temporary scheduling order on or after November 13, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about federal efforts regarding controlled substances on the Substance Abuse page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fingerlakes1.
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