Louisiana has expanded its restrictions on kratom-related substances, adding three compounds to the state's Schedule I controlled substances list through an emergency rule announced October 19, 2026.
The action follows Louisiana's 2025 ban on kratom and comes as federal authorities are taking additional steps to regulate potent opioid substances associated with kratom products.
The growing regulatory attention also raises questions about the safety of products already sold to consumers and the potential responsibility of manufacturers and sellers when those products cause serious harm.
Why Louisiana Added More Kratom-Related Substances to Schedule I
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) identified the substances as mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI), MGM-15, and MGM-16. State health officials cited concerns about their potential for abuse and serious health effects, including dependence and respiratory depression.
LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein determined that immediate action was necessary to protect public health. According to the department, early research indicates these compounds act on the same receptors in the body as other opioids and may carry similar risks.
Schedule I substances are classified as having a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the U.S., and a lack of accepted safety under medical supervision.
Unlike the broader Louisiana kratom ban, the latest emergency rule specifically adds these three compounds to Schedule I. The rule covers products containing any amount of the listed substances, subject to certain exceptions, including FDA-approved pharmaceutical products. It will remain in effect for the maximum period allowed by Louisiana law or until a final rule is adopted.
Federal Regulators Are Also Targeting Concentrated Kratom Compounds
On October 9, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice announced updated emergency scheduling actions involving 7-OH and the three related opioid compounds included in Louisiana's emergency rule.
The Drug Enforcement Administration had temporarily placed MGPI, MGM-15, and MGM-16 into Schedule I in August 2026. The DEA is issuing updated notices based on new scientific recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Federal health officials are looking at the concentrations of 7-OH and MGPI in kratom products. While 7-OH occurs naturally in small amounts, and MGPI may also be present in trace amounts, some products contain much higher concentrations of these compounds.
That raises questions about what consumers are actually buying. A product's label may not make clear how potent it is or whether certain compounds have been added or concentrated during manufacturing.
What the New Rules Mean for Kratom Injury and Wrongful Death Cases
Louisiana's new restrictions don't necessarily answer questions about responsibility when someone suffers a serious injury or dies after using a kratom product. Someone may have purchased it before the substance was restricted, or it may contain ingredients that were not clearly disclosed. In either case, determining responsibility requires a close look at the product itself.
An investigation may examine which substances were present and at what concentrations, how the product was manufactured, whether consumers received adequate warnings, and what the manufacturer knew or should have known about potential risks.
The deaths of two University of Mississippi students have brought renewed attention to kratom-related products. Toxicology testing identified mitragynine and other substances in both cases, although their precise role in the deaths hasn't been conclusively established.
Under Louisiana law, manufacturers may be held responsible for injuries caused by unreasonably dangerous products, including certain defects in manufacturing, design, or warnings. The facts may also raise questions about distributors' and sellers' conduct.
The fact that a substance is now controlled doesn't automatically establish liability for an earlier injury. Each case depends on the evidence and the circumstances surrounding the product's use.
For families dealing with a serious injury or unexpected death involving a kratom product, finding out exactly what happened may require medical records, product testing, and information about how the product was made and sold.
At Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain, we investigate kratom product liability and wrongful death claims, including potential failures involving product ingredients, manufacturing, and safety warnings. Anyone with questions about a serious injury or death involving a kratom product can contact our firm to discuss the circumstances and potential legal options.
